Stephanie is an Opioid Use Disorder/Substance Use Disorder Specialist and Peer Coordinator at FirstHealth of the Carolinas in Pinehurst, NC. Stephanie is a former army spouse who dedicated 16 years to supporting families of those who served in the US Army. A native of Texas, Hoover grew up in Charlotte, North Carolina before moving to Pinehurst. Stephanie is a dedicated mother of six who held down the home front while her former spouse was deployed for the majority of 2001-2011. On June 2, 2017, Hoover received a phone call that no parent ever wants to receive. Her son, Alex, overdosed at 22 years old. Since that day, Hoover has worked to fulfill a promise to her son, giving meaning to his life and untimely death. She is passionate about helping individuals and their families who are in active addiction receive the necessary treatment and support. Her personal experience both prior to and following Alex’s death, make her uniquely qualified to fulfill her mission of changing outcomes for other families. As a Peer Coordinator with The Sandhills Opioid Outreach Response Consortium, Hoover is working on the front line to raise awareness, educate and assist people in the Sandhills region who are directly impacted by the opioid epidemic.