Bridge Program, HEAL Weymouth Highlighted at MHA Conference

Did you know that the Bridge Program, part of the Grayken Center for Treatment at South Shore Health has treated 1,765 people and performed 14,236 office visits since its inception?

And, through the efforts of the nationally-sponsored, Weymouth-based HEAL (Helping End Addiction Long-term) Initiative, the program has been able to extend its hours to better serve our community.

The Weymouth HEAL Coalition has brought together a diverse group of organizations to reduce opioid overdose deaths in Weymouth.

Todd Kerensky, MD, Medical Director for the Bridge Program, recently participated in a panel discussion at the Massachusetts Health and Hospital Association’s (MHA) Harm Reduction Conference.

Members of the panel explained that the HEAL study aims to decrease opioid overdose deaths by supporting new services or the expansion of existing services to provide:

• Opioid overdose education and naloxone distribution
• Medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD)
• Promotion of safer prescribing

The expansion of the Bridge Program hours until 7 PM on Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday has resulted in South Shore Health improving access to MOUD – especially for people who work – as well as opioid overdose education and naloxone distribution. 

Dr. Kerensky explained to conference-goers that the Bridge Program’s work is made possible and enhanced by our “champions and partners.”

He thanked the collaborators for their tireless efforts to create access, bring awareness and provide treatment for individuals seeking care. He also thanked RIZE Massachusetts for supporting a peer recovery coach and emphasized the importance of including people with lived experience in our programs.

Community champions and partners involved in the HEAL initiative include:

South Shore Health

Tim Quigley, Senior Vice President

Dan Condon, Manager

Cheryl Coveney, Director

Aspire Health Alliance

Alexa Mace, Divisional Director of Integrated SUD Services

Bay State Community Services and Boston Medical Center

Sheila Hampton, Jane Carpenter, Merielle Saucier, Cassandra Emond, Drs. Samet, Bagley, Walley

Manet Community Health Center

Spectrum Health Systems - OTP

Weymouth Public Health Department