In the mid 1990s, the country’s pendulum of prescribing practices dramatically swung: doctors who at one time were prosecuted for overprescribing opiates to patients were now facing mounting pressure to write scripts for chronic, non-cancer pain. Since then, both the dosage and use of therapeutic opiates has skyrocketed, leading to widespread abuse—and what is now considered the worst drug crisis in American history. City Club’s September forum will examine the causes and impacts of this crisis, as well as our community’s approach to tackling an epidemic that not only kills, but also has major social and economic implications.
Panelists:
Jessica LeBlanc, MD: board-certified family practice physician who cares for adults and children at Mosaic Medical. Her philosophy incorporates holistic care for the entire family. She has significant experience in addiction medicine, chronic disease management, nutrition and maternal-child medicine, including breastfeeding education and postpartum health. Dr. LeBlanc completed undergraduate studies at Northern Arizona University with a degree in anthropology followed by a Master’s in Public Health from University of Arizona. She went on to complete medical school at the University of Arizona College of Medicine and her residency at Swedish Medical Center in Seattle, Wash.
Bend Police Chief Jim Porter: began his law enforcement career in 1983, serving with the Crook County Sheriff’s Department and the Brookings Police Department. He was hired with the Bend Police Department in 1991. He has served as captain for the Investigative Division, Support Services and the Training Division. In April 2014, he was promoted to chief of police for the City of Bend Police Department. Chief Porter has been awarded the United States Air Force Achievement Medal, the Medal of Valor from Oregon Police Officers Association, the Bend Police Department Unity Citation Award and the Chief of Police Commendation Award.
Kimberly Swanson, Ph.D.: a licensed psychologist working full time as the Director of Behavioral Health at Mosaic Medical. Dr. Swanson has more than 20 years combined experience in medicine including more than a decade of clinical research and direct clinical experience in integrated health care settings. She has completed multiple publications and presentations. Dr. Swanson is a member of the American Psychological Association and concomitantly serves on the Provider Engagement Panel for the Central Oregon Health Council. She was appointed by Governor John Kitzhaber to the Prescription Drug Abuse Academy in 2011. Dr. Swanson presently chairs the regional Pain Standards Task Force which boasts 28 regional interdisciplinary members that was formed to address the opioid epidemic in Central Oregon. Dr. Swanson was awarded the 2016 Deschutes County Health Hero award for her work chairing the Pain Standards Task Force.
Moderator:
Markian Hawryluk: health reporter for The Bulletin. He has previously written for The Houston Chronicle, American Medical News and a number of other health policy publications. He is currently reporting a series of stories on the health response to the opioid epidemic as part of a yearlong fellowship through the Association for Health Care Journalists and The Commonwealth Fund.
