Pain and Addiction Summit

Friday, April 25 | 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Wilkes University

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

Keynote Speaker

Jason Grimsley
Baseball Player

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. – TBA
    • The details of the opening session will be announced soon.
    • Speaker: TBA
  • 9-9:15 a.m. — Break
  • 9:15-10:15 a.m. – Breakout Sessions
    • 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

    • Demystifying Buprenorphine Micro-inductions

      Speakers: Nicholas Field, PharmD & Neil Shah, PharmD

    • 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

  • 10:15-10:30 a.m. – Break
  • 10:30-11:30 a.m. – Breakout Sessions
    • Harm Reduction, Overdose Response and the Unregulated Drug Supply

      Speaker: Anita Jacobson, PharmD

    • Hybrid Service Delivery in Clinical Settings: Creating the Right Balance that Meets Clients’ Needs

      Speaker: Maryellen Evers, LCSW, CAADC

    • Luzerne County Treatment Court

      Speaker: Joe Sklarosky, Judge and Treatment Court Team

  • 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. – Lunch and Keynote Speaker (no CE given)
    • Jason Grimsley, Baseball Player
  • 12:30-12:45 p.m. – Break
  • 12:45-1:45 p.m. - Breakout Sessions
    • Psychedelic Therapy, More than Mushrooms

      Speakers: Gina Harrison, DNP & Eugene Lucas, DNP

    • Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome

      Speaker: Felicia Ryan RN, MSN

    • MAT and The Disease Model of Addiction

      Speaker: Karen Arscott, DO

  • 1:45-2 p.m. - Break
  • 2-3 p.m. - Breakout Sessions
    • Consortium of Care for NAS: HealthyMOMS

      Speakers: Maria Kolcharno, MSE, LSW & Marcella Bicksler

    • Electrochemical Detection as a Harm Reduction Strategy for Opioid Overdose Prevention

      Speaker: Rodrigo Silva Ferreira, Software Quality Engineer

    • My Pain’s In Jeopardy: Testing your knowledge on chronic pain management

      Speakers: Maria Foy, Pharm.D., BCPS & Tanya J. Uritsky, Pharm. D. , BCPP

  • 3-4 p.m. – Discussion of the Inheritance documentary
  • Inheritance explores the underlying causes of the opioid epidemic in America through the life of one boy and five generations of his extended family over 11 years. Curtis, a bright and hopeful 12 year-old, grows up surrounded by love and struggle while every adult in his family – parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins – battle addiction. Curtis’s America is a country where people and communities are struggling with an epidemic of substance use disorder, joblessness, poverty, and a deteriorating 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.

Accessibility

Wilkes University is an equal opportunity institution. Patrons requesting accommodations or services at Wilkes University or Wilkes University-sponsored events in accordance with The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Title III: Public Accommodations are asked to contact the Center for Continued Learning. It is recommended that requests be made at least five (5) business days prior to any event.

Nondiscrimination Policy Statement

The Center for Continued Learning
(570) 408-4460