Annual Conference

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 13 – PRE-CONFERENCE

Click here for pre-conference activity descriptions.

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 14

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 15

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 16

All activities are CE/CME/IPCE eligible with purchase of credits. (Full Conference: 16.5 credits and Pre-conference 4.5 credits)

Friday, November 15

Harm Reduction Vending Machines: Saving Lives and Preventing Infections, One Supply Item at a Time

Facilitators: Tessa Lynne Rife-Pennington, PharmD, BCGP; Andrew (Andie) Ruggles, LCSW; Thao Thanh Vu, PharmD; Jenna Ferrara, LCSW; Shannon Stevens, LCSW; Amehed Shek, LISW

This workshop will engage attendees with evidence for harm reduction vending machines, key implementation strategies, data tracking and evaluation, and address common challenges, barriers, and concerns. Additionally, future research priorities will be discussed, including the potential for addressing health disparities, dispensing a range of harm reduction supplies, incorporating participant feedback, and implementing in settings with high potential impact.

Pills, Periods, and Prenatals: Providing Reproductive Health Care in Low-Barrier Substance Use Disorder Treatment

Facilitators: Jordana Laks, MD; Cecily May Barber, MD, MPH; Allison Garrant, RN

This workshop will train participants to address reproductive health needs of people with SUD using the reproductive justice framework. Using cases, we will practice key clinical and counseling skills applicable in low-barrier treatment. Finally, participants will begin a reproductive health services implementation plan to bring back to their organizations.

Psychostimulants for Stimulant Use Disorder: Current Evidence and Legal Landscape

Facilitators: Derek Carr, JD; Kate Boulton, JD, MPH; Leslie W. Suen, MD, MAS; Phillip Coffin, FACP, MA, MD; Corey Davis, JD, MPH; Sarah Leyde, MD

This workshop will explore the clinical and legal landscape regarding the prescribing of psychostimulants for StUD. Addiction medicine physicians will describe the current evidence for the practice, and attorneys with expertise in laws governing SUD treatment will explain the relevant federal and state legal frameworks. Results from a novel 50-state analysis of the potential application of state medical practice and controlled substance laws will be discussed. Workshop attendees will learn practical skills about this promising practice, how to understand and navigate the legal landscape in their state(s), and how to identify opportunities to address real and perceived barriers to prescribing psychostimulants for StUD.

Leveraging Community-Engaged Methods in Research to Design Addiction Treatment That Is More Relevant to the Needs and Perspectives of Black People Who Have Substance Use Disorders (SUDs)

Facilitators: Miriam Komaromy, MD; Phillip Reason, MPH, MSW; Natrina L Johnson, PhD; Avik Chatterjee, MD, MPH; Daneiris Heredia Perez, MSc

This workshop provides an opportunity for attendees to learn about research strategies for community-engagement through the discussion of the example of an action-based research project focused on how to make SUD treatment more appealing, effective, and equitable for Black/African-American people. Attendees will have an opportunity to develop their own plan for engaging Black community members who have SUDs in order to inform their research plans.

Leveling up the Addiction Mentorship Workforce

Facilitators: Ximena A. Levander, MD MCR; Kenneth L. Morford, MD; Alyssa Peterkin, MD; Donna Beers, MSN, RN-BC, CARN; Dymon Morgan, MD

This workshop provides an opportunity for attendees to learn to define key terminologies in the current state of mentoring in health sciences, devise a plan for expanding their mentorship network and practice mentorship strategies to support individuals who are underrepresented in substance use research, education, clinical care and policy arenas.

Using the NO Stigma Simulation Suite As an Innovative Approach to Empowering Providers to Reduce Healthcare-Related Stigma in the Care of Individuals with Opioid Use Disorder

Facilitators: Mirinda B Tyo, PhD, RN; Jennifer Viveiros, CNE, PhD, RN; Mary K. McCurry, ACNP, ANP-BC, PhD, RN-BC; Monika Schuler, CNE, FNP-BC, PhD

Attendees will learn to demonstrate evidence-based practice by integrating simulation research findings into the care for individuals with OUD, apply strategies in stigma reduction through active participation in a NO STIGMA simulation case focused on OUD, and analyze the elements of effective debriefing and the role of reflective learning during the simulated care of individuals with OUD.

