two tangential universes: therapeutic and pathologic
In the therapeutic universe suffering is relieved, lives are enhanced, and hope is restored. Central to this universe are the pain care needs of 100 million suffering Americans.
In the pathologic universe suffering is unleashed, lives are enslaved, and hope is shattered. Ruler of this realm is drug abuse – now killing even more Americans than automobile accidents.
Common to both universes is the prescriber – and the tangent point is OPIOID.
OPIOID means Optimal Prescribing Is Our Inherent Duty – a seminar conceived by physicians, approved by the medical board, and produced by the Greater Louisville Medical Society in association with the University of Louisville – February 7, 8 & 9.
American Medical Association Board Chair (and Kentuckian) Steven J. Stack, MD says:
Physician education on responsible opioid prescribing is a critical element in addressing the epidemic of prescription drug abuse.
Todd Cook, MD, Chief Medical Officer of St. Elizabeth Physicians (Northern Kentucky) says:
This is one of the times when sending a responsible party proactively may provide a great return on the investment for all of us.
Participants in this two and a half day course will gain insight on how to: (a) best prescribe controlled substances for chronic pain, (b) minimize the risks of drug abuse, and (c) safeguard their communities. These goals are achieved through lectures, coaching sessions, and face-to-face interaction with individuals battling addiction.
Louisville is a point shared by two states (Kentucky & Indiana) that, like many other states, have recently enacted laws to address prescription drug abuse. When such well-meaning laws give legitimate prescribers the chills, a dose of OPIOID is the right prescription.
Finally, an OPIOID epidemic we can all get behind.
Please make it contagious. Pass along this info, refer someone, or even better – sign up yourself.
Register by
Email: physician.education@glms.org
Or call: 502-736-6354
Or visit online at: https://www.glms.org/Home.aspx (and click on the “OPIOID” tab).
Boldly go where no prescriber has gone before.
Take back your universe.
OPIOID
James Patrick Murphy, MD, MMM is President of the Greater Louisville Medical Society.
Confluential Truth 
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact:
January 17, 2014 Bert Guinn, 502-736-6334 or 502-291-8989
GLMS Associate Executive Director
bert.guinn@glms.org
New Physician Course to Curb Prescription Drug Abuse,
First of its Kind in Kentucky
LOUISVILLE (January 17, 2014) – The Greater Louisville Medical Society is pleased to announce a three day intensive course for physicians aimed at improving skills in controlled substance prescribing and decreasing prescription drug abuse in Kentucky and surrounding states. The course, named OPIOID (Optimal Prescribing is Our Inherent Duty), was developed by GLMS’s in-house Medical Society Professional Services and GLMS President and addiction specialist, James Patrick Murphy, MD, MMM, as a service to the community. The course is now officially accredited for Continuing Medical Education (CME) by the University of Louisville and approved for remedial training by the Kentucky Board of Medical Licensure.
Physicians will be led through a critical self-assessment in order to provide the best possible care. Leading clinical experts from the University of Louisville and the University of Kentucky will teach pain and addiction, behavioral psychology, clinical forensics, as well as current legal and regulatory environments. The combination of didactics, experiential learning, role-playing by clients from The Healing Place, and interactive group dynamics make this course unique. More than just a skill set, this course will provide a framework with which physicians can build confidence in overcoming tactics used by patients seeking narcotics inappropriately and help to eliminate stress when optimal care of a patient requires a controlled substance.
Designed to provide 18-hours of Continuing Medical Education, OPIOID was recently approved by the Kentucky Board of Medical Licensure for physicians identified by the board as being in need of remedial training. Prior to this course, Kentucky physicians were referred to courses outside the state, such as at Vanderbilt. Teaching this course in Kentucky keeps physicians from having to travel outside state boundaries and improves physician education in the region.
Dr. Murphy said, “Completion of this course not only makes the physician a better caregiver, but also plugs the doctor into a network of caring Kentucky providers – part of a movement, part of the solution.”
OPIOID is also listed on the Federation of State Medical Board’s website as a physician assessment and remedial education program. For more information about OPIOID, contact GLMS at 502-736-6350 or visit glms.org. The first class is scheduled for February 7 – 9, at GLMS, 101 W. Chestnut St., Louisville, KY 40202.
Dr. Murphy is available for media interviews and appearances. To schedule, contact Bert Guinn at 502-736-6334 or bert.guinn@glms.org.
