CHIME Opioid Action Center Podcast

CHIME Opioid Action Center
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The opioid epidemic continues to devastate communities and families throughout the nation and is a tremendous strain on the U.S. healthcare system. The CHIME Opioid Task Force works to leverage members’ unique insights and provide education and resources to address the ongoing crisis in the larger healthcare ecosystem. This podcast shares the stories of those heroes in healthcare who are working to build awareness and fight the battle against the opioid epidemic. Learn more about the work of the task force by visiting https://opioidactioncenter.com/.

  1. 10/07/2025

    How Mass General Brigham is Using IT to Address Substance Use Disorders at a Systems Level

    In this episode, Moderator Dr. Scott Weiner learns how Dr. Sarah E. Wakeman’s innovative role unites diverse stakeholders to change both culture and practice in SUD care. We explore best practices for medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD), the development of unified IT tools, and the fine balance between clinical support and alert fatigue. Dr. Wakeman highlights the importance of data and quality dashboards, plus how Medicaid and state funding are leveraged to sustain impactful initiatives. The episode offers practical inspiration, showing how collaboration and the right incentives can drive value—and save lives.    What You'll Learn  Strategies for building system-wide, holistic SUD initiatives.  How to engage stakeholders across health systems, from clinicians to IT to state agencies.  Best practices for developing and updating MOUD order sets.  Approaches to increasing provider comfort with life-saving opioid treatments.  The balance of clinical decision support and alert fatigue.  The role of data dashboards in tracking SUD outcomes and quality measures.  How to leverage Medicaid and state funds to support and expand treatment resources.  Insights into risk contracts, funding streams, and statewide efforts to prevent overdose deaths.  Why this challenging work is both challenging and rewarding!    MODERATOR: Scott Weiner, MD, MPH, FAAEM, FACEP, FASAM  Emergency and Addiction Medicine Physician, Brigham and Women’s Hospital  Associate Professor, Harvard Medical School    Dr. Weiner is the McGraw Distinguished Chair in the Department of Emergency Medicine at Brigham and Women's Hospital and an Associate Professor of Emergency Medicine at Harvard Medical School. He is board-certified in emergency medicine and addiction medicine. He is an active researcher, working on multiple projects that focus on prevention and treatment of opioid use disorder.    GUEST: Sarah Elizabeth Wakeman, MD  Medical Director for Substance Use Disorder at Mass General Brigham  Medical Director for the Mass General Hospital Substance Use Disorder Initiative  Program director of the Mass General Addiction Medicine fellowship  Associate Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School    Sarah E. Wakeman, MD is the Senior Medical Director for Substance Use Disorder at Mass General Brigham in the Office of the Chief Medical Officer, Medical Director for the Mass General Hospital Program for Substance Use & Addiction Services, Program Director of the Mass General Addiction Medicine fellowship, and an Associate Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School.  She received her A.B. from Brown University and her M.D. from Brown Medical School. She completed residency training in internal medicine and served as Chief Medical Resident at Mass General Hospital. She is a diplomate and fellow of the American Board of Addiction Medicine and board certified in Addiction Medicine by the American Board of Preventive Medicine.  Clinically she provides specialty addiction and general medical care in the inpatient and outpatient setting at Mass General Hospital and the Mass General Charlestown Health Center. Her research interests include integrated substance use disorder treatment in general medical settings, low threshold treatment models, and opioid use disorder treatment.

