The fast pace and patient acuity are what drew Dr. Trevor Eckenswiller to emergency medicine. “We see people on some of the worst days of their lives. I have the opportunity to intervene and alter that experience,” he said.
Today, Dr. Eckenswiller has expanded those intervention opportunities beyond the bedside as medical director of the Opioid Use Disorder initiative at Corewell Health Beaumont Troy Hospital. The OUD initiative started as a substance use disorder program developed by Tiffany Morelli, RN, an Emergency Center nurse at Troy. During his first year as an attending physician at Troy, Dr. Eckenswiller worked with Tiffany treating many patients with OUD.
“I saw firsthand so many people struggling to attempt to overcome addiction and the impact it had on their lives and their families’ lives,” he said.
A grant from Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan and two years of additional funding from Corewell Health Foundation Southeast Michigan allowed the OUD initiative to expand, Dr. Eckenswiller took the opportunity to become involved, helping a vulnerable patient population and growing his professional experience. The OUD team now includes Dr. Eckenswiller, Tiffany Morelli, RN and Sara Klick, APP.
The goals of the OUD initiative are to:
- Initiate medications for OUD (formerly Medication Assisted Treatment)
- Provide patients take-home naloxone kits to help reduce harm from opioid overdoses
- Connect patients to outpatient OUD providers and community resources
- Decrease stigma behind OUD
Being the medical director of the OUD program has enabled Dr. Eckenswiller to explore the administrative side of the health system and develop relationships outside of his daily clinical work. He has also grown his skills in protocol development and quality improvement.
The OUD team consults with 40-60 patients per month. Many patients come through the EC, but the team also supports patients and families on inpatient units.
“In addition to helping patients, we initiate conversations with family members and help connect them to therapy,” said Dr. Eckenswiller.
Spending more time with patients with OUD has broadened his perspective as a physician. “I’ve seen the unfortunate situations people can find themselves in and their struggles attempting to overcome them. It’s revealed some of the social determinants and barriers to access for mental health care and allowed me to explore facets of care that may not have been a large part of my medical education up until this point.”
Dr. Eckenswiller is glad he took the opportunity to grow his experience as a physician and finds his work through the OUD initiative rewarding and fulfilling.
“The most satisfying situation is when a patient is ready and willing to accept treatment. We can initiate them on medication, help them through withdrawal and be a bridge to our colleagues in the community to continue assisting with their recovery,” he said.