*GLMS is a professional organization comprised of 3,800 physicians and medical students who advocate for the health and well-being of the community and strive to protect the patient-physician relationship. More than 80 percent of practicing physicians in Louisville are GLMS members.
I understand your point of view, but what are patients supposed to do if one cannot take NSAIDs because of allergic reactions and/or kidney problems? What else is out there to treat extreme pain from injuries?
Hi Paula,
I don’t think this program is designed to “take” opioids away from true chronic pain suffers but to build a better guideline on prescribing them. Also to help calm the fear most physicians have in prescribing with the new laws that have been implemented. Dr. Murphy is a true patient advocate that serves with care and compassion to relieve the pain of suffers with the use of opioids as well as other technology that is available today. I completely understand your fears as I live in chronic pain just as you. I think if you go to his website jamespmurphymd.com you willgain a greater insight to Dr. Murphy and his dedication to both his patients and the drug abuse epidemic. He has a true concern for controlling the pain of his patients as well as keeping these drugs out of the hands of abusers/sellers/illegal buyers. Please take the time to go to his website and read on this true advocate for the people and I truly believe your fears will be calmed. I have entrusted my care to him for the last 3 yrs. And I can say nothing but wonderful things about this man and his fight for a happy median for all.
Hoping this will give you peace of mind and call your fears!
Best wishes
Melissa B.
Outstanding team of dedicated “Opioid Heroes”-
Hi Great Job my friend.
just like I predicted long time back I want to see you as our Governor.
I would like to join your OPIOD and support the cause.
DrNadar@gmail.com
From an email sent to me by Burness Communications on January 31, 2014:
Dear Mayday Fellows and Advisory Committee,
On February 7-9th, Pat Murphy (’06), president of the Greater Louisville Medical Center, has organized a seminar entitled “Optimal Prescribing Is Our Inherent Duty” (OPIOID) aimed at physicians to gain better insight and be empowered to prescribe opioids safely. You can also follow him on Twitter at https://twitter.com/jamespmurphymd.
OPIOID HEROES
Spotlight on Faculty for “Optimal Prescribing Is Our Inherent Duty”
J. Boswell Tabler, M.D. (Course Director)
Dr. Boswell Tabler was born and raised in St. Matthews, KY and is a graduate of Trinity High School. He earned his undergraduate degree from University of Kentucky and his medical degree from University of Louisville. Dr. Tabler is certified by the American Board of Neurology and Psychiatry and has been in practice since 1989. His professional interests include addiction, traumatic brain injury, and geriatric psychiatry, and he has practiced in both in-patient and outpatient settings, holding numerous department directorships. He was elected by his peers to serve on the Judicial Council of the Greater Louisville Medical Society and was selected to represent GLMS on the Board of Directors of The Healing Place.
J. Boswell Tabler, MD
http://www.tablerclinical.com
OPIOID HEROES
Spotlight on Faculty for “Optimal Prescribing Is Our Inherent Duty”
Mark V. Boswell, MD, PhD, MBA
Dr. Mark V. Boswell has a long history of public service as an educator, author, administrator, and society leader. Currently he serves as the Chair of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine at the University of Louisville, and still finds time to participate in
activities important to his colleagues and community.
Dr. Boswell is well versed in virtually all aspects of health care delivery.
His profound expertise in pain management and the proper use of prescription
Medications.
Dr. Mark Boswell, University of Louisville
https://louisville.edu/sphis/medschool/dean/news/uofl-names-dr.-mark-boswell-to-head-anesthesiology
OPIOID HEROES
Spotlight on Faculty for “Optimal Prescribing Is Our Inherent Duty”
Mary Helen Davis, MD
Mary Helen Davis, MD, works in program development at the Norton Cancer Institute. Prior to assuming this role, she served as their director of Behavioral Oncology. She graduated from the University of Louisville School of Medicine, where she also completed her residency training in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences. She then completed an administrative psychiatry fellowship at Harvard University in Cambridge, Mass. She is board certified in psychiatry, neurology, psychosomatic medicine and hospice and palliative medicine.
Dr. Davis was selected to chair the Kentucky Governor’s Advisory Board on Prescription Drug Abuse, and she previously served on the Kentucky Board of Medical Licensure.
