Registration

MHA Welcome Comments

Keynote: Reshaping Drug Policy – Decriminalization as Harm Reduction
A keynote presentation on the Drug Policy Alliance’s campaign, “Decriminalize Drugs, Invest in Health,” focusing on how decriminalization advances harm reduction principles and health equity for communities most affected by drug use, criminalization, and barriers to care.

Sobering Space for Patients Who Use Stimulants and Overamping Response
A presentation and Q&A on overamping identification and response in Massachusetts.
Justin Alves, R.N., Clinical Nurse Educator, Boston Medical Center

• Tara Pacheco, Project Manager – Stimulant Treatment and Recovery Team, High Point Treatment Center

• Heather Pietras-Gladu, Program Director, Stimulant Treatment and Recover Team/SUD/Housing Recovery and Support Program, Center for Human Development

Into Light Presentation and Interactive Exhibit
An introduction to Into Light, a national art activism project that seeks to dismantle the stigma surrounding addiction and address misconceptions about the disease.
Theresa Clower, Founder & Artist, Into Light Project

Opportunity to View Into Light Exhibit and Break

Reimagining the Detox Model
A moderated panel discussion on the challenges and limitations of detox facilities and considerations for reform.

Moderator: Walae Hayek, Senior Manager, Health Equity, Massachusetts Health & Hospital Association

• Sarah Wakeman, M.D., Senior Medical Director for Substance Use Disorder, Mass General Brigham
• Avik Chatterjee, M.D., Medical Director, Southampton Street Shelter Clinic
• Nalan Ward, M.D., Chief Medical Officer, Behavioral Health, Beth Israel Lahey Health

Improving Emergency Department Access to Medications for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD)
A presentation on MHA’s updated guidelines for MOUD in the ED, followed by Q&A.

• Alex Levie, Senior Manager, Regulatory Policy, Massachusetts Health & Hospital Association
• Lauren Nentwich, M.D., Vice Chair of Clinical Affairs, Department of Emergency Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital
• Bill Soares, M.D., Director of Harm Reduction Services, Department of Emergency Medicine, Baystate Medical Center
• Natalija Farrell, Senior Patient Safety Specialist, Emergency Department, Boston Medical Center

LUNCH BREAK

Continuity of Care Across Settings
A moderated panel discussion on models for medication access in long-term care.
Moderator: Jennifer Miller, State Opioid Response Program Manager, Bureau of Substance Addiction Services
Panelists:

• Heidi DiRoberto, Regional Executive Director, Spectrum Health Systems  
• Jessica Fortier-Goss, Regional Director, Acadia Healthcare, Comprehensive Treatment Centers
• Michael Brassard, Regional Director of Operations, BayMark Health Services
• Norma B-Mullings, Administrator, Parson’s Hill Rehabilitation & Health Care Center 

Sustaining and Expanding Hospital-Based SUD Services
A series of presentations on programs funded by DPH to support hospital bridge clinics and addiction consult services.
Moderator: Sarah Ruiz, Deputy Director for Strategy and Community Health, Bureau of Substance Addiction Services, Department of Public Health
Presenters:

• Todd Kerensky, M.D., Medical Director of Addiction Medicine, South Shore Health
• Edna Rodriguez, Director of Behavioral Health, Mercy Medical Center
• Karrin Weisenthal, M.D, Associate Medical Director, Faster Paths to Treatment, Boston Medical Center 

Linkages to Care
A moderated panel on the importance of linkages to care from the hospital to the community, highlighting RIZE Massachusetts’ report and grant program.
Moderator: Julie Burns, President, RIZE Massachusetts
Panelists:

• Rich Hollett, Director of Recovery Support Services, Lowell House 
• Jasmine Irvin, Senior Program Manager for Health Equity, Mass General Program in Substance Use and Addiction Services, Mass General Hospital
• Tiffany Nigro, Executive Director, The Pettengill House

Closing Remarks; Adjourn