Opioid Settlement Funds Provide Life-Changing Care

Westchester Medical Center's MidHudson Regional Hospital is making a significant impact on addiction care by stationing specialized staff in its emergency department. 

In this episode, Regina Hernandez, Network Director of Addictions Programs, and social worker Lauren Taliaferro emphasize the center's focus on accessibility, offering medication-assisted treatment paired with personalized support services. With around 700 encounters in just 14 months, a diverse range of adults have been treated. Patients report feeling more informed, empowered and less judged during setbacks. 

This program demonstrates how opioid settlement funds are providing life-changing care for individuals with substance use disorders. 

Podcast Guests

  • Regina Hernandez, Network Director of Addictions Programs
  • Lauren Taliaferro, Emergency Department Social Worker 

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Full Episode & Transcript

Feature Quote

So a lot of times the way I explain it is if somebody is diabetic, right, they take medication right to help them maintain a healthy level. Medication-assisted treatment for people with substance use disorder is very similar. They're taking medications not to replace one substance for another, but to achieve a level of normalcy for them, a level of what makes them able to function at a comfortable level, to live their lives, to have a quality of life, and whatever that quality of life means is up to them, and we support that with the services we provide.
– Regina Hernandez

Resources