Sharing Practices Across the Country
Along with resources and publications, we are sharing best practices related to substance use disorder through presentations around the U.S. We look forward to these opportunities to connect and share ideas.
Interested in learning more? Connect with us through Program Assistance.
Unless otherwise indicated, presenters are members of our Rural Center of Excellence team or with University of Rochester Medicine.
2026
Rx and Illicit Drug Summit
April 6-9, 2026, Nashville, TN
Welcome to My Backyard: How Rural Opioid Treatment Programs Bring Positive Change (poster): Itza Morales, MSB, CASAC; Michele Herrmann Herrmann, MPH
• Learn about the Welcoming Recovery project.
New York Society of Addiction Medicine Annual Conference
March 6-7, 2026, New York, New York
Latent Class Analysis of Intentional Opioid Use and Individual- and County-Level Factors in Rural U.S. (poster): Wonkyung Kniffen, PhD; Daniel Maeng, PhD; Hugh Crean, PhD; Victoria Pezzino, PsyD; Neha Pawar, MBBS; Caroline Easton, PhD
Rural Communities Opioid Response Program Reserve Site Visit
March 3-5, 2026, Washington, DC
Reducing Adolescent Vaping: Community-Driven Resources for Rural Areas: Holly Ann Russell, MD, MS; Caroline Easton, PhD; Lisham Ashrafioun, PhD
• Learn about the reducing adolescent vaping project.
2025
2025 Advances in School Mental Health Conference
December 2-4, 2025, Orlando, FL
Centering Community Voice: Practical Strategies for Participatory School Mental Health: Melissa Heatly, PhD; Allison Stiles, PhD; Laura Perrone, PhD; Linda Alpert-Gillis, PhD; Chris Cretelle, MBA, PMP
• Learn about the Growing Resilience project.
North American Primary Care Research Group Annual Meeting
November 22, 2025, Atlanta, GA/Virtual
Barriers and Facilitators of Rural Youth E-cigarette Prevention and Cessation: Holly Ann Russell, MD, MS; Kristin Palladino, NP; Erin Mattison, MPH; Shivani Sockanathan, MD
• Learn about the reducing adolescent vaping project.
American Association for the Treatment of Opioid Dependence Conference
October 4-8, 2025, Philadelphia, PA
Welcome to My Backyard: How Rural Opioid Treatment Programs Bring Positive Change (poster): Itza Morales, MSB, CASAC; Michele Herrmann Herrmann, MPH
• Learn about the Welcoming Recovery project.
AcademyHealth Annual Research Meeting
June 7-10, 2025, Minneapolis, MN
Impact of Combined Medications for Opioid Use Disorder and Psychotherapy on All-Cause Acute Care Utilization and Cost of Care Among Privately Insured Patients (poster): Suiyue Cui, MPH; Daniel Maeng, PhD
30-month Impact of Medications for Opioid Use Disorder on Acute Care Utilization in Rural Communities (poster): Daniel Maeng, PhD
Differences in Use of Benzodiazepine and Medications for Opioid Use Disorder Between Urban and Rural Residents with Opioid Use Disorder Since the COVID-19 Pandemic (poster): Daniel Maeng, PhD
Rural Communities Opioid Response Program Reserve Site Visit
March 4-6, 2025, Washington, DC
Community-Based Substance Use Disorder Prevention for Rural Youth: Lisham Ashrafioun, PhD; Caroline Easton, PhD; Alexander Barrette, MBA; Melissa Heatly, PhD; Holly Ann Russell, MD, MS
• Learn about the Growing Resilience and reducing adolescent vaping projects.
2024
National Rural Health Day
November 21, 2024, Virtual
The Power of Rural in Action: RCORP Success Stories and Strategies: Megan Meacham, HRSA Federal Office of Rural Health Policy; Tedra L. Cobb, MSEd; Kim Shuler, LCSW, Arkansas Behavioral Health Integration Network, Inc.
• Visit the National Rural Health Day site.
32th Annual West Virginia Rural Health Conference
November 13-15, 2024, Daniels, WV
Art, Storytelling, and Lived Experience as an Antidote to Stigma: Michele Herrmann, BS; Gloria Baciewicz, MD; Ken Sayres, MA
• Learn about projects to reduce stigma.
Rural Communities Opioid Response Program Technical Assistance (RCORP-TA) Webinar
October 15, 2024, Virtual
Introducing the Rural Centers of Excellence (RCOEs) on Substance Use Disorder (SUD) and the Rural SUD Info Center: Alexander Barrette, MBA; Lisham Ashrafioun, PhD; Stacey Sigmon, PhD, University of Vermont Center on Rural Addiction (UVM CORA); Ashley Mallett, PhD, MBA, UVM CORA; Ernie Fletcher, MD, Fletcher Group; Joseph Allred, Fletcher Group; Grace Clancy, Fletcher Group
• Visit the Rural SUD Info Center.
