Spark Training Experts are award-winning correctional professionals specializing in Correctional Healthcare, Behavioral Healthcare, and Case Law & Legal Matters. They partner with correctional facilities nationwide, offering customized training, consulting expertise, and trusted expert witness services.
SPARK TRAINING | CorrectioNS EXPERTS
Jessica Young, Esq., CCHP-A
Correctional Law
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Jessica Young, Esq., CCHP-A, Rule 31 Listed Mediator, is a respected attorney and CEO with over two decades of experience leading transformational change in correctional healthcare while standing firmly alongside law enforcement. As President and CEO of Advanced Correctional Healthcare, she has championed strategies that protect both incarcerated patients and the dedicated officers who serve our jails, resulting in a 70% reduction in complaints and a significant drop in litigation. Her leadership reflects a deep respect for the rule of law, public safety, and the vital role of correctional officers, whom she views as front-line guardians deserving of support, honor, and resources. Through faith-driven decisions—such as transitioning to a higher-skilled nursing model—Jessica has advanced care standards while stewarding taxpayer dollars with integrity and efficiency. Under her leadership, ACH grew by 33% in just nine months, overcoming cultural challenges and anti-law enforcement sentiment with unwavering courage. Jessica remains committed to strengthening the bridge between healthcare and law enforcement, always seeking to lead with excellence, accountability, and grace.
William Dennis, MD, MPH,
CCHP-CP
Correctional Healthcare
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Dr. William R. Dennis is a physician with 26 years of clinical experience in emergency and correctional health care. He earned his medical degree from the University of Missouri–Kansas City and completed residency training in emergency medicine. He also holds a Master of Public Health from the University of Pittsburgh and fellowship training in Emergency Medical Services and Disaster Medicine. Dr. Dennis has served as an assistant professor, sharing his expertise with future healthcare professionals. A U.S. Navy veteran, he served as EMS Director for Navy Medicine East, strengthening crisis response and medical services. He is a Certified Correctional Health Care Professional – Clinical Provider, committed to improving health care delivery in correctional facilities. As Chief Medical Officer for Advanced Correctional Healthcare, Inc., he oversees more than 160 practitioners across 20 states. His leadership emphasizes advancing patient care and promoting best practices in healthcare management. Dr. Dennis continues to merge his background in emergency medicine and public health to drive innovation. He remains dedicated to enhancing correctional health care systems nationwide.
Melanie Stroda, DNP, FNP-BC, NPD-BC, CHSE, CCHP-CP
Correctional Healthcare Education
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Dr. Melanie Stroda is a nurse practitioner with over 35 years of health care experience in long-term care, home health, acute medical-surgical, hospice, critical care, and education. She is an experienced simulation specialist with 18 years of practice developing and evaluating real-life training through practical exercises and technology. Melanie is a Certified Correctional Health Care Professional with Clinical Provider specialty (CCHP-CP) and a Certified Healthcare Simulation Educator. She also serves as a certified instructor in Basic Life Support (BLS) and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) with the American Heart Association.
She has 12 years of correctional medicine experience and has worked as a site practitioner in multiple county jails across several states. Her dedication to vulnerable populations and her expertise in education led to her role as Director of Clinical Education at ACH. In this role, she mentors new practitioners entering the correctional specialty. Melanie has a strong interest in caring for patients with mental health challenges and substance use disorders. She continues to pursue specialized education to improve care for these patients. She also integrates simulation into training programs to enhance engagement and participation.
Melissa Caldwell, PhD,
CCHP-MH/A
Clinical-Forensic Psychology
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Dr. Caldwell is an award-winning clinical-forensic psychologist with more than 20 years of correctional expertise. She serves as Chief Behavioral Health Officer at Freedom Behavioral Health, Inc., leading a team of Qualified Mental Health Professionals across 22 states. She holds dual NCCHC certifications as a Certified Correctional Professional in Mental Health (CCHP-MH) and Advanced Certified Correctional Health Care Professional (CCHP-A).
Dr. Caldwell began her career nearly 30 years ago as a correctional officer before becoming a licensed psychologist in 2004. Her background spans patient care, research, community partnerships, and consulting on suicide-preventive architecture in correctional design. She is frequently sought as an expert witness on forensic behavioral health issues and has collaborated with the National Institute of Mental Health on suicide screening tools for detention facilities.
