In 2019, the Physician Assistant, MPA program faculty developed a lecture series titled “Patient-Centered Approach to Identification and Management of Substance Use Disorders (SUDs).”

This series equips healthcare providers with invaluable tools for identifying patients with substance use disorders. The educational mission goes beyond mere identification of SUDs, aiming to cultivate a profound understanding of the disease and impart skills for compassionate and dignified management and treatment of the disease.

Drs. Ajay Manhapra and Stephanie Peglow played pivotal roles in crafting this series. We extend a warm invitation for your participation in the session scheduled Feb. 12 to Feb. 15, 2024, including a networking event on Thursday, Feb. 15.

Networking Event: Community of Support

Event details

This lecture series is developed to equip providers with invaluable tools for identifying patients with substance use disorders. Our mission extends beyond identifying patients; we aim to foster a deep understanding of effective and compassionate communication with these patients instilling a beacon of hope for recovery in those affected by addiction.

As we navigate through this series, envision it as a vital component in addressing the crisis that looms over our communities due to this pervasive disease. My personal journey, triggered by the impact of addiction within my own family, illuminated the profound influence this affliction can exert on a person's life and those around them. Witnessing my brother Branden's arduous struggle and ultimate triumph in recovery compelled me to share his story, a testament to God’s grace and Branden’s tenacity and faithfulness that defined his path.

Branden's narrative serves as the catalyst for a paradigm shift in how providers approach those affected by addiction. A fundamental realization emerged early in this journey – the need for a cultural shift where sharing stories becomes the norm, eradicating the stigma and shame surrounding personal struggles. Simultaneously, as providers, we must cultivate an environment where open discussions about addiction are not just accepted but encouraged.

In the face of the escalating crisis within our community, it becomes imperative for us to not only identify addiction but also comprehend the array of treatment options and community resources available. This necessitates a commitment to responsible and safe prescribing practices. Throughout the development of this series, our unwavering focus has been to maintain a patient-centered approach. By emphasizing the humanistic side of medicine and illuminating the profound impact on individuals' lives, we believe we can better serve our communities.

Our aspiration is that, post-series, you will share our passion for fostering an environment where discussions on this disease are met with ease, that you will possess a newfound confidence in your knowledge, and, most importantly, that you will become an advocate for sharing the hope of recovery with patients and families grappling with addiction.

We express our sincere gratitude for your participation in viewing this lecture series or any segment thereof. Together, let us embark on a journey towards understanding, empathy, and a collective commitment to bringing hope to those in need.

Sincerely,
Angela Conrad, MPA, PA-C, DFAAPA
Clinical Director
Associate Professor
Eastern Virginia Medical School
Physician Assistant Program

Experts in the field of addiction medicine will provide a four-day course on substance use disorders. Students and clinicians will be provided with tools to identify patients at risk and properly utilize motivational interviewing to enhance patient interactions. Additionally, this course will provide information about treatment options and local resources available to patients, as well as appropriate prescribing and management of pain.

The lecture series will be followed by a community networking event. The purpose of this event is to connect students and providers on the front lines of healthcare with local community resources for patients and families affected by substance use disorders, including addiction medicine practices, community services boards and more. The goal is for each attendee to leave feeling better equipped to connect patients and their families with appropriate resources that will put them on a path toward hope and recovery.

View Agenda

Dr. Ajay Manhapra

Ajay Manhapra, MD
Dr. Manhapra received his Doctor of Medicine degree at MBBS Medical College in India. He completed his internal medicine residency at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit and a Fellowship in Addiction Treatment at Yale School of Medicine. He is the Section Chief of Pain Management at the Hampton VA Medical Center. He has received several national awards and has spoken internationally on addiction and pain management.

Dr. David Langille

David Langille, MD, FACEP
Dr. Langille received his medical degree at Dalhousie University Faculty of Medicine in Halifax, Nova Scotia. He then completed his emergency medicine residency at EVMS in 1991.

He is currently one of the founding members of Right Path Treatment Centers now Brightview and works full-time specializing in addiction medicine.

Dr. Stephanie PeglowStephanie Peglow, DO, MPH
Dr. Peglow earned her Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree from West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine. She completed her psychiatry residency at EVMS and Addiction Psychiatry Fellowship, Advanced Fellowship in Addiction Research, and a Master’s in Public Health at Yale University.

