Burke County hired Dr. Katie V. Samuels as the county’s next opioid settlement coordinator. Following a search and review of more than 90 applications, Samuels was selected to lead the initiative.
Samuels will start her new job on June 2 at a yearly salary of $100,000, said Burke County Manager Brian Epley.Â
She most recently worked in the behavioral health sector as a consultant with the Community Education Group. Prior to her work with CEG, she served as Burke County’s director of behavioral health for about 18 months. Her career includes experience in executive nonprofit leadership, Local Management Entity operations and direct clinical practice.
Samuels
Photo contributed, Burke County Health Department
A Burke County native, Samuels is enthusiastic about rejoining the team in this newly restructured role. After her resignation in December 2024, the Burke County Board of Commissioners acted to centralize and formalize the management of opioid settlement funds, which will total about $25 million over an 18-year period.
“Thanks to the board of commissioners and their vision for our future, the new organizational structure and the establishment of the Opioid Advisory Committee will ensure efficient and effective communication and action,†said County Manager Brian Epley. “We are thrilled to welcome Katie back to Burke County Government. Her technical expertise, reputation, and passion are unmatched. The Board’s directive is now to work collaboratively with the advisory board to make swift, strategic investments that deliver sustainable, life-saving outcomes.â€
Burke County continues to rank among the hardest-hit counties in North Carolina for opioid overdoses and deaths on a per capita basis. The county is nearing completion of a comprehensive strategic plan and is preparing to evaluate a proposed behavioral health urgent care facility, which would offer centralized access to behavioral health and substance use disorder services for residents.
