HISTORY OF PSAM
Pennsylvania Society of Addiction Medicine has been affiliated as a State Chapter of the American Society of Addiction Medicine. By 2003, the American Society of Addiction Medicine was certifying State Chapters, with 34 charted chapters already created. Pennsylvania became a State Chapter with Dr. Richard Limoges as the first President of PSAM. He served until 2005 when Dr. Fred Bauer joined as chapter President of PSAM.
THROUGH THE LENS OF DR. BAURER:
“I was asked to join PSAM and serve as chapter president in 2005 by the then-president, Richard Limoges. We were not well funded but had a PSAM Board and some energy. We chose to focus our efforts on educational programming, legislative/public policy issues, and building alliances with other organizations to expand our reach in these areas.”
“In the educational realm, we supported study groups and annual symposia with the assistance of industry sponsors and private facilities such as Ashley and Caron Foundation. Dr. Kyle Kampman, a national addiction expert, chaired our addiction study group hosted by University of Pennsylvania and supported by Ashley Treatment Center. We honor the memory of Dr. Kenneth Thompson who was a vibrant Board member who served as Medical Director at Caron Foundation. With Ken’s liaison, the Caron Foundation hosted and supported four annual addiction medicine conferences”
“PSAM then partnered with the Philadelphia Psychiatric Society and Thomas Jefferson University to co-sponsor the ongoing annual conference for Addiction Medicine/ Addiction Psychiatry, a popular and well attended event including everyone from medical students and residents to professionals. In recent years, we were pleased to develop a Women’s Committee partnership with Women Advancing Addiction Medicine. This vibrant group included current Board member and President Dr. Kristin Van Zant, Board member and immediate past-Treasurer Dr. Ellen Conroy (now the President of the Philadelphia Psychiatric Society), and state leader and addiction expert, and immediate Past President of the Pennsylvania Psychiatric Society, Dr. Hope Selarnick. In addition, Dr. Pete De Maria has been a long-time Board member, popular lecturer, and driving force behind our educational endeavors.”
“We also honor the memory of another lion in our field who served on PSAM Board for many years. Dr. Neil Capretto, longtime medical director of Gateway Rehabilitation Center in Pittsburgh, was a powerful voice in advancing our field and an unwavering advocate for compassionate and professional treatment for addicted individuals. Neil’s indomitable spirit endured until his death from cancer in 2018.”
“In the legislative arena we supported efforts to expand access to addiction treatment, allying with traditional treatment programs. But as buprenorphine treatment became more mainstream, we often found ourselves fighting rear-guard actions against what we perceived to be regressive forces within our own field, i.e. initiatives opposing expansion of MAT and other broader approaches to addiction treatment. While we have always respected the 12 step treatment model we objected to actions that sought to restrict newer evidence-based treatment approaches.”
“The COVID pandemic ushered in unexpected changes in our field, most notably the striking opportunities afforded by telemedicine and virtual conferencing opportunities.Especially in a geographically large state like PA, we were suddenly able to offer programming statewide without the logistical challenges of in-person conferences.Under the leadership of Immediate Past President Bill Santoro and now President Kristin Van Zant, and the infusion of younger leaders such as President-Elect James Latronica, we are infused with new energy that is taking us in several directions.These include:
1. Expansion of leadership and membership
2. Expansion of educational opportunities including the addition of a PSAM virtual conference and future in-person venues.
3. Integration with National ASAM through Chapters Council and collaboration around legislative and public policy issues as they emerge.
4. Enhanced engagement with membership through an interactive website.
5. Legislative support of public policies focusing on advancing harm reduction, safety, and access to care
We are proud of the work we have done in the past and with our energetic leadership and membership, a dynamic future lies ahead for PSAM!”
Dr. Fred Baurer
President, PSAM 2005-2021
Fred Baurer, MD, DABAM
Fred Baurer, MD, DABAM
THROUGH THE LENS OF DR. BAURER:
“I was asked to join PSAM and serve as chapter president in 2005 by the then-president, Richard Limoges. We were not well funded but had a PSAM Board and some energy. We chose to focus our efforts on educational programming, legislative/public policy issues, and building alliances with other organizations to expand our reach in these areas.”
“In the educational realm, we supported study groups and annual symposia with the assistance of industry sponsors and private facilities such as Ashley and Caron Foundation. Dr. Kyle Kampman, a national addiction expert, chaired our addiction study group hosted by University of Pennsylvania and supported by Ashley Treatment Center. We honor the memory of Dr. Kenneth Thompson who was a vibrant Board member who served as Medical Director at Caron Foundation. With Ken’s liaison, the Caron Foundation hosted and supported four annual addiction medicine conferences”
“PSAM then partnered with the Philadelphia Psychiatric Society and Thomas Jefferson University to co-sponsor the ongoing annual conference for Addiction Medicine/ Addiction Psychiatry, a popular and well attended event including everyone from medical students and residents to professionals. In recent years, we were pleased to develop a Women’s Committee partnership with Women Advancing Addiction Medicine. This vibrant group included current Board member and President Dr. Kristin Van Zant, Board member and immediate past-Treasurer Dr. Ellen Conroy (now the President of the Philadelphia Psychiatric Society), and state leader and addiction expert, and immediate Past President of the Pennsylvania Psychiatric Society, Dr. Hope Selarnick. In addition, Dr. Pete De Maria has been a long-time Board member, popular lecturer, and driving force behind our educational endeavors.”
“We also honor the memory of another lion in our field who served on PSAM Board for many years. Dr. Neil Capretto, longtime medical director of Gateway Rehabilitation Center in Pittsburgh, was a powerful voice in advancing our field and an unwavering advocate for compassionate and professional treatment for addicted individuals. Neil’s indomitable spirit endured until his death from cancer in 2018.”
“In the legislative arena we supported efforts to expand access to addiction treatment, allying with traditional treatment programs. But as buprenorphine treatment became more mainstream, we often found ourselves fighting rear-guard actions against what we perceived to be regressive forces within our own field, i.e. initiatives opposing expansion of MAT and other broader approaches to addiction treatment. While we have always respected the 12 step treatment model we objected to actions that sought to restrict newer evidence-based treatment approaches.”
“The COVID pandemic ushered in unexpected changes in our field, most notably the striking opportunities afforded by telemedicine and virtual conferencing opportunities.Especially in a geographically large state like PA, we were suddenly able to offer programming statewide without the logistical challenges of in-person conferences.Under the leadership of Immediate Past President Bill Santoro and now President Kristin Van Zant, and the infusion of younger leaders such as President-Elect James Latronica, we are infused with new energy that is taking us in several directions.These include:
1. Expansion of leadership and membership
2. Expansion of educational opportunities including the addition of a PSAM virtual conference and future in-person venues.
3. Integration with National ASAM through Chapters Council and collaboration around legislative and public policy issues as they emerge.
4. Enhanced engagement with membership through an interactive website.
5. Legislative support of public policies focusing on advancing harm reduction, safety, and access to care
We are proud of the work we have done in the past and with our energetic leadership and membership, a dynamic future lies ahead for PSAM!”
Dr. Fred Baurer
President, PSAM 2005-2021