Advisory Committee
The individuals serving on the advisory committee represent a cross-section of our university landscape and have an interest and/or expertise in crisis response and behavioral health best practices. This group, which first convened in February 2021, meets monthly. Feedback obtained during these meetings has helped inform decisions around hiring, programmatic processes, and design throughout each phase of project development.
Ciara Armstrong, Undergraduate Student, Krieger School of Arts and Sciences
Ciara is a Junior majoring in Molecular and Cellular Biology with a minor in Bioethics. In terms of her relevant experience, she is currently a Field Training Officer and Personnel Officer for HERO where she responds to emergency calls on the Hopkins campus. She has been an EMT for 2 years and volunteers for 911 in Baltimore County. She also volunteers for the Crisis Textline, which is a national center that allows people to anonymously text in during mental health crises. As a member of this Committee, Ciara will be representing Hopkins Emergency Response Organization (HERO).
Rebecca Fix, PhD, Assistant Professor, Dept. of Mental Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
Rebecca is an Assistant Professor of Mental Health Communications at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. Her research has two primary foci: 1) the prevention of discrimination and bias in the juvenile justice system and 2) prevention of violent and sexual offending. Her training background is in clinical child psychology with a forensic focus. As a member of this Committee, Rebecca will be representing the Department of Mental Health, BSPH.
Kathleen (Kathy) Forbush, MBA, MS, Executive Director for Talent Management, Johns Hopkins University
In her role, Kathy is responsible for leading both the learning and organization development functions for the entire university. Kathy also oversees a portion of Johns Hopkins’ economic inclusion initiative, “HopkinsLocal” which is working to expand the hiring and career development of Baltimore city residents. As an experienced organization development and human resources professional, Kathy has spent over 20 years working in HR, Learning, and Organization Development roles with clients of various functional disciplines in diverse organizations and industries. Before her return to JHU in 2015, Kathy was the principal and owner of her own consulting practice with clients in health care, information technology and academia. She holds a BA in History with an Integral Honors Degree from Le Moyne College, an MBA with a Human Resources Concentration from Syracuse University, and an MS in Organization Development and Strategic Human Resources from the Carey Business School at Johns Hopkins University. As a member of this Committee, Kathy will be representing the Office of Human Resources.
Cynthia Lewis, MD, Assistant Professor, Dept. of Psychiatry, Johns Hopkins Medicine
Dr. Cynthia Lewis attended Howard University for undergraduate studies and Meharry Medical College for medical school, where she graduated in the top 5 of her class. Dr. Lewis completed her psychiatric residency program at The Johns Hopkins Hospital and was named the First Female African American Chief Resident in her graduating year. Dr. Lewis was a National Health Service Corp Scholar which obligated her to serve three years in an underserved community. Upon completion of her service obligation, Dr. Lewis became an Attending in the Community Psychiatry Program at JHH and she opened a small private practice. In 2010, Dr. Lewis was named Director of the JHH Adult Psychiatric Emergency Services. She remained in this role until 2014 when she went into private practice full time. In July 2019, Dr. Lewis returned to Johns Hopkins as an Assistant Professor and resumed her role as Director of JHH Adult Psychiatric Emergency Services. Dr. Lewis continues to maintain a very limited part-time private practice, providing Independent Medical Examinations for injured workers. Dr. Lewis was recently named, by Council President Nick Mosby, to Co-chair The Baltimore City Suicide Prevention Legislative Workgroup, along with Councilmember Danielle McCray. Dr. Lewis lives in Baltimore, MD with her husband, two daughters and dog Genghis. As a member of this Committee, Dr. Lewis will be representing the Department of Psychiatry, JHM.