Jefferson Medical College Department of Population Health Research Seminar
September 18, 2024, Virtual
30-Month Impact of Medications for Opioid Use Disorder on Acute Care Utilization in Rural Communities: Daniel Maeng, PhD
University of Vermont Center on Rural Addiction Community Rounds Webinar
September 18, 2024
Addressing Stigma at the Individual, Provider, and Community Levels: Lisham Ashrafioun, PhD
• Learn about projects to reduce stigma.
Ninety-Fifth Meeting of the National Advisory Committee on Rural Health and Human Services
September 4, 2024, Santa Fe, NM
The Rural Opioid and Substance Use Crisis: A National Perspective: Kenneth R. Conner, PsyD, MPH; Valerie Harder, PhD, MHS, University of Vermont Center on Rural Addiction; Dave Johnson, Fletcher Group
Rural Communities Opioid Response Program Technical Assistance (RCORP-TA) Webinar
August 6, 2024
Assessment of Substance Use Disorder Strategies for Addressing Stigma Rural Areas Webinar Materials: Peter Jackson, MD, University of Vermont; Lisham Ashrafioun, PhD; Valerie Harder, PhD, MHS, University of Vermont; Maddie Ashworth, PhD, Fletcher Group
• Learn about projects to reduce stigma.
2024 AcademyHealth Annual Research Meeting
July 1, 2024, Baltimore, MD
Urban vs. Rural Disparities in Medical Outcomes of Controlled Substance Exposures: Findings from the Poison Control Center Data, 2019-2022 (poster): Daniel Maeng, PhD; Patrick Walsh, PhD; Hugh Crean, PhD
State Prescription Drug Program Mandate Levels and Opioid Dispensing Rates and Adverse Substance Exposure Events Using Poison Control Center Data, 2019-2022 (poster): Patrick Walsh, PhD; Daniel Maeng, PhD; Hugh Crean, PhD
Appalachian Syndemic Summit
May 19-21, 2024, White Sulphur Springs, WV
Equipping Rural Behavioral Health Providers: Innovative Approaches to Delivering Care and Supporting Professional Development: Michele Herrmann, BS
Rural Communities Opioid Response Program Reserve Site Visit
March 6-8, 2024, Washington, DC
Community Conversations on Opioid Use Disorder: Addressing SUD Stigma in Rural Communities: Gloria Baciewicz, MD; Lisham Ashrafioun, PhD; Tedra L. Cobb, MSEd; Lauren Savoie, JD, Jersey Community Hospital; Sarah Crawford, MHA, Jersey Community Hospital; Naomi G. Fulton, CRSS, Chestnut Health Systems; Yara M. Castro, Mariposa Community Health Center
• Learn about Community Conversations on OUD.
Integrating Care for Patients With Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders (for Implementation IV Cohort Session): Gloria Baciewicz, MD, Lisham Ashrafioun, PhD
2023
Rural Behavioral Health Workforce Summit: HRSA Office of Intergovernmental and External Affairs Region 5
September 6, 2023, Virtual
UR Medicine Recovery Center of Excellence: Gloria Baciewicz, MD; Lisham Ashrafioun, PhD; Alexander Barrette, MBA
Rural Community Health Connections Summit: Rural Communities Opioid Response Program Reserve Site Visit
July 11, 2023, Washington, DC
Community Conversations: Promoting SUD Recovery by Addressing Stigma: Tedra L. Cobb, MSEd; Dean Seneca, MPH, MCRP, Seneca Scientific Solutions+; Gloria Baciewicz, MD; Michele Lawrence, MBA, MPH
• Learn about Community Conversations on OUD.
New York Health Information Management Association 2023 Annual Conference
June 7, 2023, Albany, NY
The Opioid Crisis and Opioid Overdose Prevention Training: Michele Herrmann, BS
• Visit our page about naloxone.
National Rural Health Association Conference
May 16, 2023, San Diego, CA
Indigenous Community Conversations: Promoting Substance Use Disorder Recovery: Kiley Diop, MSc, Health Resources and Services Administration; Lisham Ashrafioun, PhD; Dean Seneca, MPH, MCRP, Seneca Scientific Solutions+; Michele Lawrence, MBA, MPH; Chris Cretelle, MBA, PMP
• Learn about Indigenous Community Converations.
2023 Rx & Illicit Drug Summit
April 10-13, 2023, Atlanta, GA
Ecosystem of Recovery: Creating a Rural SUD System of Care: Michele Lawrence, MPH, MBA; Gloria Baciewicz, MD; Holly Ann Russell, MD, MS
Prevention Leaders with Dave Closson
March 7, 2023
Addressing Stigma in Rural Communities Through Art and Workshops (podcast episode): Lisham Ashrafioun, PhD; Tedra Cobb, MSEd
• Learn about Community Conversations on OUD.
