MAHEC
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Opioid Overdose Response Teams: Best Practices

Course # 73315
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Opioid Overdose Response Teams: Best Practices

Location

Mountain Area Health Education Center
Blue Ridge Room
121 Hendersonville Road
Asheville, NC 28803-2868

Dates & Times

Oct 8, 2025 8:30 AM – Oct 9, 2025 4:00 PM

Contact

Do you have event related questions or need help with registration?

MAHEC and Eshelman Innovation, housed within UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, present a two-day summit to share innovative tools, education, and insights on opioid overdose response teams and best practices throughout North Carolina. This summit geared especially for opioid response teams including PORT & QRT team members, EMS, peer support specialists, county staff, harm reduction organizations, health departments, and clinicians will provide two days of dynamic sessions on topics including post overdose response, harm reduction, and peer support.

Our day one keynote will be delivered by Tripp Winslow, MD, MPH, of Wake Forest School of Medicine and will provide an overview of post-overdose response on a state level. Our day two keynote will feature Melanie Bush, MPAff, of NCDHHS and Katie Alexander, BA, of Pisgah Legal Services and will discuss Medicaid Expansion in North Carolina.

In addition to these keynote topics, the inaugural PORT Summit will feature breakout sessions with many of the county EMS teams across North Carolina who have PORT teams. The PORT Summit will be a great opportunity for participants who have a lot of experience working in the PORT setting or are just getting started.

Limited scholarships are available to certified Peer Support Specialists or Community Health Workers in North Carolina. Please apply here.

MAHEC engages in evaluation activities to better understand the impact of our programs. By registering for this course, you agree that we may use your personal information in evaluative research regarding this program. Any reports published will be de-identified and reported in aggregate format.

Summit Agenda Summit Faculty


Planning Committee:

Jim Albright, BA, MS, NRP | Guilford County Emergency Services
Elizbeth Flemmng, MA, LCMHC | MAHEC
Tess Friesen, MPH | MAHEC
Alison Gunn, MPHNC | DHHS
Matt Hanis, BA | Goldie Health
Karen Lambert | MAHEC
Nina Oliver, MS | Carteret County Health Department
Kayla Rice, BA | MAHEC
Nidhi Sachdeva, MPH | NC Association of County Commissioners
Shuchin Shukla, MD, MPH | Goldie Health
Eric Southern, MSEM, CCP, Instructor II | Surry County Emergency Services
Randall Williams, MD, FACOG | Carteret County Health and Human Services
James (Tripp) Winslow, MD, MPH | DHHS
Tyler Yates, BSW, CADC | DHHS

Accommodations

DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Asheville - Biltmore
115 Hendersonville Road, Asheville, NC 28803
Reservations: 828-274-1800 or book online here
Rate of $139.00 plus taxes and fees

Hampton Inn & Suites Asheville - Biltmore
117 Hendersonville Road, Asheville, NC 28803
Reservations: 828-277-1800 or book online here
Rate of $146.00 plus taxes and fees

Book by: September 7, 2025


In Collaboration With

UNC Chapel Hill



With Support From

Eshelman Innovation Logo NC Collaboratory

Audience

This program is designed for opioid response teams including PORT & QRT team members; EMS; Peer Support Specialists; County Staff; Harm Reduction Organizations; Health Departments; Clinicians including Physicians, Physician Assistants and Nurse Practitioners; and others interested in this subject.

Objectives

check Analyze the state of MOUD in North Carolina, identify and discuss the challenges and barriers to treatment, and explore ways to increase access to MOUD
check Identify opportunities to collaborate with EMS agencies to improve data quality, share insights, and evaluate the effectiveness of overdose response programs
check Examine and discuss the impact of Medicaid expansion, review the improvements and barriers to enrollment and acknowledge the power of advocacy to improve the health of North Carolinians
check Outline the origins and principles of harm reduction, including the benefit of access to SSP and acknowledge ways it can be practiced at both the individual and the community level in urban, suburban and rural areas
check Demonstrate knowledge of innovative methods to integrate peer support and harm reduction practices with community paramedicine by utilizing collaborative efforts with community partners
check Discuss and differentiate the opioid settlement funding opportunities available in North Carolina and analyze local strategic planning efforts to maximize impact of the opioid settlement
check Consider the importance of equitable partnerships between government agencies or institutions and community-based organizations and foster strong relationships with proper support through a lens of respect, compassion, and empathy
check Explain the importance of addressing work stress and trauma exposure and demonstrate examples to address this in order to promote individual and team wellbeing

