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MATTERS CMO on Buffalo Brief

By November 7, 2025November 18th, 2025No Comments

Thank you to Kelsey Anderson and Dave Greber of WIVB for having our Chief Medical Officer join the Buffalo Brief! Click here to learn more about our program.

Dr. Joshua Lynch, Chief Medical Officer and founder of MATTERS, was recently featured on the News 4 Buffalo Brief to discuss the program’s rapid expansion and continued commitment to providing low-barrier, patient-centered care for individuals with substance use disorder. The MATTERS program was created in 2016 as a way to address rising opioid overdose deaths in Erie County, New York, by linking people to evidence-based treatment and recovery resources.

Dr. Lynch was recently included in the Johns Hopkins Innovations for Substance Use Disorders 2025 cohort, a national initiative that brings together leaders driving innovative responses to the overdose crisis. This recognition provides MATTERS with opportunities for deeper collaboration, adoption of best practices, and increased visibility for its model.

When asked about I4SUD program, Dr. Lynch stated, “This is an incredible honor to be included in the cohort…It puts you in the circle of faculty of the Carey School of Business at Johns Hopkins, but also experts in the field of intellectual protection to walk you through patents, copyrighting, and trademarking.” He continued to share that, at the end of this cohort, participants will pitch an innovation for their program for an opportunity to win up to $10,000 for expansion.

During the interview, Dave Greber of WIVB asks Dr. Lynch if he feels that the MATTERS program has helped contribute to the recent decline in overdose deaths across Erie County and New York State. Dr. Lynch replies, “That’s certainly the goal. We continue to remain nimble so that, as the opioid epidemic evolves and other substances come and go, we’re ready to be able to help people get linkage and get resources.”

The MATTERS initiative has recently been recognized as a strategic priority leading real-world impacts by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and New York State Governor Kathy Hochul highlighted the program as a contributor to the decline in overdose deaths across the state.

With its evidence-based approach, growing network, and national recognition, MATTERS continues to serve as a model for innovative, patient-centered care in addressing substance use disorders. As the program expands and explores new opportunities through initiatives like the Johns Hopkins cohort, Dr. Lynch and the MATTERS team remain focused on their mission: connecting people to timely treatment and recovery resources, reducing barriers to care, and ultimately saving lives.

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