    31 min

  2. 08/27/2025

    Beyond the Clinic: How Portable Tech is Expanding Methadone Access

    In this episode of the CHIME Opioid Action Center podcast, moderator Ed Kopetsky sits down with Dr. Tom Mercolino and Jim McLean from Verinetics to discuss their DispenSecur™ portable methadone dispensing system. Designed to meet patients wherever they are, this “clinic in a box” empowers individuals with Opioid Use Disorder to access treatment securely and privately, outside traditional clinic walls. Learn how this innovative technology is breaking down barriers, supporting providers, and paving the way for more holistic and accessible addiction care. What You’ll Learn: How portable medication dispensing systems like DispenSecur™ are expanding access to methadone treatment for Opioid Use Disorder. The technology and security features behind the “clinic in a box” solution that balances patient privacy with provider confidence. The impact of stigma on OUD treatment and how holistic, tech-driven approaches can improve patient outcomes. Challenges and successes in piloting new treatment technologies, and how patient feedback is shaping commercial adoption. Opportunities and barriers to integrating portable medication technology with broader healthcare IT and clinical workflows. Lessons learned from real-world implementation—and ideas for expanding this model to other medications and patient populations. MODERATOR: Ed Kopetsky, Founder and Co-Chair, CHIME Opioid Task Force Ed Kopetsky, former Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer of Stanford Children’s Health, is an accomplished healthcare executive with expertise in integrated healthcare systems, information technology, operations and cost improvement, digital transformation and consulting. Following a family tragedy, in 2018 Ed co-founded and has co-chaired the CHIME Opioid Task Force helping healthcare organizations confront the national opioid crisis. GUEST: Dr. Tom Mercolino, PhD, Founder and Executive Chairman, Verinetics, Inc. With more than 25 years of experience as a senior manager in Fortune 100 R&D groups, Dr. Mercolino has taken technology commercialization expertise to the next level at Verinetics. His passion for supporting individuals with Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) has been a major driver behind the development of DispenSecur™™ and its successful commercialization. GUEST: Jim McLean, MBA, Chief Technology Officer, Verinetics, Inc. Mr. McLean has over 30 years in senior management roles with Fortune 500 and startup organizations, where his particular focus has been the design and successful implementation of creative technology solutions for complex operational challenges. His experience as a team builder in information systems/technology, engineering, sales, and professional services is key to the commercial success of the DispenSecur™™ platform.

    22 min

  3. 08/05/2025

    How Technology Helped Cut Overdose Deaths by 47% in Carteret County NC

    Carteret County, NC, faced a soaring overdose crisis, exacerbated by its status as a seasonal beach destination. In this episode, the Public Health Director for Carteret County, and COO of Goldie Health, share how forming a tech-enabled post-overdose response team slashed overdose deaths by nearly half. Discover the barriers Carteret overcame, the critical role lived-experience peer support specialists played, and how the county leveraged tech to streamline care coordination and analytics. Tune in for an in-depth look at a community-led innovation making a measurable impact against the opioid epidemic. What You’ll Learn: How the Carteret County post-overdose response team (PORT) is organized and operatesThe role of certified peer support specialists with lived experienceHow real-time alerts and referrals connect overdose survivors with support quicklyThe drastic improvements in overdose outcomes, including a 47% drop in deaths and 87% drop in EMS callsWays technology—specifically, the Goldie tech platform—streamlines response, tracks engagement, and supports data-driven decisionsHow Goldie enables referrals for addiction treatment, housing, food, and other critical resourcesLessons learned in implementing care management technology at the local level MODERATOR: Tom Liddell, CEO, Harmony Health IT Tom Liddell leads with a core belief: that data and automation, when harnessed with purpose, can revolutionize healthcare and profoundly improve the lives of those it serves. With over 35 years of experience in healthcare IT, he brings transformative leadership and a passion for innovation to Harmony Healthcare IT. He began his career as President and Co-Founder of SMI, a healthcare technology firm that became part of the publicly traded Medical Manager Corp. He later held senior executive roles at WebMD, where he led the development and launch of integrated financial systems and electronic health records. Tom has also led the successful operation of a health information exchange and served as Chief Information Officer for a regional reference laboratory, blood bank, and pathology organization In these roles, he pioneered innovative solutions for data integration, interoperability, and clinical efficiency—further deepening his expertise in healthcare infrastructure and automation. At Harmony Healthcare IT, Tom is known for championing innovation, collaboration, and a customer-first mindset. His enduring passion for a complete, quality-driven experience continues to shape the company’s reputation as a trusted leader in healthcare data management. GUEST: Matthew E. Hanis, COO & Cofounder, Goldie Health Matt Hanis is a leading expert in the business of healthcare. He is the chief operating officer of Goldie Health, a life-saving overdose detection and case management platform. A former health system executive, he has grown health tech businesses across payer, provider, life sciences, and government. His passion is growing organizations proven to elevate healthcare mission and margin. GUEST: Nina M. Oliver, Public Health Director; Carteret County Health Department Nina Oliver has enjoyed 22 years of providing public health work. She currently serves as the Consolidated Health and Human Services Deputy Director and Public Health Director for Carteret County. As a public health director her priorities and interests include substance use prevention, mental and emotional health and wellness for all, minority health, and creating equitable dental care specifically in low-income populations and pregnant women. Nina graduated from Guildford College in Greensboro with a Bachelors in Psychology and African American Studies. She received her Masters from UNC Charlotte in Health Promotion with a focus in Substance Use Prevention. Nina lives in Morehead City with her 13-year-old son Chase and 5-year-old daughter, Charlie. They love going to the beach, watching sports, and trying new foods.

