Someone You Know: Facing the Opioid Crisis Together Independence Blue Cross Foundation

Dr. Jerome Adams is the 20th Surgeon General of the United States and former member of the President’s Coronavirus task force and is presently a Presidential Fellow and the Executive Director of Health Equity Initiatives at Purdue University.
In this episode, we hear Dr. Adam’s speak on the importance of prevention in opioid use while exploring the interplay between substance misuse, mental health, and infectious disease. Dr. Adams also reflects on his panel discussion during the Independence Blue Cross Foundation’s 2018 Someone You Know conference and offers insight into how the COVID-19 pandemic presented new treatment options for those seeking recovery.
At Purdue University, Dr. Adams is working to leverage the 40,000 undergraduate students, thousands of graduate students, faculty, and staff to move the needle on important issues across the state of Indiana. This includes mental health and substance misuse, infectious diseases, and food for health.
Hosted by Heather Major, Executive Director, Independence Blue Cross Foundation.
Recovery is possible, and help is available. Please visit our website for more information, resources, and inspiration: www.ibxfoundation.org/SYK
TM 2023 Someone You Know®. All Rights Reserved.
Disclaimers
This podcast contains opinionated content and may not reflect the opinions of any organizations this podcast is affiliated with.
This podcast discusses opioid use, opioid treatment, and physical and psychological trauma, which may be triggering for some listeners. Listener discretion is advised.
This podcast is solely for informational purposes. Listeners are advised to do their own diligence when it comes to making decisions that may affect their health. Patients in need of medical advice should consult their personal health care provider. The purpose of this podcast is to educate and to inform. It is not a substitute for professional care by a doctor or other qualified medical professional.

Dr. Jeanmarie Perrone is the Director of the Division of Medical Toxicology and Addiction Medicine Initiatives and a Professor of Emergency Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, as well as a successful published research author.
In this episode, we discuss Dr. Perrone’s role as a national leader in efforts to address the opioid epidemic through her thoughts on stigmas in emergency medicine, equitable access to care through spearheading Penn’s CareConnect “warmline,” the stigma around using lifesaving medications to treat substance use disorder, and Dr. Perrone’s hope for the larger impact of her work.  
Hosted by Heather Major, Executive Director, Independence Blue Cross Foundation.
Recovery is possible, and help is available. Please visit our website for more information, resources and inspiration: www.ibxfoundation.org/SYK
TM 2022 Someone You Know®. All Rights Reserved.
Disclaimers
This podcast contains opinionated content and may not reflect the opinions of any organizations this podcast is affiliated with.
This podcast discusses opioid use, opioid treatment, and physical and psychological trauma, which may be triggering for some listeners. Listener discretion is advised.
This podcast is solely for informational purposes. Listeners are advised to do their own diligence when it comes to making decisions that may affect their health. Patients in need of medical advice should consult their personal health care provider. The purpose of this podcast is to educate and to inform. It is not a substitute for professional care by a doctor or other qualified medical professional.

Murphy Jensen is a former professional tennis player who co-founded a digital health management company, WEconnect, to support others in the recovery community.
In this episode, we hear about Murphy’s journey with substance misuse and recovery, while exploring the importance of digital tools when bridging the gap in equitable access to care. Murphy discusses how his own recovery journey has impacted him to help others battling with Substance Use Disorder.
Murphy has a new feature documentary coming out soon called “Born to Serve.” The film explores the cultural impact to the world of tennis of the Jensen brothers during the 1990’s, and how addiction recovery took Murphy in a direction beyond his wildest dreams. You can watch the trailer here.
Hosted by Heather Major, Executive Director, Independence Blue Cross Foundation.
Recovery is possible, and help is available. Please visit our website for more information, resources and inspiration: www.ibxfoundation.org/SYK
TM 2022 Someone You Know®. All Rights Reserved.
Disclaimers
This podcast contains opinionated content and may not reflect the opinions of any organizations this podcast is affiliated with.
This podcast discusses opioid use, opioid treatment, and physical and psychological trauma, which may be triggering for some listeners. Listener discretion is advised.
This podcast is solely for informational purposes. Listeners are advised to do their own diligence when it comes to making decisions that may affect their health. Patients in need of medical advice should consult their personal health care provider. The purpose of this podcast is to educate and to inform. It is not a substitute for professional care by a doctor or other qualified medical professional.

