National Rural Health Day

Did You Know? The Maryland Department of Health is offering eligible providers in select rural regions of Maryland a $1,000 incentive for completing a free buprenorphine waiver training. Save the date for the next MACS waiver training on February 8. Learn more >>>

 Sadie Liller is a prevention coordinator with the Garrett County Health Department. From educating pharmacy staff about the PDMP to connecting people with substance use resources, Sadie goes above and beyond for her community.

The Eastern Shore Mobile Care Collaborative (ESMCC) at Caroline County Health Department is a Mobile Treatment Unit that aims to increase access to life-saving treatment for opioid use disorders in underserved rural communities. Learn more >>>

Unlike an urban environment, the physical distance between health services and treatment facilities, coupled with the scarcity of providers, offers a unique challenge in the delivery of health care services in rural areas. St. Mary’s County is a designated health professional shortage area for both primary care and behavioral health services and is home to a complex variety of residents, including farmers, Amish communities, Naval families, and more. With a good understanding of the diverse cultures and needs of the community, the Behavioral Health Division of the St. Mary’s County Health Department (SMCHD) is meeting those challenges.

Through our Academic Detailing program, we are able to maintain professional relationships and facilitate educational opportunities for behavioral health and medical providers in the community. We are finding creative ways to engage our community by meeting people where they are.  SMCHD has expanded operations to include a satellite office for Harm Reduction Services and two School-Based Health Centers, which improve access to care for our community and deliver critical services in health professional shortage areas. Drive through and virtual services are also available to residents, including the Overdose Response Program, harm reduction services, and Medication-Assisted Treatment.

Additionally, our Behavioral Health Hub (HUB) location is currently under construction to open next year in the high need area of Lexington Park. This site will provide crisis stabilization services, a co-responder program, harm reduction and syringe services, and a day reporting center/law enforcement diversion program for our community. It also will serve as a needed primary care access point by engaging community partners and connecting residents to key services addressing equity and the social determinants of health. We are also one of the first in the nation to be rolling out ADA compliant telehealth booths for virtual appointments. The St. Mary’s County Health Department is committed to serving all of the public health needs in the county, no matter how remote, we will reach out to all areas of our community.

- Christopher Shea, MA, CRAT, CAC-AD, LCC
Prevention Coordinator, St. Mary's County Health Department

Happy National Rural Health Day! MACS celebrates the health of rural communities and supports rural prescribers in providing services for substance use and pain management. Thank you to all the programs working hard towards this movement!

 There is a shortage of maternity care and substance use treatment providers for pregnant and postpartum patients with opioid use disorder covered by Medicaid, especially in rural areas. MACS for MOMs is here to support providers caring for pregnant and postpartum patients with substance use disorders. Learn more >>>

#MACSpotlight and #FlashbackFriday: MACS Consultant and Principle Investigator, Eric Weintraub, MD, was named 2019 NOSORH Community Star for his telemedicine work to help bring treatment for opioid disorders to rural parts of Maryland. Learn more >>>