Geisinger’s new Addiction Medicine Program received a $2.5 million federal grant, the company said in a Sept. 20 news release.
The money will support an Addiction Medicine Advanced Practitioner Training Program for physician assistants and certified registered nurse practitioners. The program aims to train practitioners to identify and care for substance use and opioid use disorders, especially for patients in rural areas where healthcare access is limited.
"Studies have shown that Pennsylvania communities — particularly those in rural areas — struggle with access to substance use disorder treatment options, putting more strain on our hospitals," Margaret Jarvis, MD, chief of addiction services for Geisinger Addiction Medicine and the Geisinger Neuroscience Institute, said in the release. "Putting well trained advanced practitioners in primary care sites will provide a stable environment for long-term treatment of addicted patients. Because they’re treated in their communities, it’s easier to help them stay on course."
The first training class is expected to begin in January. The 12-month programs will begin new classes in January and July over the grant's five-year course.