Dr. Brent Boyett received his doctorate in dental medicine from the University of Alabama at Birmingham and his osteopathic medical degree from the University of Health Sciences in Kansas City Missouri. He completed his residency in Family Medicine through the University of Mississippi and currently holds a board certification in Family Medicine and two board certifications in Addiction Medicine.  He has been recognized as a Distinguished Fellow by the American Society of Addiction Medicine.  Dr. Boyett has served as the President of The Alabama Osteopathic Medical Association and the Alabama Society of Addiction Medicine and he currently sits on the national board for The American Society of Addiction Medicine.  He has served as the principal investigator for numerous clinical trials, working to develop of variety of pharmaceuticals and medical devices with a particular focus in the research of buprenorphine and buprenorphine delivery systems.  Dr. Boyett is the founder and former chief medical officer of Pathway Healthcare which focuses on the outpatient treatment of substance use disorders in 13 locations throughout 4 states.  Dr. Brent Boyett is now working with North Mississippi Medical Center Neuroscience Department, practicing Addiction Medicine, and He is dedicated to continued growth in the rapidly evolving medical environment of addiction medicine. Today, his primary focus is on addiction treatment and research, he remains on the cutting edge of technology and training.  Giving back to his profession, he is a proctor to medical students, an international speaker and educator in the field of addiction medicine and serves on the board of trustees for the Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine. 

Wendi Hogue is the FREEDOM Project Director with the VitAL Initiative in the School of Social Work at The University of Alabama. VitAL is committed to improving the wellness of Alabama’s communities through training and education, service and implementation, research and evaluation, and community engagement. FREEDOM is a grant-funded program to reduce the number of opioid-related deaths in Alabama. Wendi holds her M.Ed. from The University of Montevallo in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and Marriage and Family Therapy. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor and a National Certified Counselor. She came to The University of Alabama after working in Community Mental Health for four years. She began at Brewer Porch Children’s Center as a Therapist moving to The Office of Disability Services as an Accommodation Specialist prior to coming on board with FREEDOM in 2019. She works part-time in her private practice, treating clients struggling with substance use disorder, anxiety, ADHD, depression, and trauma.  

Ryan Leaf is a former American football player who was a quarterback in the National Football League (NFL) for four seasons. He played for the San Diego Chargers and the Dallas Cowboys between 1998 and 2001, and also played for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Seattle Seahawks.

Leaf spent his college career with the Washington State Cougars, where he was a finalist for the Heisman Trophy after his junior year. He was selected as the second overall pick by the San Diego Chargers in the 1998 NFL Draft after Peyton Manning, but his career was shortened due to poor play, bad behavior, injuries, and struggles with his work ethic and ability to stay focused. An episode of NFL Top 10 ranked him as the No. 1 “draft bust” in NFL history.

After his NFL career ended, Leaf completed his degree at Washington State. He had legal troubles involving drugs beginning in 2010 after a Texas judge sentenced him to 10 years probation. Two years later, Leaf pleaded guilty to felony burglary and drug possession in Montana. After a suspended sentence with a stint in drug rehabilitation, Leaf began serving a seven-year sentence in state prison in December 2012. On September 9, 2014, Leaf was sentenced to five years in prison for violating his Texas probation by breaking into a home in Montana to steal prescription drugs, but he was released from prison on December 3, 2014.

Leaf currently works as a Program Ambassador for Transcend Recovery Community, a group of sober living houses in Los Angeles, Houston, and New York. He also hosts a radio show and works as a college football analyst on television.

TeNisha Murry, LICSW, PIP has been working in the field of Mental Health since 2011. She has a Bachelor of Social Work from the University of Kentucky and a Master of Social Work from Alabama A&M University. As a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) she has several years of experience providing both direct psychological and psychosocial care to civilians as well as Veterans. TeNisha has also provided macro level care by creating presentations and speaking to groups/organizations regarding various topics on Mental Health Care and substance treatment for several years. TeNisha is a passionate Mental Health Advocate with specialized training in trauma focused therapy, suicide prevention and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). Furthermore, TeNisha is committed to public health education and advocacy.  

Richard A. Tucker is a former Assistant Special Agent in Charge for the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).  Mr. Tucker received his Bachelor of Science degree in Urban Life from Georgia State University.  His extensive experience in law enforcement includes 10 years as a police officer; Mr. Tucker’s 25-year DEA career has included both domestic and international assignments.  He speaks fluent Thai. He has held a variety of management and enforcement positions including, investigations, intelligence and personal security. He has presented to national and international audiences on a wide variety of topics, including undercover operations, demand reduction, illicit abuse of prescription medicines and intelligence. Mr. Tucker has also instructed law enforcement professionals on issues involving conducting investigations of drug trafficking organizations. He is retired from his law enforcement career and engaged in consulting to the healthcare industry.  Mr. Tucker’s experience provides unique perspective on many issues, including property crime, organized crime, and trafficking and use of drugs at the local, regional, and international levels. This broad view also provides compelling insight on many legal and enforcement issues.