    26 min

  4. 04/03/2025

    Power of Quality Measures to Improve OUD Care in Emergency Departments

    In this episode, join moderator Brea Burmeister and experts Dr. Scott Weiner and Dr. Arjun Venkatesh as they explore how quality measures can transform opioid use disorder (OUD) care in emergency departments. Discover innovative metrics, quality improvement initiatives, and EHR data integration to optimize patient outcomes. Learn about overcoming barriers like stigma and resource shortages and get key recommendations from recent OUD treatment studies. Perfect for healthcare professionals and anyone interested in advancing OUD care. What You'll Learn: Challenges and opportunities of addressing the opioid epidemic in emergency medicineACEP’s work on metrics and the development of quality improvement measuresKey quality initiatives to enhance OUD care and reduce harmThe barriers to adopting these initiatives and strategies to overcome themRecommendations based on recent studies in OUD treatment and medication MODERATOR: Brea Burmeister Member, CHIME Opioid Task Force Bio: With 23 years in healthcare, Brea specializes in managing relationships within Integrated Delivery Network (IDN) Health Systems, regional Group Practices, and Specialty Pharmacy accounts. She strengthens value-based care models by developing strategic plans, analyzing performance data, improving care coordination, and implementing process improvements. Brea's work enhances patient outcomes and experiences while reducing costs. Additionally, her volunteer work with the Opioid Task Force reflects her commitment to public health advocacy and community well-being. GUEST: Scott Weiner, MD, MPH, FAAEM, FACEP, FASAM Emergency and Addiction Medicine Physician, Brigham and Women’s Hospital Associate Professor, Harvard Medical School Co-chair, Clinical Advisory subcommittee, CHIME Opioid Task Force Bio: Dr. Weiner is the McGraw Distinguished Chair in the Department of Emergency Medicine at Brigham and Women's Hospital and an Associate Professor of Emergency Medicine at Harvard Medical School. He is board-certified in emergency medicine and addiction medicine. He is an active researcher, working on multiple projects that focus on prevention and treatment of opioid use disorder. GUEST: Arjun Venkatesh, MD, MBA, MHS Chair, Department of Emergency Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine Chief, Emergency Medicine, Yale New Haven Hospital Bio: Dr. Venkatesh is Chair and Chief of Emergency Medicine at the Yale University School of Medicine and Yale New Haven Hospital. He has received over $ 12 million in funding by the NIH, CMS, AHRQ, and CDC to develop measures and interventions that improve acute care outcomes and value. He has supported CMS’s development of the Overall Hospital Quality Star Ratings, has led the development of quality measures for the Clinical Emergency Data Registry, and is PI of the Emergency Quality Network (E-QUAL). His work has produced over 200 publications and been implemented in numerous national quality and value programs. He is a graduate of Northwestern University School of Medicine, a proud graduate of the HAEMR Class of 2012 often referred to as the Greatest Class Ever, and completed the RWJF Clinical Scholars Program at Yale. Additional Resources: ACEP E-QUAL opioid initiative Cedr

    34 min

  5. 04/01/2025

    Meaningful Measures for the U.S. Substance Use Crisis: Assessments, Data Standards, and KPIs

