 |
|
|
Kavita Babu, MD, (fourth from left) leads a demonstration of a simulated overdose response in an emergency room. The demonstration is part of the new opioid conscious curriculum designed and implemented by UMMS. |
On International Overdose Awareness Day, members of the Department of Emergency Medicine at UMass Medical School are launching the Overdose Prevention Fund in support of academic efforts in research, education and community-based interventions to help stem the opioid overdose epidemic that has gripped Massachusetts and the rest of the country.
“Overall, our goal is continue our growth as a research and clinical powerhouse on overdose prevention,” said Kavita Babu, MD, associate professor of emergency medicine. “Monies raised through this effort will accelerate and broaden our mission of eradicating overdoses.”
Dr. Babu said she and her fellow emergency physicians and medical toxicologists confront the overdose epidemic every day. Edward Boyer, MD, PhD, professor of emergency medicine; and Matthew Griswold, MD, clinical instructor of emergency medicine; have been working with Babu on the issue.
“We witness the toll of overdose and addiction on patients and their loved ones. For years, we have been treating patients, educating providers and performing cutting edge research on the prevention of overdose. Now, we are looking to make greater strides with this support,” she said.
Goals of the fund include:
- Development of evidence-based interventions through research and expert consensus;
- Partnership with schools, parent groups and community organizations for outreach on opioid safety, addiction prevention and treatment;
- Creation of summer research assistantships for medical students focusing on overdose treatment and prevention;
- Support for faculty educators and researchers who focus on overdose treatment and prevention through competitive seed grant funding for projects focused on overdose prevention and addiction treatment and,
- Endowment of named professorships for physician-scientists and researchers to enable long-term, focused time-allocation for overdose prevention research and clinical work.
Donations to the Overdose Prevention Fund can be made by visiting the Office of Advancement online donation form, selecting “other” in the first field and typing “Overdose Prevention Fund” in the space provided.
Related stories on UMassMedNow:
Safe-opioid prescribing working group details success in AAMC journal Academic Medicine
Gov. Baker lauds UMass Medical School graduates at 43rd Commencement
UMMS implements curriculum changes in current academic year to address opioid crisis
UMMS working with other Mass. medical schools, governor on opioid prescribing practices
UMMS Graduate School of Nursing adopts opioid conscious curriculum