2022
Rural Communities Opioid Response Program Technical Assistance (RCORP-TA) Webinar
December 13, 2022
RCORP Rural Centers of Excellence Showcase: Kiley Diop, MSc, HRSA; Jennifer Noel, LCSW, University of Vermont Center on Rural Addiction; Janice Fulkerson, Fletcher Group; Gloria Baciewicz, MD; Michele Lawrence, MPH, MBA
HRSA Celebration of National Rural Health Day: Federal Office of Rural Health Policy Grantee Webinar
November 16, 2022
Creating Rural Systems of Care for Behavioral Health: Michele Lawrence, MPH, MBA
30th Annual West Virginia Rural Health Conference
October 19-20, 2022, Lewisburg, WV
Creating a Rural SUD System of Care: Michele Lawrence, MPH, MBA
Oklahoma Alliance for Recovery Residences Summit
September 19-20, 2022, Broken Arrow, OK
Creating a Rural SUD System of Care: Gloria Baciewicz, MD; Michele Lawrence, MPH, MBA
Coalition of Medication-Assisted Treatment Providers and Advocates Symposium
June 13, 2022, New York, NY
Opioid Treatment Programs: Federal Regulations and Possible Solutions to Make the OTP System More Flexible, Safe, and Patient-Centered (panel): Patrick Seche, MS, CASAC
• Learn about Rural Opioid and Direct Support Services (ROADSS).
Fletcher Group Rural Center of Excellence Building Rural Recovery Ecosystems Summit
June 8-10, 2022, Memphis, TN
Creating a Rural SUD System of Care: Gloria Baciewicz, MD; Michele Lawrence, MPH, MBA
New York Health Information Management Association 2022 Annual Conference
June 5-8, 2022, Rochester, NY
The Opioid Crisis: Patrick Seche, MS, CASAC
Rural Health Conference – Let’s Talk About Health: Caring for Seniors in Rural New York
May 20-21, 2022, Virtual
Unique and Neglected: Opioid Misuse and Treatment for Older Adults in Rural Areas: Patrick Seche, MS, CASAC
Fletcher Group Rural Center of Excellence Webinar Series
May 5, 2022
Rural Communities Response: Evidence-Based and Emerging Practices for Opioid Use Disorder: Michele Herrmann, BS
2022 Rx & Illicit Drug Summit
April 18-21, 2022, Atlanta, GA
Evolution of Integrated Care: A Reimagined Hub-and-Spoke Model to Include All Medications for Treatment of Opioid Use Disorder (poster): Patrick Seche, MS, CASAC; Michele Herrmann, BS; Kimberly Chiaramonte, MSS; Kenneth Conner, PsyD, MPH
Addressing Opioid Use Disorder Stigma Using Art in Rural Appalachia (poster): Lisham Ashrafioun, PhD; Gloria Baciewicz, MD; Kenneth Conner, PsyD, MPH; Kimberly Chiaramonte, MSS; Charmaine Wheatley; Tedra Cobb, MSEd
2021
American Public Health Association Annual Meeting & Expo
October 24-27, 2021, Denver, CO
UR Medicine Recovery Center of Excellence featured as “Thought Leader” (film)
Alabama Provider Capacity Project
July 23, 2021, Virtual
Bridging the Gap: Telemedicine as a Path to Primary Care Pharmacotherapy for Opioid Use Disorder: Holly Ann Russell, MD, MS; Michele Lawrence, MPH, MBA
American Association for the Treatment of Opioid Dependence Conference
April 10-14, 2021, Virtual
Providing Support During the Pandemic: Group Treatment via a Videoconferencing Platform (poster): Julie Achtyl, MS, LMC, Master-CASAC, NCC; Christine Lasher, BA; Kenneth Conner, PsyD, MPH; Esther Arnold, PhD; Patrick Seche, MS, CASAC; Gloria Baciewicz, MD
Evolution of Integrated Care: A Reimagined Hub-and-Spoke Model to Include All Medications for Treatment of Opioid Use Disorder (poster): Patrick Seche, MS, CASAC; Michele Herrmann, BS; Kimberly Chiaramonte, MSS; Kenneth Conner, PsyD, MPH
Strong Recovery’s Staff Retention Initiatives: Emphasizing Professional Development and Wellness: Patrick Seche, MS, CASAC; Itza Morales, MSB, CASAC
• Learn about supporting staff wellness.
Operation UNITE Rural Health Opioid Program Virtual Provider Education Summit: “Hope Continues”
January 14, 2021, Virtual
Increasing Access to Treatment for OUD Within Primary Care: Holly Ann Russell, MD, MS
• Learn about Treatment of OUD in Primary Care.
Screening and Treatment for OUD in Rural EDs: Timothy Wiegand, MD, FACMT, FAACT, DFASAM; Michele Lawrence, MPH, MBA
2020
National Dialogues on Behavioral Health
September 24, 2020, Virtual
Response to the Pandemic for Persons With Opioid Use Disorder: What Works: Gloria Baciewicz, MD; Patrick Seche, MS, CASAC
Rural Health Information Hub Webinar
March 3, 2020
Addressing Rural Substance Use With the RCORP Rural Centers of Excellence: Stacey Sigmon, PhD, University of Vermont College of Medicine; Ernie Fletcher, MD, Fletcher Group; Gloria Baciewicz, MD
