Samantha Z.
Special Assistant to the Secretary @Pennsylvania Department Of Drug And Alcohol Programs
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WORK HISTORY
Special Assistant to the Secretary @Pennsylvania Department Of Drug And Alcohol Programs
Harrisburg, PA, US
As Special Assistant to the Secretary, I provided high-level strategic support and policy guidance to advance the Commonwealth’s drug and alcohol initiatives. I led the coordination and oversight of Pennsylvania’s Overdose Prevention Programs, including the distribution of naloxone, drug checking tools, and harm reduction strategies.Key responsibilities and accomplishments- Directed the implementation and continuous improvement of statewide overdose prevention strategies, with a focus on equitable access and data-driven impact- Spearheaded the development of data systems to monitor program outcomes, inform policy, and support federal and legislative reporting- Collaborated with local governments, community-based organizations, and healthcare providers to expand access to harm reduction services across diverse settings- Managed cross-agency workgroups and briefed executive leadership on emerging drug trends, regulatory developments, and resource allocation priorities.This role deepened my commitment to public health innovation, systems thinking, and collaborative governance in addressing substance use and its broader social determinants.
EDUCATION
The George Washington University- Milken Institute School of Public Health
Doctor of Public Health (DrPH), Public Health
University of Pittsburgh at Bradford
Bachelor of Science (BS), Sports Medicine
The George Washington University- Milken Institute School of Public Health
Master's degree, Public Health
ABOUT SAMANTHA Z.
I am a public health professional with over a decade of experience in overdose prevention, harm reduction, data analysis, and grant management. Currently, I serve as the Special Assistant to the Secretary at the Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs (DDAP), where I lead the Pennsylvania Overdose Prevention Program. In this role, I oversee the statewide procurement and distribution of naloxone and drug-checking supplies, working to expand access to life-saving resources across communities.Previously, I served as Deputy Director of the City of York Bureau of Health, where I managed operations, budgeting, and multimillion-dollar grants to advance public health initiatives. I played a key role in launching York County’s Overdose Fatality Review and in developing innovative, community-centered interventions.I am passionate about health equity and systems-level change. My work focuses on translating data into action, building cross-sector partnerships, and implementing sustainable, evidence-based solutions to reduce substance use-related harms. I’m also actively engaged in community leadership through board service and national public health associations.Currently, I am pursuing my Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) at The George Washington University.
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