Sawtooth Mountain Clinic announces plan to combat opioid addiction in Cook County

Sawtooth Mountain Clinic announced details today of a medication-assisted treatment program which helps patients struggling with opioid use disorder. Opioid abuse has been called a national health emergency by the Centers for Disease Control with an average of 130 Americans dying each day from opioid overdoses.

“The community should credit Sawtooth Mountain Clinic doctors Kurt Farchmin and Catherine Hansen for bringing this innovative program to Cook County so patients do not have to seek assistance miles away for the benefit of this treatment.  It is one of the latest programs in our legacy of health care innovations brought to our home town,” said Rita Plourde, outgoing CEO of Sawtooth Mountain Clinic. Plourde announced her retirement earlier this year after 38 years of service.

According to the Food and Drug Administration, medication-assisted treatment (MAT) is the use of medications in combination with counseling and behavioral therapies, which is effective in the treatment of opioid use disorders and can help some people to sustain recovery.  The medication of choice at Sawtooth Mountain Clinic is buprenorphine, a non-addictive opioid that treats withdrawal symptoms and also blocks cravings long-term. Dr. Catherine Hansen had experience with an MAT program during her residency and helped guide the process of setting the program at SMC.  This winter Dr. Farchmin was also trained in buprenorphine therapy and the clinic started offering appointments in March.

“I have been the main RN working with the MAT program and its development and have seen several success stories within the program. It is some of the most gratifying work we do in the clinic,” said newly appointed CEO Katherine Surbaugh.

WTIP is scheduling interviews with staff from Sawtooth Mountain Clinic on this topic. The interviews will air in the month of August.