Cherry Jackson, Pharm.D., BCPP, FASHP, FCCP received a B.S. degree in biology from Winthrop University. At the Medical University of South Carolina, she completed a B.S. degree in Pharmacy, a Doctor of Pharmacy degree, and an American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) accredited residency in Psychiatric Pharmacy Practice. She currently serves as Professor in the Harrison College of Pharmacy and Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology and Clinical Specialist at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. She served as Professor and Assistant Dean of Admissions and Student Affairs at South University School of Pharmacy in Savannah, Georgia, after a 12-year career at the Medical University of South Carolina. At the Medical University of South Carolina, she served as Director of Psychiatric Pharmacy Practice Residencies, Clinical Coordinator and Director of Pharmacy, as well as holding academic appointments in both the Colleges of Pharmacy and Medicine. Board certified in Psychiatric Pharmacy Practice, her primary area of interest and research is in schizophrenia, mood disorders, and adverse effects of psychotropics. She lectures and publishes extensively in psychiatry, and is a member of several editorial boards. She is also a member of the American College of Clinical Pharmacy, and the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy, where she served on the Council of Deans, and completed a Academic Research Program Fellowship. She was a Founder of the American Association of Psychiatric Pharmacists, formerly known as the College of Psychiatric and Neurologic Pharmacy, where she served many roles and currently holds the office of Past President. She is a Fellow of the American Society of Health System Pharmacists and a Fellow of the American College of Clinical Pharmacy.

Shanna McIntosh is the VitAL Director in the School of Social Work at the University of Alabama. She earned a master’s degree in Counseling and Psychology. Shanna has more than ten years of experience as a Substance Use Treatment Director, Substance Use counselor, Mental Health therapist and a certified case manager. In her current role as the VitAL Director, she oversees the administration and implementation of three federally funded grants and one state funded grant. She serves as an advisor to the board for the Parent Resource Institute of Drug Education of Tuscaloosa, as well as the Tuscaloosa Mental Health Alliance, and is a co-founder of the West Alabama Recovery Coalition.