Schedule

Miriam Komaromy, MD, FACP, DFASAM (Executive Director, Grayken Center for Addiction, Boston Medical Center; Professor of Medicine, Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston University)

Andrea Joy Campbell, Attorney General of Massachusetts

Moderator: Julia Reddy, PhD (Researcher, Children Data's Network) Panelists: Davida Schiff, MD, MsC (Director of Perinatal and Family-Based SUD Care, Massachusetts General Hospital) Liz Quinn, MD (Director of Addiction Services, Lynn Community Health Center) Mae Fuller (Apprentice OB Nurse, Doula Service Navigator, Moms Do Care EMPOWER)

Use this time to connect with others!

Performed by: Elizabeth Addison (Composer, Creative Consultant, Storyteller, This is Treatment LLC) Annaliese Fagan Aginah Monique Description: At this year's "Together For Hope" conference, you will be brought into 30 minutes of Addison's inspiring musical, "This is Treatment." As a full length show, it is an immersive theatrical experience that brings the audience into treatment, which in Addison's world, is a sacred space. The musical is inspired by Addison’s time at a residential treatment facility and aims to entertain, bring joy and laughter, build bridges, heal communities, and helps us understand that sometimes to go forward, we must go back."

Led By: Julie Burns ( President and CEO, RIZE Massachusetts Foundation. Boston, MA.) Megan MacDavey (Program Officer, Peter and Elizabeth Tower Foundation. Getzville, NY) Amie Shei, PhD (President and CEO, The Health Foundation of Central Massachusetts. Worcester, MA. ) Annemarie Pagliano (Associate Program Officer, RIZE Massachusetts Foundation) Summary: Applying for grants can be challenging, and many applicants find the process difficult. This presentation will demystify the grant application process and make it more accessible. We will break down the essential principles and practices of grantmaking to empower participants. Through a combination of theoretical insights and practical examples, we will cover all aspects of the grantmaking journey, including identifying suitable funding sources, crafting compelling proposals, navigating the review process, and building lasting relationships with funders. Attendees will leave with actionable strategies and insights designed to enhance their grant writing skills and improve their chances of success.

Led by: Laura Sternberger, LICSW (Director, Pregnant and Postpartum Women’s Programs, Director, Massachusetts Moms Do Care Program Institute for Health and Recovery. Boston, MA. ) Telyia Prescott, BA (Communications and Provider Support Coordinator, Institute for Health and Recovery. Watertown, MA.) Josefa Scherer, MPH (Program Director, EMPOWER Moms Do Care, Baystate Franklin Medical Center) Davida Schiff, MD (Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, HOPE Clinical, MOMs Do Care, MGH) Lauren Sousa, RN (Southcoast Health Health Postpartum Care Coordinator, New Beginnings, Moms Do Care Southeast) Sarah Courtney (State Opioid Response Grant Program Coordinator, Bureau of Substance Addiction Services) Summary: The Massachusetts Moms Do Care (MDC) Program serves pregnant, postpartum, and parenting people by providing multidisciplinary, integrated, wraparound healthcare services focused on recovery and the well-being of families. The cornerstone of MDC is the role of our peer professionals. These are fellow parents in recovery who not only walk alongside participants from their place of lived experience, providing support in ways only a peer can, but can also act as pivotal system change leaders when combating stigma and developing policy. The MDC Program is highly adapted to each individual community’s needs and each site is a different composite of several elements, such as mental and behavioral healthcare, nursing and medical care, care navigation and case management, addictions medicine, and social work. This workshop will look at how the unique elements of peer-centered, wrap-around programs like MDC are seeded, evolved, and sustained.

