AMERSA Talks

This episode explores the Addiction Care Team Nurse Liaison Program (ACTNLP), a program that equips hospital nurses with substance use disorder (SUD) training to reduce stigma and improve outcomes for patients with SUD. Developed within an urban safety-net hospital, the program includes didactics, precepting with addiction specialists, and community site visits. Participants become SUD champions, educators, and leaders on their units. Early outcomes show high program completion and addiction certification rates, strong curriculum relevance, and improved knowledge and engagement. ACTNLP is a feasible, scalable model to enhance nursing capacity to provide addiction care in hospital settings.

Learning Objectives

• Describe the core components of the ACTNL program training and the ACTNL role in clinical implementation on the unit.
• Identify key benefits of training nurses in evidence-based addiction care, including impacts on patient outcomes, interdisciplinary communication, and stigma reduction.
• Recognize the value of the ACTNL program in its efforts to enhance nursing addiction education.
• Identify barriers to implementing nurse-led addiction training programs and explore strategies to overcome them.
• Assess potential for adaptation in diverse healthcare settings.

Host & Guest Bios

1. Kristin Wason, MSN, NP-C, CARN, is a Nurse Practitioner at Boston Medical Center and serves as the Director of the Grayken Addiction Nursing Fellowship, the first addiction fellowship program for registered nurses in the United States. Kristin has experience working in numerous addiction treatment settings and currently provides direct patient care as a member of BMC’s Behavior Response Team and as a methadone provider at HCRC Boston. Kristin has published in several peer reviewed journals and is first author of Addiction Nursing Competencies: A Comprehensive Toolkit for the Addictions Nurse. She has also co-authored and authored numerous guidelines to treat patients with substance use disorders in the outpatient setting.
2. Kelly Brandon, MSN, RNC, CNS, IBCLC, CARN, works as a Perinatal Clinical Nurse Specialist at San Francisco General Hospital. Prior to her nursing work she was a counselor and program manager for a street outreach program in San Francisco. In her role as the Co-Director of the ACTNL program she aims to bring evidence-based, easy to access, compassionate care to all patients throughout the SFGH hospital system.
3. Johanna Sluser, MSN, FNP-C, CARN-AP, is a nurse practitioner on the Addiction Care Team (ACT) at San Francisco General Hospital and co-director of the ACT Nurse Liaison Program. She has worked in San Francisco’s community behavioral health system since 2016, focusing on crisis mental health services and substance use care. With a strong commitment to harm reduction, she is dedicated to expanding access to low-barrier substance use treatment and providing care that preserves dignity and promotes the health of individuals who use substances.

Timestamps:

• [00:00] Introduction to podcast & series overview
• [01:00] Guest introductions: Kristen, Kelly, Johanna
• [03:00] Learning objectives for the episode
• [04:30] Early nursing role in addiction care before ACT NOW
• [07:30] Gaps in nurse education around substance use disorders
• [10:00] Challenges, misconceptions & stigma in hospital care
• [12:00] Structure of ACT NOW nurse liaison program
• [18:00] Impact of community site visits in nurse training
• [23:00] Measuring outcomes & early success stories
• [30:00] Future plans: expanding cohorts & hospital-wide adoption
• [36:00] Takeaways: culture change & role of nurse champions
• [39:00] Closing remarks & future episodes preview

Links

• AMERSA

Find us online at amersa.org/amersa-podcast 

Frontiers in Substance Use & Stigma & Substance Use are sponsored by Provider’s Clinical Support System – Medication for Opioid Use Disorder (PCSS-MOUD). Learn more about PCSS-MOUD at pcssnow.org.

Funding for this initiative was made possible by cooperative agreement no. 1H79TI086770 from SAMHSA. The views expressed in written conference materials or publications and by speakers and moderators do not necessarily reflect the official policies of the Department of Health and Human Services; nor does mention of trade names, commercial practices, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.

Substance Use Across the Lifespan and Innovation in Action are sponsored by the Opioid Response Network (ORN). Learn more about ORN at opioidresponsenetwork.org.

Funding for this initiative was made possible (in part) by grant no. 1H79TI088037 from SAMHSA. The views expressed in written conference materials or publications and by speakers and moderators do not necessarily reflect the official policies of the Department of Health and Human Services; nor does mention of trade names, commercial practices, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.

In this episode, host Dr. Tim Kummer is joined by Holly Drone, EMS Pharmacist, and Jackson Thiets, paramedic and buprenorphine advocate with the Hennepin EMS Bridge Program. Together, they share the journey of implementing a paramedic-driven buprenorphine protocol, the lessons learned from their first year, and how the program has evolved to include holistic post-overdose care. The conversation highlights barriers faced, culture shifts needed in EMS and ED settings, and how moving from judgment to empathy—and empathy to action—can transform care for patients with opioid use disorder.

