The IUI ECHO Center at the IU Richard M. Fairbanks School of Public Health in partnership with the Marion County Public Health Department hosts a special ECHO series designed for medical professionals and first responders to break down stigmas for individuals with substance use disorder. Each interactive session includes a presentation by experts in the field and an opportunity to ask SUD treatment, prevention, and screening-related questions.
About UNITE Against SUD Stigma
UNITE stands for:
Uncover your bias
Notice stigmatizing language
Identify & share resources
Take time to recharge
Empathize & empower
View Past Sessions to Earn CEUs
Viewers are eligible to obtain continuing education credits (CMEs) upon watching the full video and completing the post-test activity. Click the links below to watch the recording.
For questions about CEUs or the recording, please contact the Indiana University School of Medicine Division of Continuing Education in Healthcare Professions at cehp@iu.edu.
Fall 2023 Speakers
November 28, 2023 | Adam Thompson, MPH, CPF
Words Matter: Addressing Bias in Medical Documentation
Describe the conditions that created the current opioid epidemic in the United States.
Reflect on audience experiences with stigmatizing language in healthcare settings.
Describe how language biases can affect patient care and health outcomes.
Compare examples of anti-biased and stigmatizing language in documentation.
Identify language biases in a sample of clinical documentation.
Adam Thompson, MPH, is an independent consultant supporting health systems, communities, and patients to improve health outcomes. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Theology from Georgetown University and a master’s in public health from the Jefferson College of Population Health where he was named the 2022 Public Health Student of the Year.
He is the 2010 recipient of the Leadership in Quality Award from CQII and the HIV/AIDS Bureau and has co-developed several national trainings for Ryan White communities including the Training of Consumers on Quality, the Building Leaders of Color, and ELEVATE & ESCALATE programs. Mr. Thompson is the former Regional Partner Director for the South Jersey AIDS Education and Training Center and brings over 17 years of experience in healthcare improvement and patient engagement.
December 12, 2023 | Eric Yazel, MD
Developing a Comprehensive Overdose Response Plan: Successes and Barriers
Review the development of a comprehensive overdose response plan.
Explore novel methods of addressing stigma in a community and change perceptions.
Examine the quality assurance and community engagement with maintaining a recovery-oriented community.
Dr. Eric Yazel graduated from Indiana University with a B.S. in Biology and an M.A. in Clinical Physiology from Ball State University. He received his Medical Degree from the University of Louisville and completed his residency in Emergency Medicine there as well, serving as Chief Resident.
Over the years, Dr. Yazel has been the medical director for numerous EMS services in the “Kentuckiana” area including Clark County EMS, Rural Metro EMS, and Meade County EMS. In addition to recently being named EMS Medical Director of the State of Indiana, he also serves as an Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine at the University of Louisville, Attending Physician at Clark Memorial Emergency Department, Clark County Health Officer, Chief Medical Officer for LifeSpring Health Systems, and Chief Tactical Physician for the Jeffersonville Police Department.
Summer 2023 Speakers
Kyle Brewer, BS, PRPS, NCPRSS | May 2023
Addiction & Recovery: A Story of Hope, Redemption, and Community
Participants will learn that people can and do recover from Substance Use Disorders.
Participants will be able to describe what a Peer Recovery Specialist is and what services they provide.
Participants will learn why it’s important to offer peer support services in an emergency department/hospital setting.
Participants will learn what stigma is and how it impacts individuals with a Substance Use Disorder.
Kyle Brewer, BS, PRPS, NCPRSS, is the Peer Support and Recovery Services Manager for NAADAC, the Association for Addiction Professionals. He works for NAADAC remotely from Little Rock, AR, managing NAADAC’s peer support and recovery-related initiatives, trainings, contracts, credentials, and programming.
Brewer earned a Bachelor of Science in Addiction Studies from the University of Central Arkansas in 2013. He went on to use his lived experience with drug and alcohol addiction to become a Certified Peer Recovery Specialist, where he became the first Peer Recovery Specialist in Arkansas to be stationed in an emergency department.
In 2020, he became one of the first ten Certified Peer Supervisors in Arkansas. He is a member of NAADAC and The National Association of Peer Supporters (N.A.P.S.). Brewer is a trainer on a variety of topics, including Peer Support, Peer Supervision, Professional Development, and Family Opioid Response Narcan Training.
Brewer was recognized as one of the 2022 Arkansas Money & Politics Future 50. The Future 50 represents business, political and cultural leaders in Arkansas who are poised to do big things in their fields. Most recently, Brewer received the John Avery Award. This award is given to the staff member who has consistently excelled in his or her position, made outstanding contributions in the area of service and dedication to NAADAC, promoted teamwork and collaboration, and done so with a positive and forward-thinking attitude.
May UNITE Presentation - "Addiction & Recovery"
This recording is unavailable.
Rachael Cooper | June 2023
Substance Use Disorder Stigma
Participants will identify the three main forms of stigma that people who use substances or who have substance use disorder face.
Participants will analyze scenarios where patients who use substances or who have substance use disorder encounter various types of stigma.
Rachael is a senior director for the National Stigma Initiative. In this role, Rachael is responsible for a variety of initiatives aimed at reducing the stigmas associated with addiction, working with a variety of audiences that include employers, healthcare professionals, and more.
Chazia "Chaz" Wall-Miles, LPC, NCC | July 2023
Ethical Dilemmas in the Treatment of Those with Substance Use Disorders
Participants will identify knowledge, attitude, and behaviors through self-reflection that may be amplifying the stigmatization of people with substance use disorders
Participants will learn how to implement approaches to reduce the stigma of people with substance use disorders within one's self and have the ability to share such approaches with others
Participants will learn how to identify the biological, environmental, behavioral, and social causes and consequences of drug use and addiction across the consumer’s lifespan and develop new and improved provider strategies to prevent maleficence toward those with substance use concerns and comorbidities.
Chazia “Chaz” is a Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor in Central Texas. Chazia is an Air Force Military Brat, Army Veteran, and Spouse of an Active-Duty Soldier. She loves working with children, teens, adolescents, families, and couples. Chazia is a nationally certified presenter and trainer for Mental Health First Aid, Counseling on Access to Lethal Mean, Columbia Suicide Severity Scale, Safety Planning, and Provider Ethics.
Chazia believes everyone should have a safe and healing place to work through ever-changing difficulties. Chazia tries to help bring families and couples closer together through therapeutic work and help to have fulfilling, healthy relationships. Chazia is in the final editing phase in the dissertation writing phase of her doctoral program in counselor education and Supervision.
The SSAR Project from NAACHO
The Marion County Public Health Department (MCPHD) was awarded grant funding to pilot the Substance Use Stigma Assessment and Response (SSAR) project through the National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO).
The SSAR project focuses on gaining a better understanding of the stigma held by EMS and emergency department staff in relation to patients with SUD to facilitate effective and targeted interventions.
The specific goals of this project are to:
- Reduce negative attitudes towards patients with SUD,
- Increase health professional engagement with and empathy for patients with SUD, and
- Improve patients’ feelings of empowerment to seek harm reduction and treatment services in Marion County.