WVSOM celebrated the holiday season with variety of events
WVSOM provided perspective on prescription pills through a
WVSOM students, faculty, staff and administrators enjoyed the holiday
continuing medical education conference that took place at the end
season with a variety of events that allowed the WVSOM community to
of September on campus.
come together and celebrate the Christmas season.
“Prescribing Opioids for Chronic Pain: Balancing Safety and
One of the first events, the holiday luncheon, gathered WVSOM
Efficacy” was offered to physicians, dentists, nurses, physician
employees at the alumni center for a holiday feast of turkey and
assistants and others who care for patients receiving opioid
traditional side dishes. The luncheon gave co-workers the opportunity
medications.
to catch up with one another during the hustle and bustle of the
For years prescription drug use and abuse in rural areas has kept
holiday season.
the state of West Virginia teetering at the top of many troubling
Employees also showcased their Christmas spirit by decorating their
lists. West Virginia is considered one of America’s most medicated
office doors. They were encouraged to incorporate the 40th anniversary
states, with the state filling 17.7 prescriptions per capita compared
theme in keeping with the year’s celebration.
to a national average of 11.5, according to Verispan, a health care information company. In West Virginia, prescription drug addiction,
The winners of the door-decorating contest were:
abuse and deaths involving opioid painkillers is more than twice the
First place — Donna Tolbert
national average, according to the Journal of the American Medical Association.
Second place — Ken Miller and Todd Trent
These startling statistics are a primary reason why WVSOM
Third place — Carrie Lawrence and Susan Griffith; Debbie Hughes and
administrators wanted to educate physicians about the importance
Rebecca Smith; Chris Breeden and Mike McDade; and Tricia Hoover
of properly prescribing pain medication as well as being aware of
and Tabitha Pack.
when patients abuse these drugs.
Special recognition was given to — the GME department, Joyce Martin,
The CME program provided current information on the scope of
Tina Richmond, Vickie Roane, Holly Hardesty, Charlie Brown and
opioid prescription abuse in West Virginia, the proper protocols
Charity Richmond and Jeffrey Shawver.
for prescribing opioids and the state’s prescription monitoring
Winners were announced during the annual hallway holiday party,
program to identify misuse or abuse. It also addressed areas of
hosted by Drs. Cheryl and Michael Adelman, Dr. Jim Nemitz and Dr.
epidemiology, legal and regulatory issues and clinical strategies for
Lorenzo Pence. Snacks and treats were available to students who
managing difficult patient situations.
wanted to de-stress from class and studying and to employees who
The program was endorsed by Sen. Jay Rockefeller’s office and
wanted a break from the workday.
supported by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services
Three chocolate Santa figurines were raffled. The winners were: Dr.
Administration of the U.S. Department of Health and Human
Kristie Bridges for faculty; Ross Knowles for students; and Jason
Services.
Thomas for staff. Employee Linda Meadows also received hot cocoa
Health care officials are not the only people interested in making a
from Starbuck’s.
difference in the lives of patients in West Virginia.
The holiday festivities continued with a quad holiday party and a
Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin has made prescription drug abuse the No. 1
holiday breakfast reception at the library.
health care priority in West Virginia. In 2012, the West Virginia state legislature passed a law requiring all physicians to attend an approved opioid prescriber continuing medical education course in order to maintain their license to practice medicine.
WVSOM MAGAZINE
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WINTER 2013
37
SCHOOL NEWS
WVSOM shed light on prescribing opioids