    In this episode, Dr. David L. Pennington, Ph.D. and Dr. David R. Gastfriend, M.D., DFASAM dive into the U.S. substance use crisis, focusing on assessments, data standards, and key performance indicators. Learn how the ASAM Criteria and ASAM CONTINUUM are transforming addiction treatment through multidimensional assessments and technology integration. Discover the evolving trends in substance use, barriers to treatment, and the role of digital health tools in bridging care gaps. Hear success stories and challenges in implementing these systems and explore future opportunities for digital solutions in mental health care. Join us to uncover meaningful measures that enhance treatment outcomes and patient well-being. What You'll Learn The significance of the ASAM Criteria for addiction treatment.How substance use trends have evolved and current statistics.Barriers to SUD treatment and how technology aims to overcome them.Strategies for implementing and promoting ASAM CONTINUUM.Success stories and challenges in integrating these systems.Future opportunities for digital health solutions in addiction treatment. MODERATOR: Dr. David L. Pennington, Ph.D. CEO & Clinical Psychologist, Melantha Health Psychology Consulting, PC. Bio: Dr. David L. Pennington, Ph.D., is a licensed clinical psychologist, practicing clinician, and CEO of Melantha Health Psychology Consulting, a firm dedicated to advancing mental health innovation. With extensive experience in both clinical practice and research, he specializes in developing digital health interventions for opioid use disorder and other substance use challenges. His work integrates cognitive neuroscience, evidence-based psychotherapy, and digital technology to create practical solutions that enhance treatment outcomes and patient well-being. As a trusted science advisor and educator, Dr. Pennington is committed to bridging the gap between academic research and real-world application, and he brings his hands-on clinical experience to the Chime opioid network podcast to illuminate emerging trends in addiction treatment and mental health care. GUEST: David R. Gastfriend, M.D., DFASAM Co-Founder & Chief Medical Officer, DynamiCare Health Bio: Dr. Gastfriend is an addiction psychiatrist. At Harvard Medical School, he directed addiction research at Massachusetts General Hospital and was an investigator in the NIDA Cocaine Collaborative Study, NIAAA’s COMBINE Study and NIDA’s Clinical Trials Network. As Vice President at Alkermes, Inc., he directed scientific publications on Vivitrol in clinical, criminal justice and health economics research. His research led most states to endorse the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) Criteria. His 150 scientific publications include the books The ASAM Criteria and Addiction Treatment Matching. His ASAM CONTINUUM – The ASAM Criteria Decision Engine® and ASAM’s CO-Triage® tools are being adopted nationwide. In 2016, he co-founded DynamiCare Health, a nationally-scalable technology for Contingency Management and predictive analytics, winning awards from Harvard Business School, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, the Governor of Ohio, and the New York Times. He has consulted to governments in Belgium, China, Iceland, Israel, Norway, Russia and the U.S.

    27 min

  6. 03/28/2025

    Interoperability and HIE Series: New Jersey Innovation Institute

    Explore advancements in interoperability and Health Information Exchange (HIE), addressing issues like the opioid crisis. Learn about EHR adoption strategies, NJII's role, and future trends in healthcare data sharing. What You'll Learn: How seamless data sharing between healthcare providers is achievedChallenges and solutions in EHR interoperabilitySupport for public health through real-time data trackingImpact of patient-centered data access on treatment and engagementEmerging technologies in healthcare data interoperability MODERATOR: Bill Cioffi Client Partnership Executive, Nordic Healthcare Bio: Bill Cioffi is a seasoned healthcare IT executive and Client Partnership Executive at Nordic Healthcare, focusing on client relationships and strategic growth. With over 15 years in healthcare IT leadership and 25+ years in IT infrastructure, he has led digital transformations. As former CIO at CenCal Health, he oversaw IT strategy for Medi-Cal services, led their first 3-Year IT Strategic Plan, and established an ITSM Service Desk. Previously, as CIO at North Sonoma County Healthcare District, he implemented their EHR system and maintained operations during the 2017 Santa Rosa Tubbs fires. Bill is Co-chair of the CHIME OTF Technology and Interoperability Subcommittee and a community volunteer with Food Share. He holds a Master of Public Policy and Administration from California Lutheran University. GUEST: Jennifer D’Angelo Chief Operating Officer & Executive Vice President of Healthcare, New Jersey Innovation Institute (NJII) Bio: Jennifer D’Angelo is a seasoned leader in healthcare technology and management with over 20 years of experience. As the Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice President of Healthcare at the New Jersey Innovation Institute (NJII), she plays a crucial role in driving the organization's mission through innovative and data-driven strategies. Jennifer oversees divisions focused on AI/ML, Defense, Entrepreneurship, Healthcare, and Learning & Development, which accelerate technology, foster innovation, and drive workforce development. Her leadership leverages the vast resources of an R-1 university and builds industry-centric ecosystems to positively impact New Jersey's economy. As the EVP of the Healthcare division, Jennifer oversees federal and state grant-funded programs and manages the New Jersey Health Information Network (NJHIN), facilitating statewide patient data exchange to reduce healthcare costs and improve population health. GUEST: Dustin Hufford Senior Vice President & Chief Information Officer, Cooper University Health Care Bio: Mr. Hufford, with 15 years in healthcare IT, has held leadership roles including VP at Cooper Applications and CIO at Memorial Health Care. He has extensive experience in IT management, EHR implementation, and consulting. At Promedica Health, he was Assistant VP of Revenue Cycle and Business Systems, overseeing the implementation of their EHR system. He's led major IT initiatives like telemedicine and cloud migrations. Currently, he is driving digital transformation and leading the Cooper Innovation Center. Mr. Hufford holds a degree in Information Sciences and is pursuing an Executive MBA from Drexel University.