Learning Objectives

• Describe the development and implementation of a paramedic-driven buprenorphine protocol in a large urban EMS system, including the clinical rationale, training structure, and system-level logistics.
• Identify common barriers to prehospital buprenorphine use—such as stigma, protocol hesitancy, and supply chain issues—and explore practical strategies for overcoming them through clinical leadership and team buy-in.
• Understand the role of interdisciplinary collaboration—between EMS, pharmacists, and peer support specialists—in creating a holistic, post-overdose care model like the Hennepin EMS Bridge Program.
• Recognize how EMS and Emergency Departments can move from judgment-based responses to compassionate, action-oriented care for patients with opioid use disorder, reframing naloxone-only approaches to include long-term treatment initiation.

Host & Guest Bios

1. Host- Dr. Tim Kummer is an Emergency Physician and EMS Medical Director at Hennepin Healthcare, where he leads several initiatives focused on addressing the opioid crisis. He founded the Hennepin Bridge Program, an innovative team that connects patients with opioid use disorder to treatment through ED consults, field buprenorphine inductions, and follow-up care. Dr. Kummer also helped launch one of the first prehospital buprenorphine programs in the country and serves on the National Association of EMS Physicians work group developing national guidance on EMS’s role in the opioid epidemic. His work is grounded in bringing care directly to patients—whether in the field, at home, or in the emergency department—and meeting them where they are on their journey to recovery.
2. Holly Drone, PharmD, is a Clinical Pharmacist at Hennepin Healthcare and Hennepin EMS specializing in emergency medicine and prehospital emergency care. She supports a field-based buprenorphine induction program and co-leads a team of paramedics focused on bridging patients from emergency care to social and addiction medicine services. Her work focuses on reducing barriers to care, supporting patients throughout their recovery journey, and advocating for EMS’ role in combating the opiate crisis.
3. Jackson Thiets is a dedicated paramedic at Hennepin EMS with 4 years of experience. He is a member of the Hennepin EMS Bridge team, a team of paramedics connecting patients with opioid use disorder from emergency settings to community resources.

Timestamps:

• [00:00] – Introduction to the podcast and the purpose of the episode
• [01:30] – Overview of guest credentials and program scope
• [04:10] – Why EMS should engage in the opioid crisis response
• [06:50] – Explanation of EMS structures and how they vary
• [08:45] – Why EMS is an overlooked but crucial intervention point
• [10:40] – EMS data: overdose call volumes and opioid touchpoints
• [11:45] – The origin story: How and why the team started using buprenorphine
• [16:00] – Naloxone leave-behind kits and building trust in the community
• [21:00] – Logistics of adding buprenorphine to EMS protocols
• [40:45] – Launch of the Bridge Team for post-overdose community care

Links

• AMERSA<

Find us online at amersa.org/amersa-podcast 

Frontiers in Substance Use & Stigma & Substance Use are sponsored by Provider’s Clinical Support System – Medication for Opioid Use Disorder (PCSS-MOUD). Learn more about PCSS-MOUD at pcssnow.org.

Funding for this initiative was made possible by cooperative agreement no. 1H79TI086770 from SAMHSA. The views expressed in written conference materials or publications and by speakers and moderators do not necessarily reflect the official policies of the Department of Health and Human Services; nor does mention of trade names, commercial practices, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.

Substance Use Across the Lifespan and Innovation in Action are sponsored by the Opioid Response Network (ORN). Learn more about ORN at opioidresponsenetwork.org.

Funding for this initiative was made possible (in part) by grant no. 1H79TI088037 from SAMHSA. The views expressed in written conference materials or publications and by speakers and moderators do not necessarily reflect the official policies of the Department of Health and Human Services; nor does mention of trade names, commercial practices, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.

This episode will focus on the outreach and support service efforts within MATTERS that address barriers to treatment for opioid use disorder. While MATTERS is widely recognized for its harm reduction efforts, this episode will dig deeper into the essential support structures that make treatment more accessible, which can enhance the likelihood of a successful connection once referrals are made.

The episode will cover how the program uses emergency telemedicine, peer networks, and wraparound programs to address barriers such as lack of insurance, transportation, and stigma. Additionally, it will discuss how follow-up with individuals navigating treatment helps to inform decision-making when it comes to the services MATTERS offers and how they communicate and interact with providers and partnering organizations

Learning Objectives

• Identify means of creating a tailored referral system that streamlines connection to addiction medicine after jail or hospitalization to reduce barriers for patients seeking medications for OUD
• Demonstrate the critical role of community health navigation in successful care linkage

Host & Guest Bios

• Dr. Elizabeth Abbs is a primary care addiction medicine provider in San Francisco. She cares for a complex cohort of patients who live in the Tenderloin neighborhood - many of whom use drugs. Her work at the San Francisco Department of Public Health focuses on reducing barriers to care for patients accessing medications for their substance use disorder, incentivizing harm reduction efforts, and improving safe (and compassionate) prescribing of controlled medications for chronic pain.
• Phil McNamara is the Outreach Manager at MATTERS Network. Leading a team of Regional Outreach Coordinators across NYS, connecting individuals to outpatient follow-up care and harm reduction resources. He has a background as an SUD Counselor specializing in MOUD at a Buffalo-based OTP, and as a Community Outreach Coordinator specializing in HCV Linkage and Harm Reduction. Phil is the founder of Buffalo Resilience a nonprofit providing meals and harm reduction supplies & training to underserved communities in WNY. He believes that a strong community can offer many different paths to recovery and is passionate about building strong community connections.
• Isabella Wilklow is the Support Services Coordinator at MATTERS, where she assists individuals seeking connection to treatment for opioid use disorder. Her work is rooted in advocacy & compassion.