Led by: Abita Raj, MD ( Assistant Professor of Psychiatry & Pediatrics, Medical Director, Community Healthlink, Child and Adolescent Division, Director, UMASS Chan Medical School Student Counseling Services , UMass Memorial Medical Center/ UMass Chan Medical School. Worcester, MA) Jessica Calihan, MD, MS (General Academics Pediatric Fellow, Boston Medical Center) Juliana Scherer, MPH, LICSW (Clinical Social Worker, CATALYST Clinic, Boston Medical Center) Ashley Dortch, LICSW (Clinical Social Worker, CATALYST Clinic, Boston Medical Center) Miriam King (Recovery Coach/Certified Peer Specialist, Community Healthlink) Summary: In this workshop we will utilize lived experience narratives, didactics, and small group discussion to review the impact of intergenerational substance use (SU) on families and discuss opportunities to incorporate family members and loved ones into SU treatment to improve outcomes. Specifically, we will have family members share their lived experience, highlight evidence-based family-focused SU treatment models, review potential logistical barriers to engaging family members and ways to address them, and discuss opportunities to involve family members and loved ones to address SU treatment gaps and improve treatment engagement. Throughout the workshop, we will use breakout groups to discuss cases that highlight how providers may address stigma to improve loved ones’ engagement and access to care.

Led by: Randi Schuster, PhD (Associate Professor, Harvard Medical School, Director of School-Based Research and Program Development, Center for Addiction Medicine, Director of Neuropsychology, Center for Addiction Medicine. Boston, MA. ) Mairead Day-Lopes, MSN, RN, NCSN (Director of School-Based Health Center Program, Massachusetts Department of Public Health) Rebecca Butler, MSc, MSW, LCSW (Associate Director School-Based Research and Program Development, Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Center for Addiction Medicine) Stacey Lynch, MSW, LICSW (Director, Office of Youth and Young Adult Services, Bureau of Substance Addiction Services, Massachusetts Department of Public Health) Summary: Substance use affects not only individuals actively using but also the young people and families in their environment. As providers, our focus often centers on the individual using substances, but expanding this lens to include young people in these environments is essential. Adolescence is a pivotal time for prevention and intervention, as we know most of the adults we serve began their own substance use during this stage. By equipping providers with tools to address the ripple effects of substance use, we can help break cycles of generational substance use, strengthen family systems, and build resilient pediatric support networks. This session offers a hopeful and practical approach, demonstrating that supporting young people in these environments is achievable and transformative. This session is designed for adult providers ready to take a more holistic approach to substance use care. Participants will gain actionable strategies to support young people and families, strengthen family systems, and create prevention-focused, community-based solutions — laying the groundwork for healthier futures and more connected support networks.

Led by: Christopher Shanahan, MD, MPH, FACP (Medical Director, Massachusetts Consultation Service for Treatment of Addiction and Pain) Jonna C. Hopwood, JD, LICSW (Vice President for Addiction Treatment Services, Association for Behavioral Healthcare) Summary: Discuss critical issues related to supporting and enhancing the capacity of the Massachusetts clinician workforce caring for patients with addiction and chronic pain. The session will provide an open forum for invited influential leaders and stakeholders, including clinicians, their supporting professional/practice organizations, and local communities. Topics to be discussed will include: · Factors in the Massachusetts healthcare practice environment that support optimal clinical practice behaviors and the barriers/reasons preventing the adoption of these strategies. · How and when to perform safe evidence-based tapering off of opioids for stable patients. · Enhancing comfort and competency in prescribing opioids as treatment for pain or SUD. · Use of evidence-based subspecialty recommendations to treat pain with opioids. · The role of state agencies and professional organizations in addressing the failure of some clinicians to prescribe opioids for pain or addiction, or unsafe prescribing. · How to best support clinicians whose practices have become overwhelmed with complex patients or treatment with opioids and other controlled substances for various SUD or Chronic Pain conditions. · Ensuring that patients on long-term opioids get appropriate ongoing care and are supported in finding new medical homes when prescribers retire or leave their practice · Personal, professional, and practice barriers to providing evidence-based/guideline-concordant care · Establishing and promulgating professional, ethical standards for the care of Chronic Pain and SUD by Primary Care Clinicians in the community setting

Moderator: Alicia Ventura, MPH (Director of Special Projects and Research, Grayken Center for Addiction Training and Technical Assistance, Boston Medical Center) Panelists: Magda Colon (Regional Manager, Learn to Cope) Cheryl Juaire (Founder, Team Sharing) Marie Kiely (Retired, New Hampshire Division of Public Health Services) Summary: When a family-member is struggling with substances—whether opioids, alcohol, cocaine, or something else-- it has an impact on everyone. If you have a family member in this situation, or you provide treatment to individuals or families affected by addiction, this workshop is for you. Panelists will discuss some Massachusetts resources for family members, including support for those who have lost a loved one to addiction. They will also describe ways to channel feelings of helplessness and loss in productive directions, as they discuss examples of powerful advocacy projects of their own.

