Cover 2 Resources

Greg interviews Mike Tobin, the Community and Public Affairs Specialist with the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Cleveland, OH. As the Community and Public Affairs Specialist, Mike oversees the office’s interactions with both the media and the community, covering a multitude of high profile cases, including those relating to the opioid epidemic.

Listen to the podcast to discover how law enforcement and the Department of Justice are going undercover to take down online communities devoted to illegal trading and the sale of drugs.

Greg interviews Gary Mendell, the founder of HEI Hotels & Resorts and Shatterproof, a non-profit organization dedicated to working for policy change to help combat the opioid epidemic. Mr. Mendell created Shatterproof in honor of his son Brian, who lost his battle to substance abuse in 2011.

Listen to the podcast to discover how Mr. Mendell and Shatterproof are building a coalition of organizations to create an infrastructure to measure which processes work best for those fighting against substance abuse disorder.

Greg interviews Rene Elefteriou, a resident of Parma, Ohio that started the program B.A. FORCE, Battling Addiction Families of Recovering Children & Education. B.A. FORCE was created to help families affected by the opioid epidemic, as well as those suffering or recovering from substance abuse disorder.

Listen to the podcast to discover how Rene and those working with B.A. FORCE are inspiring others in Parma and the greater Northeast Ohio area to reach out, seek help, and speak about their experiences to spread awareness.

Greg interviews Michael Summers, the mayor of Lakewood, Ohio - an inner ring suburb right outside downtown Cleveland. Since 2015, the number of opioid overdoses in Lakewood has more than tripled, and Mayor Summers and his team have developed a new program called SOAR (Supporting Opiate Addiction Recovery) to combat the growing crisis.

Listen to the podcast to discover how the community of Lakewood is continuing to work together to build awareness and support for those affected by the opioid epidemic.

Greg interviews Lydia Ramsey, a reporter for Business Insider, covering pharmaceutical, biotech industries, and healthcare. He also interviews Jay Ruais, the Chief Operating Officer and Vice President of Government Affairs for the Addiction Policy Forum in Washington, D.C. Both Lydia and Jay have closely followed Congress’ decisions on healthcare reform.

Listen to the podcast to discover how the government aims to continue its commitment to funding programs that aid in the opioid epidemic, and how granting states waivers can help in the process.

Greg interviews Thom Olmstead, the Director of University Partner Collaborations at St. Vincent Charity Medical Center, as well as Orlando Howard, the Manager of Outpatient Treatment Services at Rosary Hall. The St. Vincent Charity Medical Center and Rosary Hall are currently running a pilot program that offers free Uber rides to those in Intensive Out Patient Program (IOP) Treatment.

Listen to the podcast to discover how this program is directly affecting IOP treatment patient’s lives and how it helps keep those recovering from substance abuse disorder stay on track.

Greg interviews Dr. Doug Nemecek, the Chief medical officer of CIGNA’s Behavioral Health Business. Dr. Nemecek, along with CIGNA, has worked to create a program to cut down on the amount of opioids prescribed to patients.

Listen to the podcast to discover how this program is not only helping to reduce overprescribing and treat substance abuse disorders, but is also eliminating the stigma of substance abuse disorder and opioid use disorder being a character flaw.

Dr. Phyllis Hendry is a tenured Professor of Emergency Medicine and Pediatrics at the University of Florida College of Medicine in Jacksonville. She completed her pediatric residency at Louisiana State University Medical Center in Shreveport followed by a pediatric emergency medicine fellowship at University of Florida Health Science Center/Jacksonville. She served as Director of Pediatric Emergency Services at UF Health from 1993-2005 and since 2008 has been Assistant Chair for Emergency Medicine Research. In March 2016 she was appointed TraumaOne Deputy Medical Director of Pediatric Transport.

Listen to the podcast to discover how P.A.M.I. provides both physicians and patients with free access to pain management education videos, dosing guides, and discharge plans to make sure patients are fully aware of their options.

Greg interviews Dr. Sarah Friebert, the Director of Pediatric Palliative Care at Akron Children’s Hospital. The Pediatric Palliative Care Center provides care to children that are affected by complex, chronic, or serious conditions.

Listen to the podcast to discover how Dr. Friebert and her team at Akron Children's Hospital are building community care to combat the growing opioid epidemic.

Greg interviews Emelia Sherin, a sophomore public relations student at Kent State University. Emelia recently wrote a play covering the perspective and daily struggle of those suffering from substance abuse disorder.

Listen to the podcast to discover how Emelia turned these interviews into a live stage play and what she learned from her time speaking with those affected by the opioid epidemic.