Timestamps:

• [00:00:46] – Introduction to the MATTERS program
• Dr. Elizabeth Abs introduces Phil McNamara and Bella Wilklow, and explains what MATTERS is.
• [00:03:33] – How MATTERS connects individuals to MOUD in 24 hours
• Description of the MATTERS system, telehealth services, and free medication/transportation.
• [00:06:57] – Dr. Lynch’s motivation and the emergency room barrier loop
• Phil McNamara shares the founding story and why paper referrals weren't working.
• [00:09:27] – Transportation and medication vouchers explained
• How MATTERS added practical solutions like vouchers to address financial and access barriers.
• [00:11:41] – The tech + human hybrid approach to outreach
• Bella and Phil describe the significance of local coordinators and adapting to community needs.
• [00:14:54] – Harm reduction values and personalized regional strategy
• Using community input to shape implementation and outreach across New York State.
• [00:17:43] – What happens when clients lack phones or housing
• MATTERS works with case managers and partners to continue care and outreach despite challenges.
• [00:22:16] – Typical timeline from referral to treatment
• Emphasis on the

Find us online at amersa.org/amersa-podcast 

Frontiers in Substance Use & Stigma & Substance Use are sponsored by Provider’s Clinical Support System – Medication for Opioid Use Disorder (PCSS-MOUD). Learn more about PCSS-MOUD at pcssnow.org.

Funding for this initiative was made possible by cooperative agreement no. 1H79TI086770 from SAMHSA. The views expressed in written conference materials or publications and by speakers and moderators do not necessarily reflect the official policies of the Department of Health and Human Services; nor does mention of trade names, commercial practices, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.

Substance Use Across the Lifespan and Innovation in Action are sponsored by the Opioid Response Network (ORN). Learn more about ORN at opioidresponsenetwork.org.

Funding for this initiative was made possible (in part) by grant no. 1H79TI088037 from SAMHSA. The views expressed in written conference materials or publications and by speakers and moderators do not necessarily reflect the official policies of the Department of Health and Human Services; nor does mention of trade names, commercial practices, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.

The Program for Education in Drugs and Alcohol for Latine (PEDAL) is an example of a partnership between community-based organizations and addiction medicine clinicians. In this episode the guest discuss their collaboration to co-develop a training program for promotores, also known as community health workers, to address unhealthy substance use in the Latine community, offering a model for building workforce capacity to address increasing rates of overdose amongst Latine in a culturally and linguistically informed approach.

Learning Objectives

• Demonstrate how to develop a collaborative partnership with community-based organizations to build workforce capacity.
• Identify the factors for effective implementation of a curriculum for community health workers.
• Name a strength to building the capacity of community health workers to address substance use.

Host & Guest Bios

1. Host: Marlene Martin, MD, is an Associate Professor of Clinical Medicine at UCSF, Director of Addiction Initiatives for the Latinx Center of Excellence, a hospitalist at San Francisco General Hospital (SFGH), and Director of the Addiction Care Team (ACT) at SFGH. Drawn to medicine to address health inequities and social injustices, her interests lie in systems improvement and innovation with a focus on addiction, community partnerships, Latine health, and care transitions. Marlene is committed to transforming systems of care to improve health outcomes for marginalized communities and ensuring that addiction care is compassionate, accessible, and equitable. She co-leads the Program for Education on Drugs and Alcohol for Latine (PEDAL).
2. Triveni DeFries, MD, MPH is a physician and Assistant Professor at the University of California, San Francisco and Core Faculty in the Institute of Global Health Sciences. She practices internal medicine and addiction medicine at San Francisco General Hospital. She is a clinician consultant on the Substance Use Warmline for the National Clinician Consultation Center. She co-leads the Program for Education on Drugs and Alcohol for Latine (PEDAL).
3. Dairo Romero is an immigrant from Colombia with a lifelong passion for social justice, community empowerment, and equity for immigrant and Latino communities. He is Community Initiatives Manager at Mission Economic Development Agency in San Francisco, where he works to advocate for affordable housing in the Mission District. There, he supports families facing displacement and helps build grassroots leadership to fight for dignified living conditions. He helped develop Promotoras Activas SF, a cooperative led by Latina women dedicated to health education, leadership training, and community outreach. He participated in the Program of Education on Drugs and Alcohol, helping to bring awareness and prevention strategies to Latino families and youth.

