Cover2 Resources

Greg interviews Mike Tobin, the Community and Public Affairs Specialist with the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Cleveland, OH. As the Community and Public Affairs Specialist, Mike oversees the office’s interactions with both the media and the community, covering a multitude of high profile cases, including those relating to the opioid epidemic. Listen to the podcast to discover how law enforcement and the Department of Justice are going undercover to take down online communities devoted to illegal trading and the sale of drugs.

Greg interviews Gary Mendell, the founder of HEI Hotels & Resorts and Shatterproof, a non-profit organization dedicated to working for policy change to help combat the opioid epidemic. Mr. Mendell created Shatterproof in honor of his son Brian, who lost his battle to substance abuse in 2011. Listen to the podcast to discover how Mr. Mendell and Shatterproof are building a coalition of organizations to create an infrastructure to measure which processes work best for those fighting against substance abuse disorder.

Greg interviews Rene Elefteriou, a resident of Parma, Ohio that started the program B.A. FORCE, Battling Addiction Families of Recovering Children & Education. B.A. FORCE was created to help families affected by the opioid epidemic, as well as those suffering or recovering from substance abuse disorder. Listen to the podcast to discover how Rene and those working with B.A. FORCE are inspiring others in Parma and the greater Northeast Ohio area to reach out, seek help, and speak about their experiences to spread awareness.

Greg interviews Michael Summers, the mayor of Lakewood, Ohio - an inner ring suburb right outside downtown Cleveland. Since 2015, the number of opioid overdoses in Lakewood has more than tripled, and Mayor Summers and his team have developed a new program called SOAR (Supporting Opiate Addiction Recovery) to combat the growing crisis. Listen to the podcast to discover how the community of Lakewood is continuing to work together to build awareness and support for those affected by the opioid epidemic.

Greg interviews Lydia Ramsey, a reporter for Business Insider, covering pharmaceutical, biotech industries, and healthcare. He also interviews Jay Ruais, the Chief Operating Officer and Vice President of Government Affairs for the Addiction Policy Forum in Washington, D.C. Both Lydia and Jay have closely followed Congress’ decisions on healthcare reform. Listen to the podcast to discover how the government aims to continue its commitment to funding programs that aid in the opioid epidemic, and how granting states waivers can help in the process.

Greg interviews Thom Olmstead, the Director of University Partner Collaborations at St. Vincent Charity Medical Center, as well as Orlando Howard, the Manager of Outpatient Treatment Services at Rosary Hall. The St. Vincent Charity Medical Center and Rosary Hall are currently running a pilot program that offers free Uber rides to those in Intensive Out Patient Program (IOP) Treatment. Listen to the podcast to discover how this program is directly affecting IOP treatment patient’s lives and how it helps keep those recovering from substance abuse disorder stay on track.

Greg interviews Dr. Doug Nemecek, the Chief medical officer of CIGNA’s Behavioral Health Business. Dr. Nemecek, along with CIGNA, has worked to create a program to cut down on the amount of opioids prescribed to patients. Listen to the podcast to discover how this program is not only helping to reduce overprescribing and treat substance abuse disorders, but is also eliminating the stigma of substance abuse disorder and opioid use disorder being a character flaw.

Dr. Phyllis Hendry is a tenured Professor of Emergency Medicine and Pediatrics at the University of Florida College of Medicine in Jacksonville. She completed her pediatric residency at Louisiana State University Medical Center in Shreveport followed by a pediatric emergency medicine fellowship at University of Florida Health Science Center/Jacksonville. She served as Director of Pediatric Emergency Services at UF Health from 1993-2005 and since 2008 has been Assistant Chair for Emergency Medicine Research. In March 2016 she was appointed TraumaOne Deputy Medical Director of Pediatric Transport. Listen to the podcast to discover how P.A.M.I. provides both physicians and patients with free access to pain management education videos, dosing guides, and discharge plans to make sure patients are fully aware of their options.

Greg interviews Dr. Sarah Friebert, the Director of Pediatric Palliative Care at Akron Children’s Hospital. The Pediatric Palliative Care Center provides care to children that are affected by complex, chronic, or serious conditions. Listen to the podcast to discover how Dr. Friebert and her team at Akron Children's Hospital are building community care to combat the growing opioid epidemic.