Nicki McCann, Vice President of Provider/Payer Transformation, Johns Hopkins Health System
In her role, Nicki is responsible for collaborating and aligning with health system leadership and the provider community to facilitate responses to strategies related to the payer market. She has experience in program development, project management and policy analysis. She came to Johns Hopkins in 2010 as the director of health policy for government affairs. In this role, her responsibilities included advising JHHS senior leadership regarding health policy issues and advocating on behalf of JHHS to advance industry priorities under Maryland’s rate-setting system. She also developed and maintained partnerships with other hospitals, health systems and related associations to advance Johns Hopkins’ core priorities. Since April 2018, she has served as chief of staff for The Johns Hopkins Hospital, leading efforts to develop and advance strategic objectives; fostering strong community partnerships; and collaborating with hospital leadership, providers and staff members to build and launch programs that align with Maryland’s Total Cost of Care Model and improve patient satisfaction and experience. Nicki earned a bachelor’s degree in English from Randolph-Macon College in Virginia and graduated cum laude from the University of Baltimore School of Law. As a member of this Committee, Nikki will be representing the Johns Hopkins Health System (JHHS).
Michael McGill, Jr., Graduate Student in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Johns Hopkins School of Education
Michael teaches practical principles of personal & professional development that enrich one’s capacity to live, love, and lead higher. In being a growth catalyst, he specializes in igniting freedom and possibility so that people may live the highest version of themselves and evolve! Known as a “People Builder,” he’s been featured on Dr. Phil, CNN, HLN, CBS, ABC, FOX, and NBC networks nationwide.
A former public school educator, Michael has spent the last decade empowering people, organizations, and families with the tools to get clarity from chaos and discover healthier ways of being. Michael’s work also encompasses advocacy for vulnerable populations — including as a former counselor and victims advocate for survivors of intimate partner (domestic) violence. Currently attending a graduate clinical mental health counseling program at the Johns Hopkins University, McGill also has a strong educational background in social psychology, conflict resolution, and urban education. Through his educational and life experiences, Michael developed a robust passion for encouraging + empowering individuals and families to overcome obstacles and live healthy, more wholehearted lives. As a member of this Committee, Michael will be representing the JHU Safety & Security Student Advisory Committee.
Jennifer Mielke, Director of Local Government and Community Affairs, Johns Hopkins University
Prior to joining the Office of Government and Community Affairs in the fall of 2012, Jennifer worked in local government for fifteen years in various capacities. From 2005-2012 she worked at Baltimore Housing focusing on neighborhood revitalization initiatives and affordable housing development. Previous to her Baltimore Housing experience, Jennifer worked in the Mayor’s Office of Neighborhoods for four years where she served as a liaison between communities and city government. Before moving to Baltimore in 2001, Jennifer was a planner for the Department of Community Development in South Bend, Indiana. Jennifer received a bachelor’s degree in politics from Lake Forest College and a master’s degree urban and regional planning from Ball State University. As a member of this Committee, Jennifer will be representing the Office of Government and Community Affairs.
Lucas Miranda-Martinez, Undergraduate Student, Krieger School of Arts and Sciences
Lucas is a Senior in the Krieger School of Arts and Sciences studying Biophysics and Latin American Studies. On campus, he is the Director of Advocacy for the Multicultural Leadership Council, a peer listener in A Place to Talk, an undergraduate researcher in the Fried Lab, and a member of the Puerto Rican Students Association. As a member of this Committee, Lucas will be representing the Multicultural Leadership Council.
Garrett Patrick, PhD, Medical Student, Johns Hopkins Medicine
Garrett is a graduate student with Johns Hopkins Medicine where he is currently completing his MD as part of a dual MD/PhD program. He is an involved member of the Baltimore community, serving on the board of the Patterson Park Neighborhood Association and contributing to many projects around safety, lighting and housing. An avid runner, he has run every single street within the city limits of Baltimore and is now finishing up everything within 695. He believes his background in both neighborhood organizing and in multiple disciplines at Hopkins will be valuable for the development of effective safety solutions. As a member of this Committee, Garrett will be representing the East Baltimore Medical Campus.
Michael Preston, Director of East Baltimore Community Affairs, Johns Hopkins University
Michael has more than 20 years of experience in community affairs, government relations and communications and has consistently succeeded in forging partnerships between business and community leaders and building bridges in the community through thoughtful strategic messaging and open communications. Previously, Michael served in the Governor’s Office of Crime Control and Prevention, the Maryland Behavioral Health Administration and the Empower Baltimore Management Corporation. Michael is a graduate of Towson University where he received a BA in Mass Communication. As a member of this Committee, Michael will be representing the Office of Government and Community Affairs.