Timestamps:

• 00:00] Welcome & Episode Overview
• [01:00] Guest Introductions & Roles
• [04:32] How the Program (PEDAL) Started
• [07:59] Promotores: History & Role in Health
• [10:29] Organizational Partnerships Behind the Program
• [13:19] Motivations to Join the Curriculum
• [19:32] Curriculum Content and Approach
• [25:38] Favorite Teaching Strategies & Reflections
• [30:17] Challenges in Curriculum Development
• [36:24] Results, Outcomes & Key Takeaways

Links

• AMERSA
• Promotor Training Seeks to Improve Outcomes for Latinos/x With Substance Use Disorder
• Promotor Program for Education in Drugs and Alcohol for Latinx
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Find us online at amersa.org/amersa-podcast 

Frontiers in Substance Use & Stigma & Substance Use are sponsored by Provider’s Clinical Support System – Medication for Opioid Use Disorder (PCSS-MOUD). Learn more about PCSS-MOUD at pcssnow.org.

Funding for this initiative was made possible by cooperative agreement no. 1H79TI086770 from SAMHSA. The views expressed in written conference materials or publications and by speakers and moderators do not necessarily reflect the official policies of the Department of Health and Human Services; nor does mention of trade names, commercial practices, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.

Substance Use Across the Lifespan and Innovation in Action are sponsored by the Opioid Response Network (ORN). Learn more about ORN at opioidresponsenetwork.org.

Funding for this initiative was made possible (in part) by grant no. 1H79TI088037 from SAMHSA. The views expressed in written conference materials or publications and by speakers and moderators do not necessarily reflect the official policies of the Department of Health and Human Services; nor does mention of trade names, commercial practices, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.

This episode explores the "contagious" nature of stigma in substance use disorders (SUDs), revealing how shame and discrimination spread beyond the 45-50 million Americans with SUDs to affect an estimated 45-300 million family members. While stigma's impact on individuals with SUDs is well-documented, this conversation spotlights how families become "stigmatized by association," driving them "underground" and leading to isolation, delayed help-seeking, compromised mental health, strained relationships, and poorer recovery outcomes for the entire family system.

Learning Objectives

• Identify at least three ways stigma impacts family members of individuals with substance use disorders, including specific effects on mental/physical health, help-seeking behaviors, and family dynamics.
• Analyze how "stigma by association" creates unique barriers for families in accessing support and contributing to their loved one's change process.
• Apply evidence-based communication strategies to reduce stigma when interacting with families affected by substance use disorders in professional or community settings.

Host & Guest Bios

1. Dr. Brandee Madden is an Assistant Professor at Vanderbilt University School of Nursing. She is an experienced nursing educator and psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner who has provided treatment for mental health and substance use disorders in the community for over 15 years. Her clinical expertise is in the treatment of tobacco use in individuals with mental health and substance use disorders.
2. Dr. Jeff Foote is a psychologist and nationally-recognized clinical researcher with over 30 years of experience in evidence-based treatment for substance use disorders and trauma. He has been driving change in the field of addiction treatment as Co-President and CEO of CMC:Foundation for Change, Co-Founder of the Center for Motivation and Change and co-author of the award-winning books "Beyond Addiction: How Science and Kindness Help People Change" and "The Beyond Addiction Workbook for Family and Friends."
3. Dr. Carrie Wilkens is a psychologist with over 20 years of experience in substance use, trauma treatment, and working with families of those struggling with substance use. She is the Co-Founder and President of the non-profit, CMC:Foundation for Change, and Co-Founder of the Center for Motivation and Change treatment network and the co-author of the award-winning books "Beyond Addiction: How Science and Kindness Help People Change" and "The Beyond Addiction Workbook for Family and Friends," establishing her as a leader driving change in the field of addiction treatment.

Timestamps:

• [00:01] – Episode introduction: “Stigmatized by Association” with Dr. Brandi Madden, Dr. Wilkins, and Dr. Foote
• [03:00] – Three main learning objectives for understanding stigma's impact on families
• [05:00] – How families are often excluded from treatment systems
• [07:25] – The double burden: Families are blamed for causing and not fixing the issue
• [10:45] – The damaging role of labels like “enabler” and “codependent”
• [16:59] – The turning point: introducing evidence-based communication and support tools
• [25:00] – Understanding behavior through the “behaviors make sense” lens
• [39:00] – Case study of Grace: trauma, stigma, and treatment
• [45:00] – Practical recommendations for reducing stigma in clinical settings
• [47:50] – Final reflections and call to action for cultural and systemic change

Links

• AMERSA
• Foote, J., Wilkens, C., Kosanke, N., & Higgs, S. (2014). Beyond addiction: how science and kindness help people change : a guide for families. First Scribner hardcover edition. Scribner.
• Foote, P. D. (2022). The Beyond Addiction Wor

Find us online at amersa.org/amersa-podcast 

Frontiers in Substance Use & Stigma & Substance Use are sponsored by Provider’s Clinical Support System – Medication for Opioid Use Disorder (PCSS-MOUD). Learn more about PCSS-MOUD at pcssnow.org.