Greg interviews Emelia Sherin, a sophomore public relations student at Kent State University. Emelia recently wrote a play covering the perspective and daily struggle of those suffering from substance abuse disorder. Listen to the podcast to discover how Emelia turned these interviews into a live stage play and what she learned from her time speaking with those affected by the opioid epidemic.

Greg interviews Jay Edwards, the State Representative for Ohio House District 94. Representative Edwards recently introduced a bill, known as House Bill 167 or Daniel’s Law, that aims to cut back on the over prescribing of opioids by limiting the amount physicians can prescribe. Listen to the podcast to discover how this bill is increasing opioid use education for health professionals and opening up online help services for those suffering from substance abuse disorders.

Greg interviews Dr. Martin Klapheke, the Assistant Dean of Medical Education and Professor of Psychiatry at The University of Central Florida. Dr. Klapheke and his team have developed a new opioid-related curriculum to help medical students fully understand how to safely treat substance abuse disorder and prevent the over-prescribing of opioids. Listen to the podcast to discover how the curriculum created by Dr. Klapheke and his team aims to not only educate medical students in every specialty on how to deal with this epidemic, but graduates and practicing physicians alike.

Greg interviews Bill Ayars, the founder of The Emerald Jenny Foundation, a comprehensive database of recovery resources in Ohio. Created in memory of his daughter Jennifer Emerald Ayars, the foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping families find treatment for their loved ones. Listen to the podcast to discover how The Emerald Jenny Foundation is continuing to work to make the road to recovery easier to travel.

Greg interviews Lisa Landau, the Bureau Chief of Health Care at the NYS Office of Attorney General Eric Schneiderman. Lisa and her team have been working since 2012 to remove health care coverage blocks for those seeking treatment for substance abuse disorder. Listen to the podcast to discover how Lisa’s team is continuing to make healthcare providers aware of these issues and how states can address similar issues on their own.

Greg interviews Dr. Geoffrey Capraro, an assistant professor of Emergency Medicine at Brown University. Dr. Capraro has developed an emergency kit, called NaloxBox that makes Naloxone publicly available to bystander rescuers. Listen to the podcast to discover how Dr. Capraro and his team are installing these NaloxBoxes in public areas and training people to administer the drug along with life-saving assistance.

Greg interviews Dr. Shawn Ryan, the President and CMO of the BrightView Treatment Center, as well as the President of the Ohio Society of Addiction Medicine. Dr. Ryan has spent the last six years working to combat the growing opioid epidemic both in his local community and throughout the rest of Ohio. Listen to the podcast to discover how Ohio legislators are working to put laws in place to help limit supply and increase prevention, as well as how every community can be proactive in their fight against substance abuse disorder.

Greg interviews Dave Aronberg, the State Attorney of Palm Beach County, Florida. Mr. Aronberg established a Sober Homes Task Force to combat the numerous flop-houses and fake treatment centers that have popped up around Delray Beach. Listen to the podcast to discover how these fake detox and treatment centers keep people in their systems and how State Attorney Aronberg and his team are fighting to break the cycle.

Greg interviews Rosalie Canfield, the Director of Operations for Hope Over Heroin. Hope Over Heroin is a collaborative, faith-based organization that aims to unite addiction and recovery resources in one location, so that those suffering from substance abuse disorders can find the help they need.

Greg interviews Capt. Houston Park, Dr. Belma Andric, and Dr. Mar Schlosser about their work on a new Subxone pilot program in Palm Beach, Florida. The program, modeled after a similar program at Yale-New Haven Hospital in Connecticut, involves a five step process to help those suffering from opioid use disorder get into treatment. Listen to the podcast to discover how these Suboxone doses coupled with peer counseling is acting as an on ramp for treatment for those suffering from substance use disorder in Palm Beach County, Florida.

Greg interviews Officer Bud Lytle, a Public Information and Crime Prevention Officer for the Chillicothe Police Department. Bud and his department have shifted from traditional police tactics to approaches more in line with social work to help combat the growing opioid epidemic in their county.