    29 min

  7. 03/27/2025

    Developing a MAT Order Set for a Multidisciplinary Care Team at UC San Diego Health

    Join us in this episode as we explore the groundbreaking Medication for Addiction Treatment (MAT) Order Set at UC San Diego Health. This innovative system helped them earn CHIME's top "Digital Health Most Wired" Level 10 status in 2024. What You'll Learn:  The motivation behind the creation of UC San Diego's MAT Order Set.  How interdisciplinary collaboration led to a comprehensive care model.  Implementation details and integration of additional screenings.  Data demonstrating reduced hospital readmissions and increased buprenorphine usage.  Challenges and lessons learned during the implementation process.  Educational impacts on medical resident training and future directions.  MODERATOR: Gregory R. Polston, MD  Clinical informaticist, Associate Medical Director, Center for Pain Medicine, UC San Diego Health Section Chief of the pain service, VA Medical Center La Jolla Bio: Dr. Polston is a board-certified anesthesiologist with expertise in pain medicine and clinical informatics at UC San Diego Health. He serves as Associate Medical Director at the Center for Pain Medicine and Section Chief of the pain service at the VA Medical Center La Jolla. Dr. Polston specializes in opioids and risk monitoring for acute and chronic pain, promoting a comprehensive approach to pain management that involves patient engagement and diverse therapeutic methods. His research focuses on chronic opioid therapy, placebos, and electronic medical records. GUEST: Laura Bamford, MD, MSCE  Clinical Professor of Medicine Division of Infectious Diseases and Global Public Health Clinical Professor of Medicine Medical Director Owen Clinic Co-Director Clinical Investigations Core San Diego Center for AIDS Research Division of Infectious Diseases and Global Public Health University of California, San Diego  Bio: Laura completed her Internal Medicine residency at Columbia University Medical Center and Infectious Diseases fellowship at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania where she also received a Master of Science in Clinical Epidemiology. She's a Clinical Professor of Medicine in the Division of Infectious Diseases and Global Public Health and Medical Director of the HIV Medicine Owen Clinic. Her clinical and research interests include HIV and HCV treatment and prevention in people who use drugs. She's passionate about delivering patient-centered care and research with a low barrier and harm reduction approach. With funding from the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program Part F Special Projects of National Significance, she founded a HIV primary care clinic in 2013 within Philadelphia’s syringe service program. She was selected as a member of the Mayor’s Task Force to Combat the Opioid Epidemic in Philadelphia in 2017 and testified in federal court in 2019 as a fact witness on behalf of Safehouse, Philadelphia’s proposed opioid overdose prevention site. She currently provides substance use disorder treatment integrated into HIV primary care at Owen Clinic and is a member of the UCSD Addiction Medicine/Pain Medicine Committee and the UCSD Opioid Use Disorder Task Force. She also serves as the coordinator of the newly mandated substance use disorder rotation at UCSD for all Internal Medicine residents and was recently appointed to the Board of Directors at Stepping Stone San Diego which specializes in substance use treatment in the LGBTQ+ community.  GUEST: Carla Marienfeld, MD, DFAPA, FASAM  Clinical Professor, University of California, San Diego  Bio: Carla Marienfeld, MD, DFAPA, FASAM, Clinical Professor at UC San Diego, Medical Director Substance Treatment and Recovery (STAR) Program, Program Director UC San Diego Addiction Psychiatry Fellowship is board-certified in psychiatry, addiction psychiatry, and addiction medicine. She has authored over four dozen publications and edited four addiction treatment related books.