Funding for this initiative was made possible by cooperative agreement no. 1H79TI086770 from SAMHSA. The views expressed in written conference materials or publications and by speakers and moderators do not necessarily reflect the official policies of the Department of Health and Human Services; nor does mention of trade names, commercial practices, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.

Substance Use Across the Lifespan and Innovation in Action are sponsored by the Opioid Response Network (ORN). Learn more about ORN at opioidresponsenetwork.org.

Funding for this initiative was made possible (in part) by grant no. 1H79TI088037 from SAMHSA. The views expressed in written conference materials or publications and by speakers and moderators do not necessarily reflect the official policies of the Department of Health and Human Services; nor does mention of trade names, commercial practices, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.

In this episode, Teetotal Initiative will provide insight into an innovative and underexplored but critical component of recovery: the impact of social interaction on recovery capital ecosystems and prevention of return to use. Despite its importance, organizing substance-free events for the community as a recovery tool is underutilized, leaving a gap in day-to-day sober- and recovery-oriented quality of life. This episode highlights Teetotal Initiative’s unique, scalable model for sober-focused events, offering tangible ideas for complementing formal treatment with consistent, community-rooted programming that addresses return to use predictors, stigma, and supports long-term recovery success.

Learning Objectives

• Identify three features that differentiate Teetotal Initiative’s model from other recovery support programs, communities, or services.
• Describe two ways Teetotal Initiative’s programming is strengthening both the recovery community and the broader community.
• Explain how Teetotal Initiative’s model and programming are helping to challenge or reduce self-stigma and social stigma around recovery.

Host & Guest Bios

1. Holly Hagle, Ph.D., serves as the Chief Learning and Research Officer for the American Academy of Addiction Psychiatry. Her expertise lies in applying Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT), with a particular focus on youth and young adults. Dr. Hagle has developed curricula addressing Adolescent Co-occurring Disorders, implementing SBIRT in youth settings, and creating educational content for transitional age youth. With over twenty years of experience as an addiction health services educator and researcher, her work spans treatment, recovery, and prevention, integrating applied research and education.
2. Jackie Slaugenhaupt is a nonprofit advocate and financial services professional with over 15 years of volunteer experience in nonprofit leadership and fundraising. She brings more than 25 years of experience in financial services and has held leadership roles at several Fortune 100 banks. A change and management expert with a specialty in data visualization, Jackie is also a person in recovery. Her lived experience informs her work as co-founder of Teetotal Initiative, a nonprofit focused on helping individuals sustain recovery through community and connection.
3. Dr. Lauren Broyles serves as the Director of Creative Arts Programming for Teetotal Initiative. She is a woman in long term recovery, as well as a former addiction health services researcher and nurse. Lauren is a former addiction health services researcher, AMERSA Board Member, and Associate Editor for SAj. She currently works as a Senior Grant Writer & Editor in the Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Health Sciences at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.

Timestamps:

• [00:02] – The 3 unique goals of the TTO Initiative model
• [04:56] – Why traditional recovery lacks social outlets—and how TTO began
• [09:05] – Who TTO serves: from sober-curious to long-term recovery
• [10:45] – Four types of events: holistic, arts, pop-ups, and large community gatherings
• [13:42] – The origin story of their art programming and early momentum
• [17:48] – What makes TTO different from “just going to yoga with friends”
• [22:59] – Inside their fish printing art event: community, creativity, and impact
• [30:56] – How they fund a fast-growing nonprofit with free events
• [34:20] – The real numbers: impact evaluation on loneliness, boredom, and mindset
• [41:36] – Tackling stigma and building visibility through joyful sober identities

Links

AMERSA

Burkhart, Roberta. Pittsburgh’s Teetotal Initiative offers sober social connection. Pittsburgh Post Gazette. March 22, 2025. Accessed April 21, 2025.

Find us online at amersa.org/amersa-podcast 

Frontiers in Substance Use & Stigma & Substance Use are sponsored by Provider’s Clinical Support System – Medication for Opioid Use Disorder (PCSS-MOUD). Learn more about PCSS-MOUD at pcssnow.org.

Funding for this initiative was made possible by cooperative agreement no. 1H79TI086770 from SAMHSA. The views expressed in written conference materials or publications and by speakers and moderators do not necessarily reflect the official policies of the Department of Health and Human Services; nor does mention of trade names, commercial practices, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.

Substance Use Across the Lifespan and Innovation in Action are sponsored by the Opioid Response Network (ORN). Learn more about ORN at opioidresponsenetwork.org.

