Description
March 28, 2024 | 12:00-1:30pm
Description:
Individuals experiencing long-term homelessness are at a higher risk of negative health outcomes. This panel discussion will explore how to address the impact long term homelessness has on patients and what clinicians can do to contribute to better outcomes. The panelists will outline practical tools that have been shown to benefit this population, as well as examine policy initiatives that have shown extremely positive outcomes. Drawing from the panelists’ extensive experience with the population, their expertise can empower providers to address the whole-person needs of their patients.
Objectives:
1. Examine the impact long-term homelessness has on a patient’s health.
2. Learn practical methodologies and tools to better address the needs of patients experiencing long-term homelessness.
3. Explore policies that have successfully addressed the unique needs of this population and analyze ways to incorporate these methodologies into one’s own practice.
4. Name effective advocacy to engage your stakeholder to support action.
Presenters:
Cullen Ryan | A formerly licensed clinician (LICSW) with a BA from the University of Vermont and an MA in Counseling and Psychological Services from St. Mary’s University, Cullen has provided case management, family therapy, and individual/group psychotherapy to homeless adults, families, and adolescents in a variety of clinical and non-clinical settings in three states. Since 2004, Cullen has served as Executive Director of Community Housing of Maine, the largest supportive housing provider for homeless and special needs populations in the state. Cullen has organized, united, and led diverse groups, helping Maine and other states speak with one voice to effect change for vulnerable populations through local, state, and federal policy development. He recently co-chaired Maine’s Statewide Homeless Council, co-chaired the Board of Evernorth, chairs the Maine Developmental Services Oversight and Advisory Board, chairs the Maine Coalition for Housing and Quality Services, and serves as President of the Board of Directors for the Maine Continuum of Care. Cullen was a past Chair of the Maine Affordable Housing Coalition. Cullen’s advocacy has been recognized by receipt of the Maine Association of Community Service Providers Legislative Advocacy Award in 2013; the Joseph Brannigan Community Excellence Award in 2014; the Port Resources Shining Star Award in 2015; Spurwink’s 2021 Humanitarian of the Year Award; and the MACSP Bonnie Jean Brooks Shining Light Award in 2023.
Rachel Solotaroff, MD | Rachel Solotaroff, MD, is the Executive Clinical Director of Substance Use Disorder Services at Penobscot Community Health Care, where she provides patient care, oversees substance use disorders care delivery in the outpatient setting, and providing medical direction for withdrawal management at New Horizons. Prior to moving to Maine, Rachel served as Chief Medical Officer and then CEO at Central City Concern in Portland, Oregon. Rachel’s interest lies in using a population health framework to address the complex intersection of homelessness and substance use disorders, often accompanied by trauma, social isolation, and mental illness. Rachel is a general internist with additional board certification in Addiction Medicine and holds a Masters in Clinical Research.
Amy West, MSN, FNP-C | Amy West is a Family Nurse Practitioner who currently practices in addiction medicine as the Associate Medical Director of Substance Use Disorder Services and the Medical Director of Hope House Health and Living Center Clinic Penobscot Community Health Care – serving an unhoused population. She completed her Bachelors of Nursing in 2009 and Masters of Nursing in 2014, both at Northeastern University. Prior to working for PCHC, she worked for Boston Healthcare for the Homeless Program both as an RN and FNP for 9 years. While working in Boston she developed a passion for helping patients navigate barriers to quality healthcare. She has been able to continue this passion with PCHC and their community partners. In addition to public health, Amy also has a love of education. She has worked with the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Northeastern University Bouve College of Health Sciences and the University of Maine as adjunct faculty.
Audience:
Prescribing clinicians and their teams
Continuing Medical Education
This activity 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 the Maine Medical Education Trust and CCSME. The Maine Medical Education Trust is accredited by the Maine Medical Association Committee on Continuing Medical Education and Accreditation to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
The Maine Medical Education Trust designates this regularly scheduled series for a maximum of 1 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
*Nurses and Nurse Practitioners will be awarded a certificate of participation with a maximum of 1 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™.
Contact Hours
1.5 contact hours for social workers, licensed clinical professional counselors, and behavioral health professionals.
1.5 Category I contact hours for psychologists. CCSME is a pre-approved sponsor and provider of Professional Education Activities for Psychologists.
1.5 contact hours for Alcohol and Drug Counselors pending approval by the Maine Board of Alcohol and Drug Counselors
1.5 contact hours CHES. CCSME is a designated provider of continuing education contact hours (CECH) in health education by the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing, Inc.