Fees

Cancellation Policy

Early Registration Fee

$290.00

Applies 7/1/25–10/1/25

Registration Fee

$305.00

Applies 10/2/25–10/8/25

Available Credits

CEU 1.200

The Mountain Area Health Education Center designates this entire live continuing education activity as meeting the criteria for 1.20 CEUs as established by the National Task Force on the Continuing Education Unit.

Contact Hours 11.500

Nurse Practitioners

Nurse Practitioners: This activity was designated for 11.50 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™.

Contact Hours 11.500

MAHEC designates this live continuing education activity as meeting the criteria for 11.50 Contact Hours.

CME for Physician Assistants 11.500

Physician Assistants: AAPA accepts certificate of participation for educational activities certified for AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ from organizations accredited by ACCME or a recognized state medical society. Physician Assistants may receive a maximum of 11.50 hours of Category 1 credit for completing this program.

AMA PRA Category 1 Credit TM 11.500

Accreditation: The Mountain Area Health Education Center (MAHEC) is accredited by the Southern States CME Collaborative to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

Credit Designation: MAHEC designates this live activity for a maximum of 11.50 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Speakers

Jim L. Albright, NRP, BA, MS
Specialist for EC Services
Katie Alexander, BA
Mary Lynn Barrett, LCSW, MPH
Diagnostic Medical Sonographer
Samantha C. Bradley, NCCPSS
April Bragg, PhD
Assistant Professor - Division of Cardiology
Alicia Brunelli, PSS, CTR
Ainsley Bryce
Melanie Bush, MPAff
Pastoral Counselor
Mike S. Campbell, EMT-P
John A. Casstevens, CCP
Sonya Cheek, CPSS, CADC-R
Medical Social Worker
Justin C. Garrity, MSW
Justin Greer, EMT-P, CP-C
Justin Hall, NCCPSS, EMT-B, CADC-R
Brandi N. Hayes, CNA, NCCPSS, CHW
Michael L. Hayes, NCCPSS, CCHW-VPP
James A. Hood
Dental Assistant
Claire W. Hubbard, EMT-P, RN
Brooke B. Lane, MPH, CHES
Michael Lyons, BS, Paramedic
Michelle L. Mathis
Marvin McCoy, RN,EMS, ACLS, PALS, NRP
Angela McKay, NCCPSS
Graduate Student Internship
Brandon Miller, BS, NRP, CP-C
Clinicical Substance Abuse Counselor
Timothy Nolan, ANP
Lars Paul, BA
Social Worker
Elyse Powell
Jason Powell, BA, CCEMTP, CPSS
Nidhi Sachdeva, MPH
Mary Jo Silver, NCCPSS
Michael Thull, LCSW, LCAS, CCS
Tara W. Tucker, MS, EMT-P, CP-C
Access Clinician
Donnie R. Varnell, BS
Louise Vincent, MPH
Sierra White, NCEMT-P, MAT-C
Loftin Wilson
Tripp E. Winslow, III, MD, MPH
Professor

Sessions

Main Conference

Opioid Overdose Response Teams: Best Practices

10/8 8:30 AM – 10/9 4:00 PM

Day 1 - Morning Sessions 1

Breakout 1A: Guilford County PORT Experiences

10/8 10:00 AM – 10:45 AM

Breakout 1B: Gaston County Post Overdose Response Team

10/8 10:00 AM – 10:45 AM

Breakout 1C: Boots on the Ground & Linkage to Care (Catawba Co)

