Mid-Atlantic Permanente Medical Group (MAPMG) Physician Director of Pharmacy & Therapeutics/Medication Safety, Carol Forster, MD, joined national experts and thought leaders in Baltimore on October 30 to focus on possible solutions to the nation’s opioid epidemic.
The Clinton Health Matters Initiative and the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health co-hosted the forum, “America’s Opioid Epidemic, From Evidence to Impact,” with former President Bill Clinton, Obama drug czar Michael Botticelli, and JHU School of Public Health Dean Ellen MacKenzie among the featured speakers. The opioid summit focused on evidence-based recommendations reflecting the most current science and how to translate that evidence to action. Panelists included Maryland Congressman Elijah Cummings, American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten, Baltimore City Health Commissioner Leana Wen, Facing Addiction CEO Jim Hood, Newtown, Ohio Police Chief Tom Synan and Erica Poellot, Judson Memorial Church Senior Community Minister.
A webcast of the opioid summit is available online, and Dr. Forster’s remarks begin around the 1 hour 50 minute mark. The event was covered by state and regional news organizations, including the Baltimore Sun.