Led by: Cedric Woods, PhD (Director, Institute for New England Native American Studies at UMass Boston) Teri Arnowitz, PhD, APRN, FNP-BC, FAAN (Associate Dean of Research and Innovation, Tan Chingfen Graduate School of Nursing. Professor, Department of Population and Quantitative Health Science, UMass Chan Medical School. Worcester) Chyla Bingham-Hendricks, BSN, PhD Student (UMass Chan Medical School, Worcester) Autaquay Peters-Mosquera, BSN, MBA, PhD Student (UMass Chan Medical School, Worcester) Summary: This session will provide a demographic analysis of the Native population in Massachusetts, and offer a brief background linking the intersectionality of historical trauma to substance misuse. The presenters will then lead participants in an interactive learning experience, actively analyzing and discussing a real-life case study.

Speaker: Ruth Potee, MD (Medical Director, Behavioral Health Network, Springfield. )

Moderator: Miriam Komaromy, MD, FACP, DFASAM (Executive Director, Grayken Center for Addiction, Boston Medical Center; Professor of Medicine, Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston University) Panelists: Safdar Medina, MD, FAAP (Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, University of Massachusetts Medical School. Pediatric Director, Tri River Health Center. Uxbridge, MA.) Randi Schuster, PhD (Associate Professor, Harvard Medical School, Director of School-Based Research and Program Development, Center for Addiction Medicine, Director of Neuropsychology, Center for Addiction Medicine. Boston, MA. ) Brittany Carney, DNP, FNP-BC (Assistant Professor of Medicine, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Clinical Nurse Educator, Boston Medical Center Grayken Center for Addiction Training & Technical Assistance)

Use this time to connect with others.

Led by: Emery Marcus, MSN, FNP-C, PMHNP-BC, CARN-AP (Stanley Street Treatment and Resources. Fall River, MA) Jessica Kemp, RN, CARN (OBAT Program Manager, Brien Center for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services. Pittsfield, MA) Summary: This workshop will provide healthcare providers with information on extended-release injectable buprenorphine formulations for the treatment of opioid use disorder. Participants will learn how to implement its use in clinical practice, focusing on pharmacology, patient selection, treatment planning, and clinical decision making through an interactive didactic presentation and utilizing deidentified case studies.

Led by: Jen Miller, M.A. (Director of Grants and Innovation, Bureau of Substance Addiction Services, Massachusetts Department of Public Health) Angelica Gates, M.A., LADCI (Licensing Inspector, Bureau of Substance Addiction Services, Massachusetts Department of Public Health) Keisha Williams, RN (Responsible Health Authority, Director of Nursing, Hampden County Sheriff’s Office) Danielle Mimitz (Clinical Manager II/ OTP Program Sponsor, Hampden County Sheriff’s Office) Ruth Potee, MD (Medical Director, Behavioral Health Network) Jay Faro (Essex County Sheriff’s Office) Ed Hayes (Franklin County Sheriff’s Office) Brooke Pessinis (Essex County Sheriff’s Office) Summary: This workshop will provide an overview of the progress made on implementation of medication treatment for opioid use disorder (MOUD) in Massachusetts settings of incarceration (both Sheriff's Offices/Departments and State Prisons), from the time that the Massachusetts CARE Act was passed in 2018 to the present. Panelists will highlight best practice models including medication induction, maintenance, and linkage for ongoing care. They will also discuss successes and challenges in individual programs. Then, the moderator will engage the audience and panel in discussion.

