Bizzell CEO Appointed to COPE’s Governing Body

The Coalition on Physician Education in Substance Use Disorders’ (COPE) Executive Committee recently announced the appointment of Anton C. Bizzell, M.D., CEO of The Bizzell Group (Bizzell), to COPE’s governing body.  The designation adds to Dr. Bizzell’s rich history in the field of health education as he has served as a Medical Officer with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), as well as in the Office of Translational Research and Education at the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), providing support for research and educational projects addressing physician and other allied health professions’ continuing education.

COPE was formed in 2010 to sustain and expand on the accomplishments of a series of White House Conferences on Medical Education in Substance Abuse, sponsored in 2003, 2006, and 2009 by the Office of National Drug Control Policy in the Executive Office of the President.  The organization’s overarching goal is to improve the education of medical students in the areas of alcohol, tobacco and other drug use disorders – ranging from problematic or risky use to addiction.  Another goal is to help medical students receive appropriate training to develop the skills they need to prevent, screen for, diagnose and manage substance use disorders in their patients, regardless of the location or specialty in which they ultimately practice.

As a member of COPE’s governing body Dr. Bizzell will have a hand in supporting the organization’s current activities including administration of medical school surveys and sponsorship of regional Medical Education Summits which are designed to identify specific needs and respond to opportunities for enhancing teaching about substance use disorders in the undergraduate years.  COPE also produces an e-newsletter, which is distributed to more than 3,000 readers, and maintains a website that offer news and resources to medical educators.

To learn more about COPE visit: www.cope-assn.org.

Bizzell CEO Named Opening Speaker at Annual REMBA Conference for Trauma and Addictions

The Department of Human Development and Services at North Carolina A&T State University will hold its 8th Annual Rehabilitation of Racial and Ethnic Minorities with Behavioral Addictions (REMBA) conference.  The two-day conference will convene on Thursday – Friday, April 10th and 11th at the Joseph S. Koury Convention Center in Greensboro, North Carolina.  Dr. Bizzell will serve as the opening speaker on Friday, April 11th from 9 am – 10 am to discuss practices related to treatment of behavioral addiction and trauma.

The conference, entitled Building a Network of Recovery in Communities, will address the growing needs of people of color who have been affected by trauma and addictions – an area of expertise for Dr. Bizzell.  The goal is to share data focused on the unique needs of people of color with behavioral and/or process addictions, including alcohol and drug abuse, eating disorders, sexual addictions and criminal offense.

Yearly, approximately 200 attendees participate – including Rehabilitation Counselors, Agency Counselors, Human Service Personnel, Human Resource Professionals, Administrators and Students interested in learning more about the topics at hand.