BARAGA COUNTY
The Baraga County Families Against Narcotics (FAN) chapter was formed to offer information, support, and resources to any person who loves someone with substance use disorder (SUD). For decades, families have suffered in silence and struggled alone. Our goal is to change that. Gail Ploe, Treasurer of the newly formed FAN chapter, said, "I once heard a mother talking about how hard it was to deal with her daughter's addiction. She said what made it worse was the shame and isolation. This mom said, 'Addiction isn't a casserole disease,' and then explained. 'When your loved one is facing a serious illness or recovering from an accident, your community rallies around you, and in small towns they bring you casseroles. But when your kid is addicted, there are no casseroles.'" The Baraga County FAN chapter is made up of members who care deeply about their community, and whose lives have been touched personally and professionally by SUD. We are here to walk this path with you. Together we know we can make a difficult journey far less lonely.
MONTHLY MEETING
2nd Monday of the Month
5:00 pm
Baraga County Health Dept.
303 Baraga Ave.
L'Anse, MI 49946
EXECUTIVE BOARD
TBD
President
Bio coming soon.
REBECCA DOVE
Vice President Term Exp. 12/24
Rebecca Dove is currently the Community Outreach Coordinator for the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community (KBIC) Office of Child Support, a position she has worked in for the past six months. She previously worked at the Baraga County Shelter Home for nine years as an Outreach Advocate. Rebecca helped bring FAN to Baraga County because she has personal experiences with addiction and what it does to families and loved ones. She also wants to better her community for her children as they grow up. Rebecca believes we need to do better, not only for the people of our community but for our children as well.
TBD
Secretary
Bio coming soon.
GAIL PLOE
Treasurer Term Exp. 12/24
Gail Ploe is a certified alcohol and drug counselor and certified prevention specialist with more than 20 years of experience in substance abuse prevention and treatment. She has worked at the Western U.P. Health Department for most of that time. She also worked as a women’s addiction specialist with Keweenaw Bay Indian Community (KBIC) and is the Project Director of the Facing Addiction through Community Engagement (FACE) Project. Passionate about helping people with substance use disorder (SUD), Gail has walked alongside friends and family struggling with addiction and is very excited to be a part of the Baraga County FAN Chapter.
BOARD MEMBERS
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SHARON GILLIAND-CHEEK, MD
Director Term Exp. 12/24
Sharon Gilliland-Cheek is a board-certified pediatrician who has been seeing patients at Baraga County Memorial Hospital in L'Anse, Michigan, and at the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community (KBIC) Health Systems clinic in Baraga since late 2011. As such, she has been treating U.P. adolescents with mental health issues for more than 10 years. Sharon was a founding member and active in the Baraga County Communities That Care organization for several years, and is supportive of the efforts of FAN in addressing substance use issues in both youth and their families. Besides her training as a pediatrician, she has had specific training in managing child abuse. Before moving to the U.P., Sharon was a lifelong Hoosier and obtained her training at the Indiana University School of Medicine and Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis. Outside of work, Sharon has fallen in love with the outdoors in the U.P. and loves kayaking, snowshoeing, and hiking. She plays the piano, particularly enjoying ragtime.
MICHELLE SANREGRET
Director Term Exp. 12/24
Michelle has worked for Great Lakes Recovery Centers since November of 2019 and is currently the Case Manager for the Ripple Recovery Residence in L'Anse, Michigan. She has also become a state certified peer recovery coach. A wife and the mother of two children, Michelle is also a person in recovery. She has used her personal experience and strength to work with clients early on in their recovery and to be an advocate for others in her community. Michelle has 13 years in recovery and overcame many obstacles through hard work and determination. By fighting through the thick and thin, Michelle, who leads by example, has shown others that there is hope. As a certified member of the National Acupuncture Detoxification Association, she helps people deal with stress, anxiety, detox, and more. Michelle is all about bringing awareness and resources to a community that lacks many services and is excited to be a part of getting FAN started in Baraga County.
LISA M. DENOMIE
Director Term Exp. 12/24
As a member of the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community and the KBIC Cultural Committee, Lisa is a continued knowledge seeker, especially for her Ojibwe language and culture. Her career in the early childhood field began in 1997 and she currently serves as the Program Director for the KBIC Early Childhood Program. Lisa’s first introduction to drug/substance abuse occurred in 1995. She says that "being a member of FAN is an opportunity for me to share, assist, and stand up for those who need the support.”
COMING SOON
Director Term Exp. 12/24
Bio coming soon.
COMING SOON
Director Term Exp. 12/24
Bio coming soon.
COMING SOON
Director Term Exp. 12/24
Bio coming soon.
COMING SOON
Director Term Exp. 12/24
Bio coming soon.
COMING SOON
Director Term Exp. 12/24
Bio coming soon.
COMING SOON
Director Term Exp. 12/24
Bio coming soon.
ADVISORY BOARD
Coming Soon