Breaking Barriers in Rural Health

In this episode, our guests Capt. Kimberly Westfall and Tech Sgt. Elijah Gutierrez of the Alaska National Guard’s Counter Drug Support Program explain that, while vulnerabilities often exist in rural drug treatment and harm reduction, a number of support factors unique to rural life also exist. Learn how the Alaska National Guard’s Counterdrug Advisory Council has recently received national recognition for their work using these su...

We talk with Dr. Sarah Spencer and Annette Hubbard of the Ninilchik Traditional Council to discuss how connecting social services like Child Protective Services, local food banks, police and sheriff departments with each other can lead to warm handoffs and improved outcomes for those struggling with substance use disorder. Learn how syringe access programs, open and honest conversations about recovery and medication-assisted treatm...

We talk with Tammera Nauts from the Montana Primary Care Association about how Montana is one of only three states to implement a contingency management program for stimulant use disorder. Called Treatment of Users of Stimulants, or TRUST, this revolutionary program provides a scaling reward to those seeking treatment for the use of stimulants like methamphetamines. 

Those who wish to learn more about or implement this program withi...

We talk with Alaska itinerant public health nurses Denise Damewood and Claire Geldhof about Project Gabe, an effort stemmed in saving lives from opioid abuse and overdoses through the right tools, education and partnerships. Learn how any community can take and adapt Project Gabe to tackle stigma around substance use disorder, educate communities about naloxone and other life-saving tactics and work together to prevent opioid overd...

We talk with Dr. Robert Sise and Dr. Ty Reidenbaugh, co-founders of nonprofit 406 Recovery, as well as Tammera Nauts from the Montana Primary Care Association about the use of telehealth services to increase access to substance use disorder (SUD) treatment and mental health services. With changes to telehealth prescribing practices approaching next year, we learn how 406 Recovery is meeting patients where they are in their recovery...

We talk with community and criminal justice advocate, human trafficking survivor and Blackfeet Tribal member Lea Wetzel, who shares her experiences in making her voice heard. Through her personal and professional paths, Lea now wears many hats, supporting Montana’s drop-in centers that support people struggling with mental illness, substance use and/or homelessness; promoting “culture is prevention” among minority groups and more. ...

We talk with staff from St. James Healthcare, an acute-care hospital in southwest Montana, and Tammera Nauts from the Montana Primary Care Association about how the emergency department at St. James approaches patients experiencing opiate addiction or overdose. Part of a statewide program to better respond to and treat opioid use disorder (OUD), learn how St. James is helping lead the way in reducing the stigma around OUD in rural ...