Dr. Mary Helen Davis, Norton Healthcare
http://www.nortonhealthcare.com/davis
OPIOID HEROES
Spotlight on Faculty for “Optimal Prescribing Is Our Inherent Duty”
David R. Hopkins
David R. Hopkins has been a major contributor to Kentucky’s (and our nation’s) efforts in controlling prescription drug abuse. For the past eight years he has served as the Program Manager for KASPER (Kentucky All Schedule Prescription Electronic Reporting) – Kentucky’s nationally acclaimed prescription monitoring system. Among his pioneering contributions are development of KASPER, educational programs, and support of law enforcement. Mr. Hopkins is a member of the National Association of Drug Diversion Investigators, the National Association of State Controlled Substances Authorities, and is Kentucky’s representative to the Alliance of States with Prescription Monitoring Programs.
OPIOID HEROES
Spotlight on Faculty for “Optimal Prescribing Is Our Inherent Duty”
Kenneth L. Kirsh, PhD.
Dr. Kenneth L. Kirsh is a Clinical Research Educator and Research Scientist for the Millennium Research Institute. He most recently was the Director of Behavioral Medicine and Research at the Pain Treatment Center of the Bluegrass in Lexington, KY. He was formerly an assistant professor of pharmacy and the assistant director for symptom management and palliative care at The Markey Cancer Center in Lexington.
Dr. Kirsh has given national and international invited lectures and is considered to be one of the world’s foremost authorities on pain and addiction. An author of more than 100 peer-reviewed and invited articles, Dr. Kirsh also has authored numerous book chapters, abstracts, and posters. He is a reviewer for more than twenty journals and is a current member of the American Academy of Pain Management’s Policy and Advisory Committee.
Kenneth L. Kirsh, Ph.D., Millennium Research Institute
http://www.millenniumresearchinstitute.org/team/kenneth-l-kirsh-phd
OPIOID HEROES
Spotlight on Faculty for “Optimal Prescribing Is Our Inherent Duty”
James Patrick Murphy, MD, MMM (Course Director)
James Patrick Murphy, MD, MMM attended the University of Louisville School of Medicine. His internship was at the San Diego Naval Hospital in the Department of Psychiatry, after which he completed Aerospace Medicine training in Pensacola, Florida. Dr. Murphy served as a Naval Flight Surgeon with Carrier Air Wing Eleven onboard the aircraft carrier U.S.S. Enterprise until returning to Louisville in 1989 for residency training in Anesthesiology. He practiced in Elizabethtown, Kentucky, before moving to Rochester, Minnesota, in 1997 for a Pain Management fellowship at the Mayo Clinic, returning again to his hometown in 1998 to practice Pain Management.
Dr. Murphy is President of the Greater Louisville Medical Society (2013-2014), Medical Director of Murphy Pain Center, Assistant Clinical Professor at the University of Louisville School of Medicine, and is on the board of the International Association for Pain and Chemical Dependency.
James Patrick Murphy, MD, MMM
https://jamespmurphymd.com/about
OPIOID HEROES
Spotlight on Faculty for “Optimal Prescribing Is Our Inherent Duty”
Patrick Myers PT, DPT, MS, OCS, COMT
Dr. Patrick Myers is an alumnus of the University of Kentucky’s graduate program in physical therapy. He received a Masters degree in Exercise Physiology from the University of Louisville, followed by a Doctorate in Physical Therapy from the EIM Institute of Physical Therapy. Dr. Myers also has earned the distinctions of Orthopedic Specialist Certification and Certified Orthopedic Manual Therapist. He is the owner of Apex Physical Therapy group in Louisville, KY.
Dr. Patrick Myers, Apex Physical Therapy
http://apexptky.com/staff
OPIOID HEROES
Spotlight on Faculty for “Optimal Prescribing Is Our Inherent Duty”
Elizabeth Ruoff, Detective, Louisville Metro Police Department
Detective Elizabeth “Beth” Ruoff is an eight year member of the Louisville Metro Police Department and a Certified Law Enforcement Instructor through the Kentucky Law Enforcement Council. In 2008, she was selected as a member of the Violent Crime Reduction Task Force – assigned to Louisville’s most violent sectors. Shortly thereafter, she became a Detective focusing on narcotics, prostitution and violent crime. In 2010 Detective Ruoff transitioned to the Narcotics Division – investigating citywide narcotics trafficking organizations – and she is currently assigned to the division’s Prescription Diversion Unit.