Applying a Multidisciplinary Approach to Evaluation and Monitoring of Substance-Related Sedation in Low Threshold Spaces

Facilitators: Michelle Whitaker, BSN, CARN, RN; Morgan Younkin, MD, MPH; Samantha Walsh, NP, RN; Caitlin Pollard, MSN, RN; Tehya Johnson, AGPCNP-BC; Max Bernstein, BS; Pam Sprouse, CM; Shirley E Berard, CM

Attendees will learn to summarize key components of the initial multidisciplinary evaluation of a sedated guest​ including comfortably describing the level of sedation of a guest using the Inova Sedation Scale; apply the procedures involved in close sedation monitoring and milieu management to typical client case presentations​; and use structured decision support tools to demonstrate when administration of oxygen and naloxone or higher level of care are indicated during sedation support.

Bugs, Drugs, and Harm Reduction: Skills for Optimizing Antibiotic Therapy in People Who Use Drugs

Facilitators: Ayesha Appa, MD; Kinna Thakarar, DO, MPH; Madeline McCrary, MD; Amelia Goff, FNP-C; Kate Roberts, LCSW, MA, MSW, PhD Candidate; Amanda Roy, PharmD

This workshop hopes to equip Addiction Medicine clinicians with practical skills to: 1) collaborate with patients to determine the best antibiotic strategy; 2) understand the use of long-acting injectable antibiotics; 3) identify the most effective oral antibiotics; and 4) manage potential drug interactions. We hope this training enhances the care of PWUD with serious infections.

Implementing a Harm Reduction Safety Model for Perinatal Patients in the Inpatient Setting

Facilitators: Ilana Hull, FASAM, MD, MSc; Cambria H King, BA; Corey Davis, BSN

Attendees will learn to identify opportunities to integrate harm reduction strategies tailored to the perinatal and parenting population, learn strategies for decreasing stigma and increasing safety among hospitalized pregnant and postpartum patients at risk of in hospital substance use and enhance communication skills for discussing safety and harm reduction interventions with care team members and patients.

Saturday, November 15

Seize the Moment: Inpatient Hepatitis C Workup, Curative Treatment Initiation, and Linkage-to-Care

Facilitators: Madeline McCrary, MD; Ximena A. Levander, MD MCR; Kate Roberts, LCSW, MA, MSW, PhD Candidate; Natalie Stahl, MD, MPH; HaYoung Ryu, PharmD; Carissa Williams, LCSW, MPH; Jessica Elrod-Gallegos, LCSW, MSW; Joshua St. Louis, MD, MPH

Attendees will learn to describe the key components of and notable gaps in the HCV cascade of care for PWUD and how these components can be addressed during acute hospitalizations, including screening, work-up, and treatment initiation, using different possible care models and approaches; identify facilitators and barriers to inpatient HCV treatment implementation, possible ways to address noted barriers to care, and avenues to get buy-in from key partners and collaborators; and develop a plan for a possible inpatient HCV treatment model that participants can bring back to their respective home institution/group.

Inpatient Addiction Treatment: From Conception to Reality to Sustainability

Facilitators: John P Murray, MA, MD; Sophia Peng, FASAM, MD; Elisabeth A Poorman, MD; Katherine Welter, MD; Angela Kerins, PharmD; Emily Casselbury, FNP-BC; Aimee Potter, LCSW; Nick T Podjasek, CAADC; Geoffrey Pucci, PharmD

Attendees will learn to describe a framework to conduct a needs assessment for inpatient addiction services to gain institutional buy-in and support, demonstrate how interdisciplinary inpatient addiction medicine teams have successfully been launched and sustained, investigate how pharmacists have transformed inpatient pharmacies to meet the needs of people who use drugs with a focus on the application of the new “3-day rule” for methadone dispensation, and collaborate within interdisciplinary groups to explore questions around safe transitions of care, focusing on point of entry and discharge planning.

Advocating for Persons with Lived and Living Experience: Community Engagement and Empowerment

Facilitators: Caty Simon; David Frank, MA, PhD; Leslie Suen, MD, MAS; Kate Roberts, LCSW, MA, MSW, PhD Candidate; Zoe Weinstein, MD, MS; Paul Joudrey, MD, MPH; Noa Krawczyk, PhD

Attendees will be able to explain: (1) how clinicians and allies can support coalitions co-led by and centering PWLLE to build trust, (2) how clinicians and allies can work with PWLLE and call for Systemic Improvements through a National Conference, and (3) how clinicians and allies can leverage new relationships to generate actionable policy and practice recommendations.

Understanding and Applying a Novel Framework for Drug-Related Stigma

Facilitators: Shraddha Damaraju, MD, MPH; Evan Gale, MD; Wei Sum Li, MD; Sarah Wakeman, MD

Attendees will learn how to classify different examples of drug-related stigma into categories (person, substance, disorder) in a novel conceptual framework; synthesize the consequences of real instances of stigma faced by PWUD into three levels of effects (self, public, systemic); connect examples of stigmatizing beliefs related to drug use specifically faced by communities of color to the broader system of structural racism, design interventions addressing aforementioned instances of stigma, based on the three levels of effects (self, public, systemic); and practice applying this framework to destigmatize clinical documentation for patients who use drugs.