Funding for this initiative was made possible (in part) by grant no. 1H79TI088037 from SAMHSA. The views expressed in written conference materials or publications and by speakers and moderators do not necessarily reflect the official policies of the Department of Health and Human Services; nor does mention of trade names, commercial practices, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.

In this episode, we dive into why language in client and patient records matters—and how it can shape care experiences. We explore practical ways to use non-stigmatizing language in health records and discuss the role of electronic health record (EHR) in shaping documentation. Who designs these systems, and how can they be improved? We also examine real-world case scenarios where stigmatizing notes have had lasting impacts on individuals. Whether you're a provider, policymaker, or advocate, this episode offers insight into making health records more respectful, equitable, and aligned with patient-centered care.

Learning Objectives

• Recognize how the electronic health record (EHR) can negatively impact individuals.
• Implement changes to existing EHR systems to incorporate strength-based, person-first, and non-stigmatizing language
• Reflect on the importance of self-awareness when writing notes and consider the potential uses and impacts of those records.

Host & Guest Bios

1. Sunny Kung, MD is the medical director of the Mass General Brigham Merrimack Valley Bridge Clinic in Haverhill, MA. She completed her addiction medicine fellowship at Massachusetts General Hospital and her internal medicine residency at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, MA. She is a dedicated primary care and addiction medicine clinician who specializes in caring for people who use substances, those who are unhoused, immigrants, people with limited English proficiency, and other marginalized folks. As a staunch believer in harm reduction, she believes in allowing people to live their lives with dignity and safety.
2. Michelle Kavouras is a highly credentialed leader in addiction counseling, recovery support, and harm reduction with nearly a decade of experience training professionals in evidence-based care. She serves on multiple boards and commissions, including the NAADAC National Certification Commission for Addiction Professionals and Sitka’s Health Needs and Human Services Commission, and co-chairs the Southeast Alaska Alcohol Alliance. A dedicated harm reduction advocate, she collaborates on patient-centered research and works to advance stigma-free, person-centered care.
3. Dr. Nichole Nidey is a maternal-child health epidemiologist and assistant professor at the University of Iowa College of Public Health. Nidey founded the EMPOWER Project in 2019, which is a patient-centered collaborative of persons with lived experience of substance use during pregnancy. Through the EMPOWER Project, Nidey leads patient-centered research focused on improving healthcare for pregnant and postpartum individuals with substance use.

Timestamps:

• [00:45] Why documentation language matters more than we think
• [03:00] How EHRs can perpetuate stigma
• [05:43] The harm of "non-compliance" and labeling
• [08:45] How bias spreads through copy-pasted notes
• [12:15] When your own notes hurt your recovery
• [17:00] Empowering patients with MyChart (and its limits)
• [23:45] The ripple effects of biased documentation
• [29:30] Co-writing medical notes with patients
• [35:00] Shifting from “what’s wrong” to “what’s strong”
• [42:45] Practical strategies to change the system

Links

• AMERSA
• SpheraNova
• EMPOWER
• Academy of Perinatal Harm Reduction
• NAMI StigmaFree

Find us online at amersa.org/amersa-podcast 

Frontiers in Substance Use & Stigma & Substance Use are sponsored by Provider’s Clinical Support System – Medication for Opioid Use Disorder (PCSS-MOUD). Learn more about PCSS-MOUD at pcssnow.org.

Funding for this initiative was made possible by cooperative agreement no. 1H79TI086770 from SAMHSA. The views expressed in written conference materials or publications and by speakers and moderators do not necessarily reflect the official policies of the Department of Health and Human Services; nor does mention of trade names, commercial practices, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.

Substance Use Across the Lifespan and Innovation in Action are sponsored by the Opioid Response Network (ORN). Learn more about ORN at opioidresponsenetwork.org.

Funding for this initiative was made possible (in part) by grant no. 1H79TI088037 from SAMHSA. The views expressed in written conference materials or publications and by speakers and moderators do not necessarily reflect the official policies of the Department of Health and Human Services; nor does mention of trade names, commercial practices, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.

Redemption stories in recovery are often more harmful than helpful. 

We’ve all absorbed the War on Drugs narrative—but even well-intended stories about substance use often reinforce stigma. In this episode, Meghann Perry and Dr. Dani Snyder-Young explore how internalized shame shapes personal and public storytelling, influencing care access and policy. They discuss research and applied storytelling techniques that shift the dominant narrative, promoting dignity and inclusion for people with lived and living experience of substance use. By embracing strength-based storytelling, we can rewrite the script—reducing stigma, fostering resilience, and broadening pathways to well-being. Tune in to learn how you can help change the conversation around substance use to prioritize dignity for people who use and used drugs.

