Fighting the battle on opioid use disorder nationwide
MISSION
Regional hospital systems, through the Medication Assisted Treatment and Emergency Referrals (MATTERS) network are partnering with community-based substance use treatment programs to reduce inappropriate controlled substance prescribing, increase access to medication assisted treatment (MAT), and provide rapid access to substance use treatment programs.
VISION
MAP LEGEND:
Blue – Preliminary Involvement
Black – Presentation
VALUES
Joshua Lynch, DO, EMT-P, FACEP
Founder and Medical Director
Dr. Lynch is an emergency physician and EMS medical director from Buffalo, NY. He is a senior physician with UB|MD Emergency Medicine and holds faculty appointments at the University at Buffalo and Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine. Dr. Lynch has spent over a decade in EMS leadership and several years as the system medical director at Mercy Flight of WNY (aeromedical and critical care transport).
Dr. Lynch is the creator of Buffalo MATTERS and the MATTERS Network. These programs work to provide efficient buprenorphine training to emergency physicians and create linkages between the hospital and substance use treatment programs. He serves as a technical advisor for the Erie County and New York State Departments of Health. He and his team are proud to have received nearly $500,000 in grant funding to support the MATTERS programs and widely expand access to high-quality addictions care.
Brian Clemency, DO, MBA, FACEP, FAEMS
Director of Research and External Funding
Dr. Clemency has been involved in emergency care for nearly 20 years, beginning his career as a firefighter and emergency medical technician. Dr. Clemency completed both medical school and an MBA in health care administration in 4 years, before coming to Buffalo to continue his medical education. He is double boarded in Emergency Medicine and Emergency Medical Services. Dr. Clemency has become a local, regional and national leader in prehospital care, education and research. Dr. Clemency has authored over 30 peer reviewed publications, including 3 on the topic of opioid overdose. Dr. Clemency is the Research Director and oversees external funding.
Johanna Innes, MD
Director of Medical Specialty Outreach
Originally from Ottawa, Ontario, Dr. Innes completed her undergraduate training there at Carleton University. She received her Doctor of Medicine at the University of South Carolina School of Medicine and went on to complete her residency in emergency medicine at Palmetto Health Richland hospital, also in Columbia. After residency she completed her EMS fellowship at the University at Buffalo. Dr. Innes is board certified in emergency medicine and emergency medical services and works as an attending physician in the emergency department at Erie County Medical Center. She is an assistant clinical professor of Emergency Medicine with the University at Buffalo and serves as an associate medical director for AMR WNY, medical director of Eden EMS and Rescue, Six Flags Darien Lakes theme park, and the Erie County SMART team. Dr. Innes serves as the Director of Medical Specialty Outreach for the MATTERS Network.
“Everywhere we look we are missing opportunities to save lives” @YngvildOlsen on need for smart comprehensive investments in addiction, systems of care+ social services @ House Oversight Committee Mtg on Inadequate Federal Approach to Opioid Treatment and the Need to Expand Care
If seeking help for opioid abuse disorder, please refer to the “HOW TO GET HELP” section at the bottom of this page.
