Discovery to Recovery Symposium

Discovery to Recovery Symposium on Substance Use Disorder. November 15, 2024 at Montgomery Bank Conference & Training Center

Join us for this free event featuring Substance Use Disorder-related presentations and a diverse panel featuring representatives from Cape Girardeau Police Department, Gibson Recovery Center, Saint Francis Healthcare and Mercy Southeast.

Event Highlights

  • Lived Experience: A moving presentation from an individual sharing their personal journey with substance use disorder.
  • Understanding Addiction: Explore the science behind addiction and how it impacts the brain and body.
  • Psychological and Physiological Changes: Learn about the changes that occur in individuals with substance use disorder.
  • Development of Dependency: Insights into how dependency develops and affects individuals, with a focus on genetics and biomarkers.
  • Brain Recovery: Discover how the brain can recover and the role of treatment in this process.
  • Community Collaboration: Discuss how communities can come together to support and treat individuals with substance use disorder.

Event Agenda

8 – 8:30 am

Registration and Breakfast


8:30 – 8:45 am

Opening Remarks

  • Welcome attendees
  • Introduction to the event theme and purpose
  • Speaker: Estrella Carmona, Health Equity and Community Services Coordinator

8:45 – 9:15 am

Lived Experience

  • Testimonial from an individual with personal experience relevant to substance use disorder
  • Speaker: Bretton Stevens, Administrator of New Visions medical detox and stabilization, Certified Peer Support

9:15 – 9:45 am

Speaker 1

  • Presentation on Psychological and Physiological Changes: Learn about the changes that occur in individuals with substance use disorder
  • Development of Dependency: Insights into how dependency develops and affects individuals, with a focus on genetics and biomarkers
  • Speaker: Emilie Beltzer, PhD, Professor at Southeast Missouri State University, Department of Psychology and Counseling

9:45 – 10:30 am

Panel Discussion

  • Discussion on the current state of the community: Panelists will share what they see in their day-to-day work related to substance use disorder (SUD).
  • Best practices: Panelists will share impactful methods and strategies.
  • Stories of interactions: They will share stories from their interactions with people affected by SUD, highlighting both challenges and successes.
  • Audience Q&A session. Panelists:
    • Nik Barna, LCSW, MSW, Director of Behavioral Health Outpatient Services, Gibson Recovery Center
    • Dr. Shannon Cubria Farris, Cape Girardeau Police Department, Co-Responder Unit, PsyD
    • Dr. Palepu, Psychiatrist in Behavioral Health, Chief Medical Officer at Southeast Behavioral Hospital
    • Dr. Tobey Controlled Substance Management, Saint Francis Healthcare System

10:30 – 10:45 am

Break


10:45 – 11:45 am

Keynote Speaker

  • Understanding Addiction: Explore the science behind addiction and how it impacts the brain and body
  • Brain Recovery: Discover how the brain can recover and the role of treatment in this process
  • Keynote Speaker: Angeline Stanislaus, MD, Chief Medical Director, Missouri Department of Mental Health

11:45 am – Noon

Closing Remarks

  • Community Collaboration: Discuss how communities can come together to support and treat individuals with substance use disorder

Register for the Symposium