Learning Objectives

• Describe the mechanism of belonging as it relates to storytelling, stigma and social support
• Identify the binary effect of redemption stories in the dominant narrative of substance use and recovery in the United States and how that impacts care for individuals
• Name and apply three characteristics of strength-based storytelling in their personal or professional role

Host & Guest Bios

1. Dr. Felipe Vasudevan completed an Internal Medicine & Addiction Medicine fellowship at NYU, and then ran a consult service at Woodhull Hospital in Brooklyn, NY before directing the Addiction Consult Service & Bridge Clinic at UCLA Hospital. His interests include reducing barriers to pharmacotherapy and addressing stigma in the hospital setting for people who use drugs and improving access and visibility to methadone and contingency management programs.
2. Meghann Perry, CARC, RCPF, is a Keynote Speaker, Educator and Addiction Recovery Coach Professional who has spent the last decade working in peer support, recovery advocacy and program design. She is best known for two groundbreaking programs: Recovery Storytelling and Embodied Storytelling and delivers high-impact presentations on storytelling as a tool for healing and advocacy for highly stigmatized conditions for organizations like NIH, NAADAC, HRSA, Peer Recovery Center of Excellence, and the Hazelden Foundation. Meghann is a former drug user who passionately supports people across the full spectrum of substance use, harm reduction and recovery and leads a team of dedicated facilitators redefining education in the substance and mental health field.
3. Dr. Dani Snyder-Young is Associate Professor of Theatre at Northeastern University. She led the NEA-funded Theatre participation and arts-integrated peer leadership in substance addiction recovery processes, which examines the role of theatre in supporting recovery from substance use disorder. Dani's forthcoming book, Sticking Stigma: Affect, Performance, and the Movement of Social Norms explores how performances manipulate stigma to address social inequalities.

Timestamps:

• [00:00] - Introduction to the podcast and episode theme
• [01:00] - Expert guest intros and their credentials
• [03:00] - Learning objectives of the episode
• [04:37] - Dani shares how theater intersects with recovery
• [05:50] - Meghann shares personal recovery journey and critiques of dominant narratives
• [08:03] - Defining stigma and its layers
• [10:00] - The deep link between storytelling and social belonging
• [14:21] - Unpacking the “redemption story” and its damaging effects
• [29:00] - Debunking the idea that shame leads to healing
• [42:33] - How strength-based storytelling shifts narratives and promotes care

Links & Learnings

• AMERSA
• Erving Goffman, Stigma: Notes on the Management of Spoiled Identity (New York: Simon and Schuster, 1963).
• E. Summerson Carr, Scripting Add

Find us online at amersa.org/amersa-podcast 

Frontiers in Substance Use & Stigma & Substance Use are sponsored by Provider’s Clinical Support System – Medication for Opioid Use Disorder (PCSS-MOUD). Learn more about PCSS-MOUD at pcssnow.org.

Funding for this initiative was made possible by cooperative agreement no. 1H79TI086770 from SAMHSA. The views expressed in written conference materials or publications and by speakers and moderators do not necessarily reflect the official policies of the Department of Health and Human Services; nor does mention of trade names, commercial practices, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.

Substance Use Across the Lifespan and Innovation in Action are sponsored by the Opioid Response Network (ORN). Learn more about ORN at opioidresponsenetwork.org.

Funding for this initiative was made possible (in part) by grant no. 1H79TI088037 from SAMHSA. The views expressed in written conference materials or publications and by speakers and moderators do not necessarily reflect the official policies of the Department of Health and Human Services; nor does mention of trade names, commercial practices, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.

 In San Antonio, HIV is treated with love, not judgment—and it’s working. 

We will discuss how stigma: 1) contributes to HIV acquisition, 2) prevents people living with HIV from seeking and remaining in care, and 3) effective, evidence-based strategies for mitigating stigma. We will explore effective ways to reach, support, and treat individuals who use substances, who are at a high risk for acquiring HIV and, once acquired, falling out of care.

Learning Objectives

• Analyze root-causes of HIV stigma;
• Explain the intersectionality of HIV risks and SUD;
• Identify evidence-based strategies for treating individuals with SUD who are also PLWH or at-risk.

Host & Guest Bios

1. Dr. Deepika Slawek is an HIV primary care and addiction medicine physician and researcher practicing in the Bronx, NY. She attended University of Texas at Austin as an undergraduate and Texas A&M for medical school and then completed her medical training in New York State. She has been working in the field of HIV and addiction for over a decade.
2. Michele Durham is the 31 year CEO of BEAT AIDS, the largest, longest-lasting HIV/AIDS Services Organization in South Texas. She holds a Bachelors of Business Administration degree in accounting from Lamar University and a Master’s degree in psychological education from the University of Texas at San Antonio with an emphasis in guidance and counseling. She has been working in the field of substance use disorder as it intersects with HIV in the South for over 35 years.
3. Cindi Salinas is a substance use disorder counselor in Texas. She is a graduate of Elmhurst College and the Institute of Chemical Dependency Studies. She has been working in the field of substance use disorder as a counselor for eight years and in direct care for four years. She also has unique insight as someone with lived experience.

