Addiction Medicine Essentials 2026
October 16-17, 2026 – Virtual
The 9th annual Addiction Medicine Essentials conference provides an opportunity for clinicians from a wide range of specialties and practice settings to build knowledge and skills around substance use disorders. The conference offers plenaries relevant to all providers as well as intro level workshops for those new to addiction medicine and more advanced content for experienced addiction medicine clinicians.
Below you will find the full agenda for each day, updates will be posted as available.
CME/CE Pending: Approximately 12.25 hours for the full conference.
The Conference Begins in...
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Building a Foundation in Addiction Medicine
Addiction Medicine Essentials is the Governor's Institute's foundational educational program designed to equip healthcare professionals, behavioral health providers, and other professionals with practical, evidence-informed knowledge to better understand and respond to substance use and addiction. Through expert-led presentations, interactive learning, and real-world applications, Essentials introduces participants to core concepts in prevention, treatment, recovery, and person-centered care. Whether new to the field or looking to strengthen existing knowledge, participants gain practical skills and resources they can immediately apply in their work to improve outcomes for individuals, families, and communities affected by substance use disorders.
Agenda
- Sara McEwen, MD, MPH - Governor's Institute

See speaker biography
- Lawrence Greenblatt, MD - State Health Director and Chief Medical Officer

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- James H. Berry, DO, DFAOAAM - West Virginia School of Medicine

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- Michael Lynch, MD, FACEP, FACMT - UPMC

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Morning Break
- Saarah Waleed, LMHC, MS, NCC - North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services

See speaker biography
- Mary Beth Cox, MPH - NC DHHS Division of Public Health

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- Katherine Hill, MPH - Yale University

Lunch Break
- Jeanette Tetrault, MD - Yale School of Medicine

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- Meredith Niess, MD, MPH - Duke University
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- Keith Humphreys, PhD

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Afternoon Break
- Genevieve Verrastro, MD, FAAFP - MAHEC
- Kelly Fedoriw, MD, Addiction Medicine - UNC School of Medicine

See speaker biography

See speaker biography
- Hillary Tamar, MD, FASAM - Community Medical Services
- Aaron Ferguson, BSW - Community Medical Services

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See speaker biography
- Olivia Caron, PharmD, BCACP, CPP, FNCAP - MAHEC
- Amy Lenell, PharmD, AAHIVP - MAHEC

See speaker biography
See speaker biography
- Meredith Niess, MD, MPH - Duke University
- Sara Martin, MD, MSc - Duke University School of Medicine
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See speaker biography
- Logan Adams, MD, FASAM - McLeod Centers for Wellbeing

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- David Ryan, MD - ECU Health

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- Olivia Caron, PharmD, BCACP, CPP, FNCAP - MAHEC

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Morning Break
- Melinda Ramage, FNP-BC, CARN-AP, LCAS - NC Perinatal Substance Use Disorder Network

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- Michael Baca-Atlas, MD, FASAM - Clinical Associate Professor Family Medicine/Psychiatry, University of North Carolina School of Medicine

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Lunch Break
- Shane Collins, MD, MS - University of Southern California - Keck School of Medicine

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- Christopher Welsh, MD - University of Maryland School of Medicine

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Conference REGISTRATION
Physician Registration
$200
non-Physician Registration
$170
SINGLE DAY Registration
$100
Accreditation & Credit Designation Statements
Joint Accreditation Statement: In support of improving patient care, this activity has been planned and implemented by the Governor’s Institute and the American Society of Addiction Medicine. The American Society of Addiction Medicine is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.
Physicians The American Society of Addiction Medicine designates this live activity for a maximum of 12.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
Nurses: This activity awards 12.25 Nursing contact hours.
Pharmacy: This activity will offer 12.25 pharmacy contact hours (1.23 CEUs). Pharmacists will be asked to provide identifying information (e-Profile ID and DOB in MMDD format) in order to receive credit and allow reporting to CPE Monitor. (UAN: JA0000141-9999-26-036-L01-P)
Social Workers: As a Jointly Accredited Organization, ASAM is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Organizations, not individual courses, are approved under this program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. Social workers completing this course receive 12.25 general continuing education credits.
Interprofessional Continuing Education (IPCE) Credits: This activity was planned by and for the healthcare team, and learners will receive 12.25 Interprofessional Continuing Education (IPCE) credit for learning and change.
Counselors: The North Carolina Addiction Specialist Professional Practice Board has approved the 2026 Addiction Medicine Essentials Conference for up to 12.25 hours SS (specialty hours in EBT, PSY, ND, and HIV available based on sessions attended). Approval Code: 26-549-S
Disclosure Information
In accordance with the disclosure policies of ASAM and Joint Accreditation, the effort is made to ensure balance, independence, objectivity, and scientific rigor in all accredited continuing education activities. These policies include identifying and mitigating all relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies for those involved in the creation and dissemination of accredited continuing education.
The planners, faculty, or those in control of creating or disseminating this accredited continuing education have no relevant financial relationships.

Cancellation Policy
We understand that plans can change. Refunds (up to 100%) will be allowed until Friday, October 9th. After October 9th no refunds will be given. The sessions will be recorded and available to view after the conference should you not be able to attend live.
FUNDERS



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