Detective Ruoff also holds a Master’s of Science in Exercise Physiology from the University of Louisville where she was a graduate assistant in Strength and Conditioning for Olympic Sports.
OPIOID HEROES
Spotlight on Faculty for “Optimal Prescribing Is Our Inherent Duty”
Paul A. Sloan, MD
Dr. Paul A. Sloan is Professor of Anesthesiology and Oncology at the University of Kentucky, and Vice Chair for Research with the Department of Anesthesiology.
He has focused on the management of cancer and chronic pain (80 papers) throughout his career, with a particular interest in opioid pharmacology and spinal analgesics. His research has focused on the treatment of chronic and cancer pain, including opioids and adjuvant analgesics.
Dr. Sloan is Editor-in-Chief for the Journal of Opioid Management, editor with the Journal of Palliative Care and the Journal of Pain & Symptom Management. He is Program Director for the Pain Medicine Fellowship at the University of Kentucky. Dr. Sloan is board certified in Anesthesiology, Pain Medicine, and Palliative Medicine.
Dr. Paul A. Sloan, University of Kentucky
http://ukhealthcare.uky.edu/Physicians/Physicianprofile.aspx?id=7432
OPIOID HEROES
Spotlight on Faculty for “Optimal Prescribing Is Our Inherent Duty”
Heather Marie Tluczek, DO
Dr. Heather Tluczek completed a Pain Fellowship at the Cleveland Clinic and is board-certified in Pain Management and Anesthesiology. She is also an accomplished thespian. A native of Louisville, Dr. Tluczek is a graduate of the Louisville’s Youth Performing Arts School and has a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Musical Theatre (Summa Cum Laude) from Stephens College in Columbia, Missouri. She is currently in private practice, Anesthesiology/Pain, in Louisville.
OPIOID HEROES
Spotlight on Faculty for “Optimal Prescribing Is Our Inherent Duty”
The Healing Place
The Healing Place was founded by members of the Greater Louisville Medical Society in 1989 and has become a national model for helping men and women gain freedom from homelessness, alcoholism and addiction. Its success rate is five times the national average and is now being replicated throughout the United States.
The Healing Place is both a homeless shelter and a long-term recovery program, providing food, clothing, and shelter at no cost to men and women in need. After detoxification from drugs or alcohol, clients are orientated to The Healing Place’s unique program – the foundation of which is peer mentoring by men and women who have successfully completed the program. Mentors exemplify The Healing Place philosophy that the best solution is when one addict reaches back to help another along the journey to recovery.
OPIOID is grateful to The Healing Place for hosting day one of our seminar, and deeply appreciates the peer mentors who have volunteered to interact with OPIOID participants in an evocative experiential learning environment.
The Healing Place
1503 South 15th Street
Louisville, KY 40210
(502) 568-6680
http://www.thehealingplace.org
OPIOID HEROES
Spotlight on Faculty for “Optimal Prescribing Is Our Inherent Duty”
The Greater Louisville Medical Society
The Greater Louisville Medical Society is a non-profit organization that was established in 1892 to promote the science, art and profession of medicine, protect the patient-physician relationship and advocate for the health and well-being of the community. GLMS has more than 3,800 members – larger than many state medical societies. GLMS has more than 30 active committees and boards that consist of volunteer physicians who come together to solve health problems and look for new opportunities in the community. GLMS publishes a popular physician roster, a monthly magazine (Louisville Medicine), a newsletter, public health update (Vital Signs), an interactive website, and a smartphone app. GLMS is a birthing ground for medical charities (e.g. The Healing Place, Supplies Over Seas), advocates on behalf of healthcare initiatives, and serves as watchdogs over insurance carriers.
Throughout an entire career in medicine, physicians can use the GLMS as a mechanism for creating positive change in their practices, hospitals and community.
The Greater Louisville Medical Society
https://www.glms.org/Home.aspx
I sincerely thank you for all you do! You are my hero, my advocate, my entrusted care provider. I believe that you truly have the best interest of your patients at heart and wish there were many more like you! Thank you for taking the time to educate so many on the epidemic but yet also calming their fears on prescribing done right. You are truly one of a chosen few that are willing to stand up for the quality of life, of love and of family for the chronic pain sufferers that you treat!
A man of true honor, valor and dedication!
Hopefully with your involvement some true milestones can be attained.
Because of you I am able to keep going in my battle with RSD. You are my hero!
Warmest thoughts,
Melissa B.