Developing connections between colleagues can be a powerful tool when seeking out additional ways to make an impact. For USACS physicians and APPs, having a network of 6,000+ colleagues who are dedicated to their profession and improving the field of medicine just an email or phone call away is invaluable. Being able to lean on one another to learn, get involved, or develop new programs empowers our physicians and APPs to go further in their careers.
For Glenn Hebel, MD, Medical Director of Exeter Hospital in Exeter, New Hampshire, having colleagues to connect with on a topic he’s been passionate about for years, substance use disorders, helped him take his efforts in the Exeter ED to the next level.
“I joined a group created by our chief of clinical innovation, Jesse Pines, MD, MBA, MSCE, focused on substance use disorder treatment in the ED,” said Dr. Hebel. “In this group, I got to connect with Arianna Campbell, MPH, PA-C, who has achieved a great deal of success in her substance use disorder efforts. Being able to have discussions with her and learn about the programming she’s developed to address substance use disorders was tremendously helpful as I championed similar efforts for the Exeter ED.”
Since graduating from his emergency medicine residency in 1995, Dr. Hebel has served as a medical director at several small community hospitals. Having ample experience as both an emergency physician and medical director, he has witnessed the rise of substance use disorders and felt called to make a change.
“Throughout my career, I’ve noticed substance use disorder patients are typically not treated very well by the healthcare system,” said Dr. Hebel. “I would talk with my wife, who is a nurse practitioner and has spent much of her career in behavioral health and substance use treatment facilities, about the discrepancies in care for these patients and would bounce ideas off her for what could be done to make a difference. With her encouragement and helpful insight, it became a goal of mine to develop and implement treatment plans in the ED that would better address the needs of these patients.”
Prior to joining USACS, Dr. Hebel began a substance use disorder treatment program in his former ED to help address the ongoing opioid epidemic. Having success in his previous efforts, Dr. Hebel approached the chief medical officer (CMO) at Exeter Hospital, Dr. Neil Meehan, to discuss the potential of implementing a similar program in their ED. Given the CMO’s background as an emergency physician who has also seen the influx of substance use disorders in the ED, Dr. Hebel was given the green light to begin his work.
Leaning on his previous program implementation experience and having productive dialogue with Arianna about her ongoing efforts, Dr. Hebel submitted his proposal to the Exeter CMO. Eager to see change, the CMO quickly organized a multi-disciplinary team to help launch the program and obtain buy-in across the organization, which is not always easy to achieve.
“It is so important to break the silos of our hospitals and departments so we can effectively work together to make an impact,” said Dr. Hebel. “It was so encouraging that my colleagues in every department were ready to help however they could. As we’ve rolled out our program in the ED, we’ve seen a positive response from clinicians in their willingness to embrace change in how we treat substance use disorder patients in the ED.”
In just under a year, Dr. Hebel and his colleagues were able to develop and implement several procedures and new standards of practice to enhance their care of those who come into the ED with any indication of substance use disorder. Achieving this level of success in such a short amount of time is not typical in the hospital setting. It speaks volumes of Dr. Hebel’s passion, experience, and drive that the Exeter ED has seen such an impressive shift.
For those thinking about championing a similar program, Dr. Hebel says, “I would encourage anyone who wants to see change in their ED for this particular patient population to take on the challenge with the confidence because you’ll have the support of your colleagues at USACS. The work is extremely gratifying because these patients are used to being dismissed and labeled as drug addicts. When you treat them with kindness and respect, and you deliver the medical treatment they need, they respond really well to the assistance and resources provided. Making a difference in the lives of all patients, no matter their background, is what keeps me motivated and invested in my role as a physician.”
