The opioid epidemic in Washoe County has reached critical levels, exacerbated by the availability of potent substances such as fentanyl. The dangers of inappropriate opioid prescribing, coupled with stringent state-controlled substance laws, have created an environment where many individuals battling addiction are unable to access the care they need. CHA's MAT program is a direct response to this urgent community need.
The program was developed following an extensive needs assessment, which analyzed opioid use data in Washoe County, gathered insights from experts, and synthesized best practices for effective MAT implementation. The primary goal is to provide those struggling with OUD with wraparound services and support necessary for recovery.
"At Community Health Alliance, we recognize the profound impact the opioid crisis has on our community," said Community Health Alliance's Chief Medical Officer Dr. Travis Walker, MD, MPH, FAAFP. "The launch of our Medication-Assisted Treatment program represents a critical step forward in providing the compassionate, evidence-based care that individuals battling opioid use disorder desperately need. We are committed to expanding access to these life-saving treatments and supporting our patients on their journey to recovery."
With the $300,000 funding and support from United Healthcare Health Plan of Nevada, CHA has assembled a multidisciplinary team that includes clinical pharmacists, behavioral health specialists, and medical providers. This collaboration has led to the hiring of key personnel, including Director of Behavioral Health Dr. Stephanie Wolfe Gstettenbauer, PsyD, MA and Psychiatric and Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Dr. Suzann Gordon, DNP, APRN, PMHNP-BC who has extensive experience in MAT and substance use disorder.
CHA's Clinical Pharmacy team of experts, including Director of Clinical Pharmacy Netochi Adeolokun, PharmD, BCACP, BC-ADM and Clinical Pharmacist Heidi Durant, PharmD, BCGP, has played a vital role in the program's success, leading efforts to see patients diagnosed with OUD, collaborating with medical providers, and advocating for legislative changes related to clinical pharmacist Drug Enforcement Administration licenses. The team has also partnered with local organizations, such as the Northern Nevada Harm Reduction Alliance, to share resources and procure life-saving naloxone, which is distributed free of charge to prevent opioid overdoses.
Additionally, CHA's medical providers have undergone additional buprenorphine training through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and have integrated opioid-use treatment into their practices following a needs assessment conducted in conjunction with the University of Nevada Reno's School of Public Health.
CHA's MAT program represents a vital step in combating the opioid crisis in Washoe County. CHA is committed to providing the necessary resources, support, and treatment options to help individuals reclaim their lives from addiction.
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About Community Health Alliance:
Community Health Alliance is a non-profit, federally qualified health center formed in July 2012 and is the largest provider of primary medical and dental services to Medicaid patients in Northern Nevada, serving over 30,000 patients annually. They also provide behavioral health, low-cost pharmacies, even prescription food pantries to all patients. Community Health Alliance operates six primary care locations in Reno and Sparks, as well as mobile medical and dental programs. In addition, they are the largest Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) provider in Northern Nevada. For more information, visit https://www.chanevada.org/.