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In addition to providing strategic direction to the organization, Members of the Advisory Committee are subject matter experts that participate in providing helpful and timely information about the complexities of the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program and the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act. Committee members also participated in directly answering member questions and conducting outreach to former workers so that CWP can have a robust and active membership.

Meet the Members

Janine L. Anderson

Janine L. Anderson is a disabled former worker at the K-25 Oak Ridge Gaseous Diffusion Plant. In 1998, she became the National Outreach Coordinator for the Coalition For A Healthy Environment, an advocacy group for sick nuclear workers. She has worked for legislation to compensate sick workers. The day after EEOICPA passed in 2000, she spoke at the White House to thank the presidential staff for their help. She is a founding member of the Alliance of Nuclear Worker Advocacy Groups; which is working for legislative reform and increased benefits for affected workers.

Terrie Barrie

Terrie Barrie’s advocacy work began because of her husband’s illness, which was caused by exposures at the Rocky Flats facility in Golden, Colorado. “First it began with a letter to the editor, then representing my husband in a state workers compensation claim. It evolved into uniting claimants and advocates from across the country, assisting some claimants with their claims and keeping the claimants, other advocates, Congress and the press informed with the progress (or lack of) of the federal agencies implementation of EEOICPA.” Terrie is also a founding member of the Alliance of Nuclear Worker Advocacy Groups; which is working for legislative reform and increased benefits for affected workers.

Christopher H. Hayes

Christopher H. Hayes is a Tennessee attorney practicing law in the Oak Ridge/Knoxville area since graduating from Tennessee College of Law in 1986. He is a former Department of Energy contractor employee at the K-25 site and the Y-12 national Security complex. His primary areas of practice include workers’ compensation, personal injury. products liability, toxic torts and wrongful death claims. He has appellate experience before the Federal Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals, the Tennessee Court of Appeals and the Tennessee Supreme Court.

Lawrence Martinez Sr.

Lawrence Martinez Sr. of Shiprock, New Mexico, is a member of the Navajo Tribe and works for the Office of Navajo Uranium Workers. He served with the 82nd Airborne Division, the U.S. Army, then worked for the Navajo Nation as an electrician for NTUA, as Director of Navajo Housing Services, for the Navajo Nation Police Department, and the Office of Navajo Uranium Workers. His primary work has been in electrical contracting. His grandfather and two uncles, who helped supply uranium for the U.S. government, died from radiation exposure illness. He deals with personal tragedies daily in his position.

Sandie A. Medina

Sandie A. Medina, from northern New Mexico, was employed at the Nevada Test Site (NTS) for Reynolds Electrical & Engineering Company Inc., for 25 years. All her time was spent in Area 12 as an administrative supervisor for underground testing.   In 1996 she went to work for Southern Nevada Building and Construction Trades Council, in affiliation with Boston University School of Public Health and the University of California, San Francisco, as a Union Project Manager. During this time she was responsible for organizing outreach and publicity regarding the Medical Screening for former NTS workers.  Since May 1998, she has been a member of Laborers’ Local Union #872 and has been actively involved with the Retirees’ Council.   Sandie continues to assist former NTS workers with their individual RECA and EEOICPA claims.

Dr. Maureen Merritt

Dr. Maureen Merritt, an Occupational Health Care Consultant to industry and Native American tribes, is a former nurse from Iowa. After returning to college and medical school, she obtained her medical degree from UOMHS, Des Moines, Iowa. As a Board Certified family practitioner, she became a private practice physician, and Occupational Medical Director for Garlock, Inc. where she was instrumental in advancing their occupational safety and health programs.  She joined the U.S. Public Health Service and worked with various tribes as Chief Medical Officer until her retirement. She created and lobbied for a “first in the nation” State Office of Advocacy and Technical Assistance for Nuclear Workers. She created the New Mexico Alliance of Nuclear Worker Advocates. She assists claimants with individual claims adjudication, Part B & E, and lobbies for EEOICPA reform.

Paul Mullens

Paul Mullens, a second generation nuclear worker with 28 years of service at the Portsmouth Gaseous Diffusion plant, is local coordinator for the Worker Health Protection Program. It provides free medical screenings to former and current workers of the plant and Paul helps them with claims for the EEOICPA of 2000 and Ohio Worker’s Compensation. He’s been on the executive board of Local 1-689 of the United Steel Workers for the past 14 years and serves as chair of the Election Committee, the By-Laws Committee, and is the alternate benefits representative for the local.

Dr. Randolph Soo Hoo

Dr. Randolph (Randy) Soo Hoo has a medical degree from the University of Arizona and a Masters in Public Health from the Medical College of Wisconsin. He was the Chief Medical Consultant for the Arizona Disability Determination Service Administration where he was frequently consulted on issues related to Functional Capacity Assessments. After leaving DDSA, Dr. Soo Hoo established a functional-based medicine practice where he performs independent medical evaluations and SSA Consultative Evaluations. He is also Associate Medical Director for a major transportation company and the Functional Capacity Medical Review Officer for a global food manufacture and distribution company.

Faye Vlieger

Faye Vlieger, raised in southern California, worked at DOE Hanford for three years and was disabled in a chemical vapor exposure. She has become involved with injured Hanford workers and is active in the struggle to get complete and accurate records of exposures, injuries and accidents. She’s helping workers get consideration of EEIOCPA claims.She was in the Kansas Air National Guard (1981-1994) as Technical Sergeant, and last stationed in Coos Bay, OR. Her educational background is extensive, concluding with a B.S. in management from Linfield College.