10/8 10:00 AM – 10:45 AM

Breakout 1D: MOUD 360- A Full Circle Approach to the Opioid Crisis (Wake Co)

10/8 10:00 AM – 10:45 AM

Day 1 - Morning Sessions 2

Breakout 1E: Community Paramedicine and the Opioid Crisis: Fighting Addiction from the Front Lines (Stanly Co)

10/8 10:45 AM – 11:30 AM

Breakout 1F: Community Paramedics - Providing Whole Community Social Health Care: Meeting People Where They Are (Buncombe Co)

10/8 10:45 AM – 11:30 AM

Breakout 1G: Surry County Opioid Overdose Response Team: Best Practices

10/8 10:45 AM – 11:30 AM

Breakout 1H: Responding in Real Time: Optimizing Patient Engagement and Referrals (Carteret Co)

10/8 10:45 AM – 11:30 AM

Day 1 - Afternoon Sessions 1

Breakout 2A: Guilford County PORT Experiences

10/8 12:30 PM – 1:15 PM

Breakout 2B: Gaston County Post Overdose Response Team

10/8 12:30 PM – 1:15 PM

Breakout 2C: Boots on the Ground & Linkage to Care (Catawba Co)

10/8 12:30 PM – 1:15 PM

Breakout 2D: MOUD 360- A Full Circle Approach to the Opioid Crisis (Wake Co)

10/8 12:30 PM – 1:15 PM

Day 1 - Afternoon Sessions 2

Breakout 2E: Community Paramedicine and the Opioid Crisis: Fighting Addiction from the Front Lines (Stanley Co)

10/8 1:15 PM – 2:00 PM

Breakout 2F: Community Paramedics - Providing Whole Community Social Health Care: Meeting People Where They Are (Buncombe Co)

10/8 1:15 PM – 2:00 PM

Breakout 2G: Surry County Opioid Overdose Response Team: Best Practices

10/8 1:15 PM – 2:00 PM

Breakout 2H: Responding in Real Time: Optimizing Patient Engagement and Referrals (Carteret Co)

10/8 1:15 PM – 2:00 PM

Day 2 - Morning Sessions

Breakout 3A: Introduction to Harm Reduction Principles and Strategies

10/9 11:00 AM – 11:45 AM

Breakout 3B: Exploring Your Why: Consumer Expertise and Reducing Overdose

10/9 11:00 AM – 11:45 AM

Breakout 3C: Rural Harm Reduction Development and Progress: Lessons from Holler Harm Reduction

10/9 11:00 AM – 11:45 AM

Breakout 3D: Harm Reduction Partnerships

10/9 11:00 AM – 11:45 AM

Day 2 - Afternoon Sessions

Breakout 4A: Introduction to Harm Reduction Principles and Strategies

10/9 12:45 PM – 1:30 PM

Breakout 4B: Exploring Your Why: Consumer Expertise and Reducing Overdose

10/9 12:45 PM – 1:30 PM

Breakout 4C: Rural Harm Reduction Development and Progress: Lessons from Holler Harm Reduction

10/9 12:45 PM – 1:30 PM

Breakout 4D: Harm Reduction Partnerships

10/9 12:45 PM – 1:30 PM

Additional Resources

Cancellation Policy

MAHEC has a pay-up-front policy for all CE programs. The only exceptions will be for pre-approved programs where an individual payment plan is appropriate. Registrations received without accompanying payment will not be processed and participants who have not paid the course fee will not be admitted into the program.

Unless otherwise noted in course materials, the following cancellation policy applies to all programs:

  • Cancellations must be in writing (fax, email, or mail).
  • Cancellations received more than 2 weeks prior to the event will receive 100% refund.
  • Cancellations received between two weeks and two full business days prior to the first day of the event are refunded at 70% of the registration fee subject to a minimum $25 cancellation fee.
  • No refunds or credits will be given for cancellations received less than two full business days prior to the event.
  • No vouchers will be issued in lieu of a refund.
  • Transfers/substitute(s) are welcome (please notify us in advance of the program).
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