JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (March 6, 2025)—As the opioid crisis continues to challenge the
Appalachian Highlands and communities nationwide, Ballad Health and East Tennessee
State University Bill Gatton College of Pharmacy brought together addiction experts,
frontline advocates and community leaders during the Recovery Symposium: Champions
of Support, a day-long event held on March 4 aimed at exploring the opioid crisis
and innovative solutions to support those impacted by substance use disorders.
The symposium, initially postponed last September due to Hurricane Helene, was held
at the Monarch Auditorium at Bristol Regional Medical Center and featured a keynote
from award-winning author Beth Macy.
“We are thrilled to partner with East Tennessee
State University to bring together a distinguished group of experts who are leading
the charge in the fight against substance use disorders,” said Tammy Albright, vice
president and chief executive officer of Ballad Health’s behavioral health services.
“This symposium is a crucial step in our ongoing commitment to supporting individuals
and families affected by the opioid crisis in our region.”
Macy, an American journalist and author renowned for her in-depth exploration of the
opioid crisis in the United States, spoke about the key themes and insights from her
work on the opioid overdose crisis. She also discussed hope, justice and recovery
in addressing the opioid crisis and identifying innovative approaches and solutions
highlighted in her latest book Raising Lazarus: Hope, Justice and the Future of American's Overdose Crisis. Macy is best known for her book, Dopesick: Dealers, Doctors, and the Drug Company that Addicted America, which was adapted into an Emmy-winning Hulu series.
“I’m truly honored to speak at this symposium and share the stories of resilience
and innovation that I’ve encountered in my work,” said Macy before the conference.
“Together, we can turn the tide in this crisis and offer hope to those who need it
most.”
In addition to Macy's keynote, the symposium featured a distinguished panel of speakers,
including:
Judge Stacy Street, First Judicial District Criminal Court, who discussed the success of drug courts and treatment during incarceration. The drug courts were founded by Judge O. Duane Sloan. Street and other event speakers will honor Sloan, who tragically died on Aug. 25 in a traffic accident.
Dr. Sarah Thomason, PharmD, chair of the Department of Pharmacy Practice at ETSU Gatton College of Pharmacy, who provided insights into the identification and management of illicit substance use.- Dr. LaTisha Bader, an expert in addiction psychiatry, explored the role of cannabis
in the 21st century.
Dr. Donna Cherry, ETSU College of Social Work, addressed the impact of adverse childhood experiences on substance use disorders.
“The opioid crisis continues to devastate communities across the country, and events like this symposium are essential for sharing knowledge and fostering collaboration,” said Dr. Thomason. “We are honored to join forces with Ballad Health to make a meaningful impact in the fight against this epidemic.”
This event was free to attend and has been planned and implemented in accordance with
the accreditation requirements and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing
Medical Education (ACCME) through the joint providership of Quillen College of Medicine
and Ballad Health. Quillen College of Medicine is accredited by the ACCME to provide
continuing medical education for physicians.
East Tennessee State University Quillen College of Medicine designates this activity for a maximum of 6.50 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
Ballad Health is accredited as a provider of nursing continuing professional development by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation. A maximum of 6.5 continuing nursing education hours have been approved for this conference. Pharmacists will have access to 6.5 ACPE Credits accredited by The Tennessee Pharmacists Consortium for Education (TPCE). TPCE is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) as a provider of continuing pharmacy education.