Her research interests are in health policy of addictions, disparities in opioid use disorder treatment, and innovative and harm reduction models for addiction treatment.

Dr. Jennifer Hanner

Jennifer Hanner, MD, MPH
Dr. Hanner is a Norfolk native. She earned her medical degree from the University of Virginia and completed psychiatry residency training at the Johns Hopkins Hospital.

She then completed fellowships in Addiction Psychiatry at Columbia University and Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry at New York University. Dr. Hanner is an Associate Professor of Psychiatry at EVMS, serving as a Community Faculty member.

Dr. Jonathan Lee

Jonathan Lee, MD, MBA
Dr. Lee is Medical Director at the Farley Center in Williamsburg, Virginia. He is board certified with the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, Internal Medicine, and Addiction Medicine. He is Co-Chair of the Physicians’ Health Committee for the American Academy of Addiction Psychiatry.

Dr. Lee serves as Co-Chair of the Education Committee for the Virginia Society of Addiction Medicine.

Edward Logan

Edward Logan
Mr. Logan began his career in 1982 when he joined the Philadelphia Police Department where he joined the DEA Task Force. He then became a Diversion Investigator for the Philadelphia Division of the DEA in 2011. He has held several positions and is now the Diversion Group Supervisor for the Washington Division.

He focuses on collaborating with the community and healthcare professionals to ensure compliance and prevent diversion.

Odessa Ochoa

Odessa Ochoa
Ms. Ochoa is a native of Trinidad and Tobago. She received her Master of PA Science from Seton Hill University and holds a PhD in Public Health from Walden University. She began a career in addiction medicine over ten years ago at The Farley Center and currently works at the Hampton VA Medical Center. Her passion in combatting the opioid epidemic is matched by her determination to help families and those struggling with substance use and mental health disorder reflected in her motto “It’s never too late to change.”

David Arthur

David Arthur
Mr. Arthur obtained his bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Virginia Commonwealth University while working as a mental health technician at Tucker’s Psychiatric Pavilion in Henrico, Virginia. He obtained his Physician Assistant degree from EVMS and had over 7 years of experience in Emergency Medicine before transitioning into Psychiatry. His areas of interest include suboxone treatment for opiate use disorder and substance use disorders. He currently works as part of the next day access clinic at Sentara Norfolk General Hospital.

The Community Networking Event: Creating a Community of Support event concludes the four-day immersive course: Patient-Centered Approach to Identification and Management of Substance Use Disorders (SUDs). We hope you will consider attending this wonderful networking event.

The networking event will be held at EVMS on Thursday, Feb. 15, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. in Waitzer Hall, Room 200. We seek community partners who are interested in sharing resources that are available to help equip providers in healthcare. This event will be open to the public. Participation in this event is free.

Interested in hosting a table at the networking event? Registration for this event is free. Registration will close on Feb. 5, 2024. Please register your organization.

Park in Visitor Parking Garage A located between Olney Road and Fairfax Avenue off of Wagner Road. Bring your ticket stub with you as you as you will be provided with validation stickers to stick onto the stub. When you exit the elevator side of the parking garage, turn left and walk along Children’s Lane across Fairfax Avenue. Continue along Children’s Lane toward Visitor Lot B.

Waitzer Hall is located behind Andrews Hall. Enter Waitzer Hall through the main doors in front of the green space lawn. This building is only accessible with a badge, but someone will be available to let you in. Guests will need to check in with security in the lobby. The Networking Event will be in Room 200 on the second floor. Directional signs will lead to the room.

A map with arrows pointing to the location of the training. Directions outlined in the text above.

  • Behavioral Health Group
  • Brightview Health
  • Norfolk Community Services Board
  • Precision Diagnostics
  • The Up Center
  • Virginia Beach Psychiatric Center
  • Life Consultants, Inc.
  • NAMI (NAMI Coastal Virginia, National Alliance on Mental Illness)
  • Safe Harbor Recovery Center/The Farley Center
  • GHR Center for Addiction
  • United Community Solutions
  • NARANON/Alanon
  • Pasadena Villa Outpatient-Norfolk
  • Aegis Sciences Corporation
  • Benzodiazepine Information Coalition
  • M. Foscue Brock Institute “The Pathways Project”
  • Al-Anon Tidewater, VA
  • COSA