    31 min

  8. 03/10/2025

    Tech-Driven OUD Screening Protocols and Bridge Clinic at SUNY Upstate University Hospital

    In this podcast episode, Corey Zeigler, CIO of Helio Health, and Dr. Ross W. Sullivan from SUNY Upstate Medical University discuss an innovative program tackling opioid use disorder (OUD). The episode covers the implementation of a universal screening protocol, the success of the two-item conjoint screen (TICS) method, and the impact of the Bridge Clinic initiative. Dr. Sullivan shares insights on overcoming challenges and achieving improved patient outcomes, including reduced emergency department visits. Discover how healthcare IT is playing a crucial role in transforming addiction treatment and addressing the opioid crisis. What You'll Learn: Introduction to SUNY Upstate's Comprehensive Program: Gain insights into a holistic approach combining universal screening protocols and dedicated clinics to address opioid use disorder (OUD).Effective Screening Methods: Understand the implementation and efficacy of the two-item conjoint screen (TICS) method for identifying OUD across diverse healthcare settings like outpatient and emergency departments.Implementation Challenges and Solutions: Learn about the obstacles encountered while rolling out a universal screening protocol in a large healthcare system and strategies for overcoming them.Impactful Results: Discover the tangible outcomes of the program, such as reduced length of inpatient stays and a significant decrease in opioid-related ED visits.Collaborative Care Model: Explore how dedicated OUD teams collaborate with existing patient care teams and social workers to enhance treatment and post-hospitalization care.Sustainability and Future Expansions: Get acquainted with the plans for maintaining and expanding successful initiatives like the Bridge Clinic and TICS screening protocol. MODERATOR: Corey Zeigler CIO, Helio Health  Bio: Corey has been with Helio Health for about 5 years. They are a large substance use and behavioral health organization with 70 different locations throughout Central New York spanning from Albany in the eastern side to Rochester on the western side, down to the Pennsylvania border to the south and almost to Canada in the North. Their services include inpatient, outpatient, residential, affordable housing, homelessness and a lot of the health and human services functions in New York State.    GUEST: Ross W. Sullivan, MD, FASAM  Executive Medical Director, Helio Health Assistant  Assistant Professor, Emergency Medicine, Toxicology, Addiction Medicine, SUNY Upstate Medical University Bio: Dr. Sullivan is the Executive Medical Director at Helio Health in Central New York and a recognized expert in addiction medicine. He completed his medical education, residency in Emergency Medicine, and toxicology fellowship at SUNY Upstate Medical University. Dr. Sullivan also serves as a faculty member in Emergency Medicine and directs the Medical Toxicology fellowship at SUNY Upstate. He has co-authored several publications on overdose and addiction and contributes his expertise to various advisory panels and workgroups, including NY-OASAS and the NY-DOH buprenorphine work group. Additionally, he is the Treasurer and Board Member of the New York Society of Addiction Medicine (NYSAM).

    19 min
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About

The opioid epidemic continues to devastate communities and families throughout the nation and is a tremendous strain on the U.S. healthcare system. The CHIME Opioid Task Force works to leverage members’ unique insights and provide education and resources to address the ongoing crisis in the larger healthcare ecosystem. This podcast shares the stories of those heroes in healthcare who are working to build awareness and fight the battle against the opioid epidemic. Learn more about the work of the task force by visiting https://opioidactioncenter.com/.

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