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December 17, 2020 (Cleveland, OH)

Opioid Consortium Featured in Public Health Institute’s National Opioid Leadership Summit

On Dec. 8 and 9 the Public Health Institute, along with host partner University Hospitals, held the National Opioid Leadership Summit, a two-day virtual event designed to support learning and collaboration on solutions to the opioid crisis that bridge the criminal justice, healthcare, and public health sectors. The summit showcased the Northeast Ohio Hospital Opioid Consortium with a panel comprised of Drs. Tom Collins, Jeanne Lackamp, Joan Papp, Ted Parran, Kevin Smith and David Streem, who participated in a discussion moderated by Dr. Randy Jernejcic regarding the regional, multi-sector approach to solutions. The opioid leadership summit also featured a discussion on stigma by a panel that included Camille Zalar, The Center’s director of education and initiatives for the Opioid Consortium.

The fourth quarter of 2020 has been an eventful one for the Opioid Consortium. Following are updates on a number of other developments, including the welcoming of a new team member, a generous supply donation and the launch of the second edition of the nurse education curriculum.

Welcome Alexandria Goff

The Center for Health Affairs welcomed Alexandria Goff on Nov. 2 as program coordinator in support of the Opioid Consortium initiative. Goff holds master’s degrees in public health and biomedical sciences and previously worked as a research assistant with the Free2BMom program at Geisinger, which supports women who are in addiction recovery during their pregnancy and for two years after childbirth. Prior to that she worked as a program coordinator at Northeast Ohio Medical University (NEOMED) and University Hospitals where she supported the AmeriCorps program.

Buckeye Health Donation

This fall, the Opioid Consortium was approached by Centene and its subsidiary Buckeye Health Plan, with an offer to donate supplies to Opioid Consortium member organizations. Through this generous offer, before year end MetroHealth and Cleveland Clinic each will receive a donation of fentanyl test strips, while St. Vincent Charity Medical Center and University Hospitals will receive safe drug disposal bags.

WKYC Interview

This fall, Camille Zalar was featured in an interview with WKYC Channel 3 where she highlighted the work of the Opioid Consortium, addressed the issue of stigma, and provided resources for individuals who are seeking help with substance use disorders.

Nurse Education 2^nd Edition

The four-module nurse education course offered through the portal developed and maintained by The Center has been updated the second edition launched on Oct. 23. More than 3,000 nurses registered and more than 5,400 continuing education units were delivered through the first edition of the course. Second edition updates include enhancements to the course format and content. The tool is moving to a fee-for-service model in 2021.

AMCNO Feature Story

The Academy of Medicine of Cleveland & Northern Ohio included a feature on the Opioid Consortium in the fall edition of its Northern Ohio Physician newsletter. The article highlighted Admiral Brett Giroir’s remarks delivered to the Opioid Consortium’s August membership meeting as well as an update on the Consortium’s education initiative.

OUD and COVID-19

On Dec. 2, The Center hosted An Epidemic within a Pandemic: Opioid Use Disorder and COVID-19, a virtual event featuring a panel discussion among local experts Aaron Marks, Brian Bailys, Daniel Lettenberger-Klein, Dr. Joan Papp, and Dr. David Streem, on the worsening of the opioid crisis during the COVID-19 pandemic.

For more information on the Northeast Ohio Hospital Opioid Consortium, contact us.