United States Representative Madeleine Dean and her son Harry Cunnane recently joined Independence Blue Cross’ Someone You Know Associate Resource Group for a virtual town hall. The discussion was moderated by Patrick Flynn, Government Affairs Specialist and Co-lead of the Someone You Know Associate Resource Group, with an introduction by Stephen P. Fera, Executive Vice President of Public Affairs.
In this episode, host Heather Major narrates the virtual town hall event, which highlights Harry’s personal journey to recovery, how Rep. Dean is advocating for federal funding of collegiate recovery programs, and the inspiration behind their memoir, “Under Our Roof: A Son's Battle for Recovery, a Mother's Battle for Her Son.”
Hosted by Heather Major, Executive Director, Independence Blue Cross Foundation.
Recovery is possible, and help is available. Please visit our website for more information, resources and inspiration: www.ibxfoundation.org/SYK
TM 2021 Someone You Know®. All Rights Reserved.
Disclaimers
This podcast contains opinionated content and may not reflect the opinions of any organizations this podcast is affiliated with.
This podcast discusses opioid use, opioid treatment, and physical and psychological trauma, which may be triggering for some listeners. Listener discretion is advised.
This podcast is solely for informational purposes. Listeners are advised to do their own diligence when it comes to making decisions that may affect their health. Patients in need of medical advice should consult their personal health care provider. The purpose of this podcast is to educate and to inform. It is not a substitute for professional care by a doctor or other qualified medical professional.

The Honorable John F. White, Jr. is the President & CEO of The Consortium, a Philadelphia-based nonprofit that provides holistic, community-based services for the empowerment and recovery of all who seek assistance with behavioral health and substance use. Kyle Shearer is a client of The Consortium who benefited from its services throughout his journey to recovery.
In this episode, we discuss staying committed to recovery during times of transition, the pandemic’s impact on individuals struggling with addiction, and the value of support services that address the social determinants of health.
For more information on The Consortium, visit https://consortiuminc.org.  
Hosted by Heather Major, Executive Director, Independence Blue Cross Foundation.
Recovery is possible, and help is available. Please visit our website for more information, resources and inspiration: www.ibxfoundation.org/SYK
TM 2021 Someone You Know®. All Rights Reserved.
Disclaimers
This podcast contains opinionated content and may not reflect the opinions of any organizations this podcast is affiliated with.
This podcast discusses opioid use, opioid treatment, and physical and psychological trauma, which may be triggering for some listeners. Listener discretion is advised.
This podcast is solely for informational purposes. Listeners are advised to do their own diligence when it comes to making decisions that may affect their health. Patients in need of medical advice should consult their personal health care provider. The purpose of this podcast is to educate and to inform. It is not a substitute for professional care by a doctor or other qualified medical professional.

Angela Smith is the Head of School at The Bridge Way School, Philadelphia’s first recovery high school. Kristen Harootunian is a Bridge Way School alumni and public speaker in active recovery.
In this episode, we discuss the challenges young people face when overcoming addiction, the impact of recovery resources in high schools, and how The Bridge Way School creates a learning environment that helps students succeed in their recovery journey.
For more information on The Bridge Way School, visit www.thebridgewayschool.org.
Hosted by Heather Major, Executive Director, Independence Blue Cross Foundation.
Recovery is possible, and help is available. Please visit our website for more information, resources and inspiration: www.ibxfoundation.org/SYK
TM 2021 Someone You Know®. All Rights Reserved.
Disclaimers
This podcast contains opinionated content and may not reflect the opinions of any organizations this podcast is affiliated with.
This podcast discusses opioid use, opioid treatment, and physical and psychological trauma, which may be triggering for some listeners. Listener discretion is advised.
This podcast is solely for informational purposes. Listeners are advised to do their own diligence when it comes to making decisions that may affect their health. Patients in need of medical advice should consult their personal health care provider. The purpose of this podcast is to educate and to inform. It is not a substitute for professional care by a doctor or other qualified medical professional.