Led by: Todd Kerensky, MD (Medical Director, Addiction Medicine, South Shore Health. South Weymouth, MA.) Alyssa Peterkin, MD (Program Director, Grayken Addiction Medicine Fellowship, Assistant Professor, Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston University) Summary: In this workshop, you will appraise patient and psychosocial domains to help you identify appropriate patients for alcohol withdrawal treatment in the outpatient setting. You will also learn to assess provider, practice and systems attributes that may influence the safety and efficacy of managing alcohol withdrawal in the office setting. Description: Attendees will be engaged in a dynamic workshop including a combination of didactic and small-group case-based discussion. The introductory didactic portion will review alcohol withdrawal symptoms, highlight tools to predict risk of complicated alcohol withdrawal and describe management options. Additionally, we will focus on patient, practice and systems domains to consider in identifying appropriate patients for outpatient alcohol withdrawal management and help ensure systems are supportive and complementary to the process. Attendees will then break into small group for a case-based discussion, utilizing the didactic knowledge to support the discussion. Finally, attendees will share perspectives regarding their personal and institutional experiences with outpatient alcohol withdrawal management.

Led by: Casy Calver, PhD (Editorial Director, Grayken Center for Addiction and the Clinical Addiction Research and Education [CARE] Unit, Boston Medical Center) Alexander Walley, MD, MSc (Professor of Medicine, Boston University Chosbanian and Avesdisian School of Medicine, Primary Care Physician and Addiction Specialist, Boston Medical Center) Summary: In this breakout session, we will discuss the process for publishing your addiction science research, including different article types, common article submission pitfalls, tips to increase the chances of a successful submission, and reaching your target audience. There will be a short presentation followed by discussion and Q&A. Come prepared with all the questions you have about academic publishing, but were afraid to ask!

Led by: Robert Sege, MD, PhD (The HOPE National Resource Center, Tufts Medicine. Medford, MA.) Summary: Join us as we review the research behind positive childhood experiences (PCEs) and the role they play in substance use prevention. In this session, we’ll share the four building blocks to healthy outcomes from positive experiences, and discuss how PCEs can offset the long-term health outcomes often associated with adverse childhood experiences. We’ll also offer ways to help create equitable access to PCEs for the children in your community.

Led by: Andrea Macone, MA. (Director, Office of Community Health & Equity, Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Bureau of Substance Addiction Services) Teo Ortega (Founder, Owner, Sagrada Strategies. Boston, MA.) Logan Puleikis (Consultant, Transgender and Gender Expansive Community Advisory Board, Bureau of Substance Addiction Services; Program Coordinator, Stimulant Treatment and Recovery Team. Boston, MA.) MG Xiong (Director of Engagement and Learning, Massachusetts Transgender Political Coalition; Community Advisory Board Member, Bureau of Substance Addiction Services) Summary: This one-hour interactive session will provide an introductory overview of transgender and gender expansive (TGE) identities, along with recommendations for providers in residential treatment settings to ensure gender-affirming care. Facilitated by TGE individuals with lived experience in substance use services, the workshop will invite participants to learn and apply best practices to scenarios involving TGE clients. Attendees will gain a deeper understanding of how gender identity and substance use intersect, and how purposeful action can create a welcoming and affirming environment.

Led by: Devin Cromartie, MD, MPH (Assistant Professor, Boston University. Psychiatrist, Boston Medical Center. Boston, MA. ) Joryan Franklin, MPH (Research Area Specialist, University of Michigan) Zian Perez (Masters of Arts Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program William James College) Reanna Less ( National Society of Black Women in Medicine, Boston University) Summary: This workshop explores the role of spirituality in substance use and mental health recovery, particularly within Black communities. We will examine faith as both a protective and risk factor in recovery, drawing from literature, personal narratives, and community insights. Discussions will highlight the impact of race-based stress and trauma on substance use, while emphasizing culturally relevant, faith-centered coping strategies. Attendees will engage with church community assessment findings, explore the intersection of theological teachings and mental health, and learn how community partnerships can foster healing and resilience. Through live audience polling and open conversations, participants will collectively identify ways to strengthen faith-based support for faith-identifying people in recovery.