The Pennsylvania Pain and Addiction Summit, now in its seventh year, brings professionals together for a day of sharing expertise and learning from each other about opportunities to approach the treatment of pain and substance use disorder.
Register for the 2025 Summit external website
Learn More about the Summit external website
Keynote Speaker
Jason Grimsley is a former Major League Baseball pitcher who played for seven teams over a memorable 15-year career. He was a member of both the 1999 and 2000 World Series champion New York Yankees. From the highs of pro baseball success to the lows of addiction, near-suicide and the controversy surrounding the infamous doping scandal of 2007, Grimsley’s life is proof that God can take a broken person and put them back together. His book, Cross Stitched, One Man’s Journey from Ruin to Restoration, was named to the #1 best-seller list twice. Jason is an outdoorsman, author, speaker and family man.
About the Conference
During this full-day conference, medical, legal, and law enforcement professionals will discuss the current state of the opioid crisis, share methodology and inter-professional approaches to deal with critical issues, and identify opportunities to approach the treatment of pain and substance abuse. Continuing education hours will be provided.
- DATE: Friday, April 25
- LOCATION: Wilkes University, Stark Learning Center (parking on the Wilkes University campus, details will be emailed closer to event)
- COST: $130 whole day (6 hours of CE), $75 half day (3 hours of CE)
Schedule
- 7-8 AM – Registration & Breakfast
- 8-9 a.m. – Ruth Matthews Bourger Women with Children Program at Misericordia University
- The program empowers economically disadvantaged single mothers by providing the opportunity to complete a college degree, creating brighter futures for themselves and for their children. Paloma Parreno, a student in the program, will share her story.
- Moderator: Katherine Pohlidal M.Ed., M.B.A., L.P.C., Director
- 9-9:15 a.m. — Break
- 9:15-10:15 a.m. – Breakout Sessions
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The Role of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) in regulatory oversight and enforcement in those DEA Registered Health Care Providers
Speakers: James R. Schiffer RPh, Esq. and Carlos Aquino
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Demystifying Buprenorphine Micro-inductions
Speakers: Nicholas Field, PharmD & Neil Shah, PharmD
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Federally Qualified Health Center as Recovery-Oriented System of Care: a community-based approach to SUD treatment
Speakers: Scott Constantini & Dr. Timothy Burke D.O., FACOI
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- 10:15-10:30 a.m. – Break
- 10:30-11:30 a.m. – Breakout Sessions
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Harm Reduction, Overdose Response and the Unregulated Drug Supply
Speaker: Anita Jacobson, PharmD
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Hybrid Service Delivery in Clinical Settings: Creating the Right Balance that Meets Clients’ Needs
Speaker: Maryellen Evers, LCSW, CAADC
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Luzerne County Treatment Court
Speaker: Joe Sklarosky, Judge and Treatment Court Team
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- 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. – Lunch and Keynote Speaker (no CE given)
- Jason Grimsley, Baseball Player
- My Journey from Ruin to Restoration
- Jason will share his journey to becoming a two-time World Series champion while also opening up about hardships he’s faced, including a botched suicide attempt, addiction and the near-destruction of his marriage, and his work towards restoration.
- 12:30-12:45 p.m. – Break
- 12:45-1:45 p.m. - Breakout Sessions
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Psychedelic Therapy, More than Mushrooms
Speakers: Gina Harrison, DNP & Eugene Lucas, DNP
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MAT and The Disease Model of Addiction
Speaker: Karen Arscott, DO
- Breaking Barriers: A Six-Step Framework for Reducing Stigma and Enhancing Harm Reduction Strategies
- Speaker: Herman Taylor, LMSW, CASAC
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- 1:45-2 p.m. - Break
- 2-3 p.m. - Breakout Sessions
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Consortium of Care for NAS: HealthyMOMS
Speakers: Maria Kolcharno, MSE, LSW & Marcella Bicksler
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Electrochemical Detection as a Harm Reduction Strategy for Opioid Overdose Prevention
Speaker: Rodrigo Silva Ferreira, Software Quality Engineer
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My Pain’s In Jeopardy: Testing your knowledge on chronic pain management
Speakers: Maria Foy, Pharm.D., BCPS & Tanya J. Uritsky, Pharm. D. , BCPP
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- 3-4 p.m. – Discussion of the Inheritance documentary
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Explore generational addiction and stigma through the power of documentary storytelling with Matt Moyer, co-director of Inheritance, an award-winning film that examines the root causes of the opioid epidemic in America. Told over 11 years, Inheritance follows Curtis, a bright and hopeful 12-year-old, as he grows up surrounded by both love and struggle. Every adult in his life—parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins—battles addiction, reflecting a broader crisis affecting families and communities across the country. Through Curtis’s story, Inheritance sheds light on an America grappling with substance use disorder, joblessness, poverty, and a fading sense of belonging.
Speaker: Matt Moyer, Co-Director
- 4-5 p.m. – Networking Reception with Speakers (no CE given)
This program is supported by an educational grant from the Moses Taylor Foundation.