Timestamps:

• [00:45] The current state of HIV in South Texas
• [04:59] Historical failings that caused the HIV spike in the South
• [07:56] How stigma worsens both HIV and substance use
• [10:15] What Beat AIDS does differently—and why it works
• [13:59] The importance of trauma-informed care
• [17:45] Peer support and rapid-start medication explained
• [22:43] The community-led model that’s saving lives
• [28:54] Mobile testing and reaching the unreachable
• [33:41] The changing landscape of HIV and SUD care in the South
• [41:10] The “kick-in” approach and why it’s saving lives

Links

• Amersa
• Beat Aids

Find us online at amersa.org/amersa-podcast 

Frontiers in Substance Use & Stigma & Substance Use are sponsored by Provider’s Clinical Support System – Medication for Opioid Use Disorder (PCSS-MOUD). Learn more about PCSS-MOUD at pcssnow.org.

Funding for this initiative was made possible by cooperative agreement no. 1H79TI086770 from SAMHSA. The views expressed in written conference materials or publications and by speakers and moderators do not necessarily reflect the official policies of the Department of Health and Human Services; nor does mention of trade names, commercial practices, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.

Substance Use Across the Lifespan and Innovation in Action are sponsored by the Opioid Response Network (ORN). Learn more about ORN at opioidresponsenetwork.org.

Funding for this initiative was made possible (in part) by grant no. 1H79TI088037 from SAMHSA. The views expressed in written conference materials or publications and by speakers and moderators do not necessarily reflect the official policies of the Department of Health and Human Services; nor does mention of trade names, commercial practices, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.

Addiction care in the ER isn’t just about patients—it’s about fixing medicine itself.

Emergency Department Bridge Programs allow ED physicians to connect patients in the ED with comprehensive addiction care. While the benefits of bridge programs for patients with opioid use disorder are known, what’s less understood is how these programs affect the lives of the providers themselves. For a paper published in Academic Emergency Medicine last year, researchers interviewed providers about these programs and found that patients were not the only benefactors.

Learning Objectives

• ED bridge programs may require extra work, but this study demonstrates they make life for ED providers better.
• Much attention is paid to hard data and quantitative research, but qualitative studies can be persuasive as well.
• We all should acknowledge that people need to find meaning in their work and incentivize programs that generate that meaning.

Host & Guest Bios

• Dr. Jeffrey Bratberg studies the essential and emerging roles community pharmacists play regarding opioid overdose response, harm reduction, and opioid use disorder treatment. He advocates for pharmacists’ expanded roles in medication access, public health promotion, and policy change through research, practice, and teaching.
• Rachel Haroz MD is an emergency medicine, toxicology and addiction medicine physician in Camden, NJ focused on bringing innovative and low barrier access to care to vulnerable populations.
• Jessica Heil is a public health researcher specializing in addiction studies and health disparities. As Research Manager at Cooper University Health Care, she leads clinical research, supervises staff, and fosters community collaborations. She has extensive experience in opioid use disorder treatment and harm reduction, she is committed to advancing evidence-based healthcare interventions.

Timestamps:

• [00:03] Why Bridge Programs Are About More Than Patients
• [04:55] The “Aha Moment” That Changed a Career
• [07:33] The Surprising Source of Provider Satisfaction
• [10:55] How They Got ER Docs to Open Up
• [13:42] From Skeptic to Advocate—A Doctor’s Journey
• [17:59] What Providers Really Feel About This Work
• [20:33] Why Addiction Is an Emergency
• [23:45] The Power of 15 Seconds of Empathy
• [25:51] What’s Next—Methadone and EMS Programs
• [29:30] The One Story That Could Change Your Program

Links

• Amersa
• Heil JM, Lassiter JM, Salzman MS, Herring A, Hoppe J, Lynch M, Weiner SG, Roberts B, Haroz R. A qualitative assessment of emergency physicians' experiences with robust emergency department buprenorphine bridge programs. Acad Emerg Med. 2024 Jun;31(6):576-583. doi: 10.1111/acem.14880. Epub 2024 Feb 15. PMID: 38357749. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38357749/

Find us online at amersa.org/amersa-podcast 

Frontiers in Substance Use & Stigma & Substance Use are sponsored by Provider’s Clinical Support System – Medication for Opioid Use Disorder (PCSS-MOUD). Learn more about PCSS-MOUD at pcssnow.org.

Funding for this initiative was made possible by cooperative agreement no. 1H79TI086770 from SAMHSA. The views expressed in written conference materials or publications and by speakers and moderators do not necessarily reflect the official policies of the Department of Health and Human Services; nor does mention of trade names, commercial practices, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.

Substance Use Across the Lifespan and Innovation in Action are sponsored by the Opioid Response Network (ORN). Learn more about ORN at opioidresponsenetwork.org.

Funding for this initiative was made possible (in part) by grant no. 1H79TI088037 from SAMHSA. The views expressed in written conference materials or publications and by speakers and moderators do not necessarily reflect the official policies of the Department of Health and Human Services; nor does mention of trade names, commercial practices, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.