Nan Rohrer, President, Midtown Community Benefits District
Nan Rohrer has been actively involved in all levels of community while improving Baltimore for the 19 years she has called the city home. She is the president of Midtown Community Benefits District, a management authority overseeing work in four unique neighborhoods in the geographic and cultural heart of the city. For 11 years, Rohrer worked as vice president of economic development and planning at the Downtown Partnership of Baltimore, where she spearheaded the Strategic Plan, Pratt Street Redesign, Preston Gardens Renovation, Retail Strategy, and Downtown Open Space Plan. She was the founding director of the Office of Partnerships in the Department of Recreation and Parks, and a neighborhood liaison in the city’s first Mayor’s Office of Neighborhoods. Nan Rohrer serves on the boards of the Baltimore Museum of Industry and Chesapeake Shakespeare Company. She is also an active member of the Enoch Pratt Free Library Advisory Council and the Friends of Patterson Park. Nan enjoys mentoring and has participated with ULI’s Young Leaders and Johns Hopkins University’s Social Innovation Lab programs. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Yale University. As a member of this Committee, Nan will be representing the Mt. Vernon community.
Kristina Williams, Executive Director, Charles Village Community Benefits District
Kristina E. Williams is a Community Economic Development professional whose work focuses on strategic equity initiatives. Kristina has worked with communities throughout the City on efforts from commercial revitalization, equitable economic development, and community development. She has served the City in many capacities, from neighborhood to national, representing the City at conferences, workshops, and fellowships, highlighting Baltimore as a great place to live, work, and play. As the Executive Director of the Charles Village Community Benefits District (CVCBD), Kristina uses similar platforms and best practice strategies to support the district and the City in achieving equitable outcomes in safety and sanitation, by addressing root causes of both. By engaging the community in strategic priorities and expanding programs that meet the greater need of the community, the CVCBD is focused on driving down crime, challenging unsustainable public health and sanitation behaviors, and workforce development. As a member of this Committee, Kristina will be representing the Charles Village/Homewood community.
Tehma H. Smith Wilson, Assistant Executive Director, The Door
Tehma is a 2000 graduate of Lincoln University where she majored in Physics and minored in Mathematics and Computer Science. Upon graduating from Lincoln University, Tehma accepted an engineering position at Lockheed Martin. While at Lockheed Martin, she continued her education at Pennsylvania State University where she earned a Master’s Degree in Information Science, and an MBA with a concentration in Entrepreneurship and New Ventures. In May 2008, Tehma completed her pursuit of a Law Degree from Temple University. Tehma is licensed to practice law in Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Washington DC. In 2019, Tehma begin working at the Baltimore Urban Leadership Foundation (The Door) which is a non-profit organization in East Baltimore. The Door’s mission is to rebuild communities, empower families and transform lives. In the community, Tehma also attends Huber Memorial Church and serves on several community and academic boards. Included in her board service is the Historic East Baltimore Community Action Coalition (HEBCAC) and the Maryland Economic Development Corporation (MEDCO). As a member of this Committee, Tehma will be representing the East Baltimore community.
Nicolas Wright, Assistant Director of Fraternity and Sorority Life, Johns Hopkins University
Nicolas joined the Hopkins community in July of 2019 as the Assistant Director of Fraternity and Sorority Life. Over the past years, Nicolas has developed a solid background in large scale student programming, leadership development, risk and harm reduction, and equity. His work with the community is to ensure that all students involved in a fraternal organization have a safe and transformative experience. Prior to joining Hopkins, Nicolas was the Director of Fraternity and Sorority Life at Marshall University in Huntington, WV. During his time at Marshall University, Nicolas served on the University’s Assessment Committee and assisted in the development of the student life curriculum. Additionally, he served on the university president’s Commission for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Nicolas’ passion for student development and transformation began while attending Mississippi University for Women studying Public Health Education and Family Studies. After obtaining his B.S., he attended Eastern Illinois University for his M.S. in College Student Affairs. As a member of this Committee, Nicolas will be representing the Black Faculty and Staff Association (BFSA).