Why PNLH
Our Team
Our Board
David Micoff, CPA
Board of Directors
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David is a finance and technology consultant based in Milford, Michigan. He holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Michigan, graduating Cum Laude. David began his career as an auditor for two Big Six accounting firms before serving as Controller and CFO of a Citibank subsidiary. He is currently a lead consultant at Digital Guidance, a firm providing IT infrastructure and cybersecurity services to small businesses, nonprofits, and schools.
David brings a unique combination of financial oversight, digital strategy, and systems management to the PNLH Board.
Donald J. Oesterwind Jr., BBA CACM
Board Member
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Donald brings nearly 40 years of experience in addiction recovery, human services, and program leadership to the PNLH Board of Directors. He holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from Cleary University and an Associate Degree in Marketing and Applied Management from Schoolcraft College. He has been a Certified Addiction Counselor since 1995 and maintains credentials in crisis intervention, CPR, and first aid.
Donald currently serves as Program Director for Beginning Step and Safe Step and has held a range of leadership and clinical roles throughout his career. His experience includes work with Northville State Psychiatric Hospital, Westland Psychiatric Hospital, the Reckard Center, PNLH, and multiple community-based programs, including a National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) research initiative.
With a lifelong commitment to helping others achieve self-sufficiency and personal growth, Donald also contributes his time to the Westland Rotary, where he has served as a long-time board member. He brings dedication to recovery, deep community ties, and an unwavering belief in the power of human connection to the PNLH Board.
Jason Schwartz, LMSW, ACSW, CAADC
Board of Directors
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Jason is the Director of Social Work and Spiritual Care at the University of Michigan Health System and brings over three decades of leadership in behavioral health, recovery support, and integrated care. He previously served as Director of Behavioral Health at St. Mary Hospital in Livonia and Clinical Director at Dawn Farm in Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti. Jason is also a lecturer at Eastern Michigan University’s School of Social Work, where he helps shape the next generation of social workers.
Deeply committed to recovery-oriented care, Jason has served on numerous boards and committees, including the National Association for Children of Addiction, Michigan Association of Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors, Families Against Narcotics, and others. He is a national and international presenter and co-author of thought leadership on recovery, love in counseling, and ethical supervision practices.
Jason brings values-driven leadership, advocacy experience, and recovery-centered insight to the PNLH Board.
Joseph Paliwoda, MBA
Board of Directors
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Joe brings more than three decades of mission-driven leadership to the PNLH Board of Directors. With an MBA from the University of Michigan, he has spent his career building systems that prioritize recovery, community partnerships, and person-centered care.
His vision has been instrumental in expanding integrated services and developing values-based programs that support long-term healing. As a champion of the LIGHT Model, he remains committed to ensuring that PNLH’s mission is reflected in every aspect of care and governance.
In his role on the Board, Joe brings institutional knowledge, strategic insight, and a steady focus on quality, ethics, and sustainable growth.
Leadership Team
PNLH is proud of the distinguished leadership team it has assembled to guide the organization in providing exceptional care. Presented below are some of the key leaders at PNLH:
Joseph Paliwoda, MBA
Co-Founder & Chief Executive Officer
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Joe has dedicated more than 35 years to advancing integrated, client-centered care across Southeast Michigan. With an MBA from the University of Michigan, he brings deep expertise in behavioral health leadership, nonprofit management, and recovery system design.
He has guided PNLH’s growth from a grassroots initiative into a trusted regional provider of holistic services, including recovery housing, outpatient treatment, and peer support. Joe has played a central role in embedding the LIGHT Model throughout the organization, helping to shape a culture of healing rooted in compassion, dignity, and intentional care.
As a behavioral health surveyor for the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF), Joe also contributes to national quality and ethics standards. His leadership continues to inspire hope, accountability, and sustainable recovery pathways for individuals and families alike.
Raymond Edison, MD
Medical Director
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Dr. Edison serves as Medical Director at Personalized Nursing LIGHT House, Inc., and also holds a medical director role with another leading SUD treatment provider. Board-certified in Addiction Medicine and a certified Medical Review Officer, he brings extensive expertise in supporting clients through withdrawal management and residential treatment. His calm, compassionate approach is a natural fit for the LIGHT Model of care, and he is highly respected for his knowledge and dedication to helping clients achieve lasting recovery.
Pampa Banerjee, BS, LLB
Senior Accounts Analyst
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Pampa is the Senior Accounts Analyst at PNLH. She holds a bachelor’s degree in chemistry and a law degree from a respected university in India, as well as a Career Diploma in Bookkeeping from Penn Foster Career School. Since joining PNLH in 2006, Pampa has supported the organization’s financial operations with expertise in accounting, compliance, and organizational reporting.
Jackie Anderson
Site Director
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Jackie serves as Site Director for PNLH’s Plymouth and Canton programs, overseeing intensive outpatient, outpatient, case management, recovery housing, and peer coaching services. Highly knowledgeable about clinical care across all levels of service, Jackie also coordinates staffing for withdrawal management and residential programs and is PNLH’s credentialing expert, managing staff licensure and certification requirements. She plays a key role in daily operations, supporting staff and clients while upholding high standards of care throughout the organization.
Valerie Worosz, LPC, CAADC, CCS
Clinical Director
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Valerie is the Clinical Director at PNLH, responsible for the day-to-day clinical operations of all programs. She supervises Site Directors, clinicians, and support staff to ensure services are delivered efficiently and according to organizational standards. Valerie oversees client admissions and discharges, coordinates staff training, monitors compliance and billing, and facilitates communication across teams. She also manages the development and supervision of clinical staff and interns, and serves as a liaison to funding and referral sources.
Rashemia Powell, MPH
Site Director
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Rashemia serves as Site Director at PNLH’s Madison Heights location, leading the team that provides safe, compassionate care for people beginning their recovery journey. With a background in mathematics and public health, Rashemia combines clinical expertise and leadership to ensure high-quality services that reflect the LIGHT Model’s values of integrity, empathy, and continuous growth. She is passionate about supporting clients as they reclaim their lives and is dedicated to fostering a collaborative, culturally competent environment for both staff and patients. Outside of work, Rashemia is active in her community as a foster parent for teens and rescue animals, and enjoys volunteering and playing softball.
Geoff Smereck, JD
Co-founder, General Counsel & Compliance Officer
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Geoff is the Compliance Officer and General Counsel at PNLH and a co-founder of the organization. An active attorney in Michigan since 1978 and a Harvard graduate, Geoff has extensive experience in health law, substance use disorder, and public health. He has held leadership roles on state and federal committees focused on HIV/AIDS care and innovative health programs, and served as Principal Investigator and President of the Well-Being Institute, leading federally funded research on interventions for vulnerable populations. Since PNLH’s founding, Geoff has served as general counsel, intervention counselor to thousands of clients, and key advisor. He is the author of more than 40 peer-reviewed publications in the fields of addiction, homelessness, and HIV/AIDS.