Getting Group Going: How to Implement Group-Based Care for Addiction Treatment in Primary Care

Facilitators: Vanessa Loukas, MSN, FNP-C, CARN-AP; Kristin Parent, LMHC; Megan Hudson, BSN, RN; Meghan Brett, LICSW; Justin Alves, CARN, CNE, FNP-BC

Attendees will learn how to assess at least two barriers and two facilitators of group function including identifying/outreach to the target population, group space/digital platform, workflow, staffing, and clinic culture; articulate two factors that cultivate supportive group experiences and promote positive patient experiences; construct outlines for effective group curriculums targeting various substance use disorders; and simulate and respond to common management issues that arise during group implementation.

“Listen to My Story, Learn from My Story, and Help Me Recover”: Assisting Recovery of People with Substance Use Disorder and Chronic Pain Using a Narrative Medicine-Based Approach

Facilitators: Ajay Manhapra, MD; Allyson Varley, PhD; Stefan Kertesz, MD

Attendees will be able to elicit the patient’s illness narrative, identify relevant BPS-relevant risk factors, and co-create a biographical BPS explanation for their CP condition that is both useful and credible to the patient; explain the clinical phenomena, mechanisms and therapeutic approaches related to primary and secondary chronic pain syndromes; explain the reciprocal reinforcing model of the relationship between substance use, pain, relief, and chronic pain; explain a BPS etiological narrative framework that explains progression of a person from healthy state to debilitating chronic pain; and help patients execute a comprehensive self-recovery plan.

“Risk Versus Risk” Addressing Family Safety, 42-CFR, Equity, and Child Welfare Reporting Mandates in Pregnant and Parenting People Who Use Substances: Lessons from a Multidisciplinary Collaboration

Facilitators: Jessica Gray, MD; Davida Schiff, MD, MSc; Patricia Rosell, MSW; Marlisa Greelis, RN; Melissa Maitland; Miriam Renz, LCSW; Latisha Goullad, Institute for Health and Recovery, Inc.,; Elizabeth Quinn, MD; Nicole Gerniglia, NP

This workshop provides an opportunity for attendees to learn how to describe a model for engaging in difficult conversations around pregnancy, parenting, substance use and trauma; explore how to approach 42CFR protections in a medical home can be used to promote patient autonomy and family safety; and utilize a framework for thinking about risk with patients who are in caregiver role.

In 2024, the AMERSA Climate Task Force is focused on improving the climate impact of our Annual Meeting by:

• Providing access to the conference materials and program through the conference app and QR codes during the meeting, and providing paper packets of conference materials only by request (and for a fee to offset waste, cost and effort to produce packets) Note: For the 2023 Annual meeting, approximately 14,000 pages were printed for members!
• Educating members about the climate impact of various methods of travel to the Annual Meeting in Chicago, and helping them to choose between options (e.g., between air travel and train)
• Providing step-by-step instructions to help members use public transportation to get to the conference hotel after arriving in Chicago
• Increasing offering of vegetarian and vegan meal options at the conference (reducing consumption of meat has the biggest impact on improving the climate impact of food consumption—even more than eating locally-sourced foods)
• Offering members tips about how to improve their climate impact during their time at the Annual meeting (e.g., turning off heating/cooling system and lights when they are away from their hotel room; bringing a refillable water bottle or cup with them)
• Eliminating the use of plastic cups and water bottles by the conference hotel
• Offering online maps to walking routes near the conference hotel, and locations of bicycles for rent

Cancellation Policy

A full refund will be provided for cancellations requested prior to September 1. A 50% refund will be provided for cancellations requested before October 1. NO refunds will be provided after October 1. Registrations are not transferable between people and can not be applied to future conferences.

Notice of registration cancellation for the conference or pre-conference must be made in writing to rachel@amersa.org.

2024 Conference Accreditation Statement

 Read all Accreditation and Designation Statements for AMERSA’s 48th Annual National Conference

DEA Requirement

The AMERSA 48^th annual conference is an ACCME accredited activity and can be counted towards the DEA’s new one-time eight-hour training requirement on the treatment and management of patients with opioid or other substance use disorders.

See the official letter to DEA-Registered Practitioners for more details. 

Providers renewing their DEA license will check a box attesting they have met the 8-hour training requirement – a certificate of completion is not required at this time.