In her current role, Dr. Caldwell advances innovative professional wellness initiatives that support correctional and healthcare staff. She has helped develop comprehensive wellness programs that integrate resilience training, peer support, trauma-informed leadership, and strategies to reduce burnout and compassion fatigue. Her efforts have expanded access to employee wellness resources across multiple jurisdictions, fostering healthier and more sustainable correctional workforces.
Her leadership has been recognized with major awards, including ACH’s PIC Award in 2021 and NCCHC’s Edward A. Harrison Award of Excellence in 2022. A skilled public speaker, Dr. Caldwell regularly trains and inspires audiences at both local and national levels.
Honey Sternberg
MS, LPC, CCHP-MH
First Responder Wellness Specialist
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Honey Sternberg is a Licensed Professional Counselor who specializes in working with law enforcement, first responders, and their families. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Psychology and a Master's degree in Professional Counseling. Honey is certified in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and maintains certification as a Certified Correctional Health Care Professional (CCHP-MH). For the past 10 years, she has been dedicated to facilitating suicide awareness and educating law enforcement, first responders, and community groups. Honey's expertise extends beyond her professional credentials; she has been the wife of a correctional officer for 24 years and understands firsthand the impact this profession can have on individuals and their families. With 7 years of experience in corrections, she has focused on critical response, mental health court, staff training, and individual/group therapy. For the past 4 years, she has served as the primary contact for the Critical Incident Employee Rapid Response (CIERR) program. Additionally, Honey is a certified trainer for the Fraternal Order of Police's Peer Support Program, "Power in Peers." Honey has extensive speaking experience, ranging from small groups to national stages, including engagements with the National Commission for Correctional Health, the American Jail Association, National Jail Summits, as well as in Mental Health First Aid and Power in Peers.
David Tharp RN, BSN, MBA
Correctional Nursing
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David is a seasoned nursing operations executive with more than 25 years of leadership experience in hospital systems and departmental service lines. He holds an MBA in healthcare leadership, a Bachelor of Nursing, and multiple specialty certifications, including CEN, ACLS, NRP, ATCN, and MICN. Known for driving large-scale nursing transformation, he is a collaborative leader who fosters engaged and empowered teams.
His excellence has been recognized with the Georgia Organization of Nurse Leaders’ Hospital Flow Improvement Award and Nurse Leader of the Year Award. David has advanced behavioral health initiatives in Colorado, achieving a 90% reduction in recidivism rates in local emergency departments. He has also earned national recognition from the Studer Group for improving patient experiences in Emergency and ICU Services. His career includes collaborations with Vanderbilt Hospital, Stanford University, USC, University of Colorado Health Systems, and Grady Health Systems in Atlanta.
David remains committed to advancing nursing practice, patient safety, and healthcare outcomes nationwide. His leadership continues to shape both clinical operations and innovative health initiatives.
Sheriff Ana Franklin (Retired), CCHP
Correctional Officer Development
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Ana Franklin spent over 25 years in law enforcement before retiring in 2019. Throughout her career, she worked in corrections, K9, Patrol, CID, Special Victims, undercover vice and narcotics, and served on the Board of Directors. She has been recognized as an expert witness in clandestine labs, methamphetamine production, sex offender law, and child sexual exploitation cases. Ana was promoted to lead investigator in the Special Victims Unit, handling some of the most challenging cases involving crimes against families and children. In 2011, she became the only female sheriff in Alabama and one of only 29 nationwide, commanding over 200 employees and a jail housing more than 700 inmates, including federal prisoners. She served two terms as sheriff and successfully fought to remove a 26-year federal consent decree, restructuring the jail’s healthcare program to ensure constitutionally sound medical and mental health care. Ana is a graduate of NSA NSI, the NSI National Leadership Program, and the Southern Police Institute Command Staff and Leadership Certification. After retiring, she joined ACH in 2021 to support sheriffs and jail staff with inmate healthcare, officer wellness, and training programs. In 2022, she received ACH’s Program Consultant of the Year Award for her dedication and problem-solving across southeastern jails. Ana continues to use her expertise to improve correctional health care and support law enforcement professionals nationwide.
