Rosecrance contributes to addiction medicine workforce growth through learning opportunities

To enhance addiction medicine services in northern Illinois, Rosecrance is excited to participate in an Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) addiction medicine fellowship at the University of Illinois College of Medicine Rockford.

This one-year program is designed to train a family medicine physician to become a skilled addiction medicine specialist, providing compassionate and equitable care to all communities.

“We are very excited to collaborate in the development of a new addiction medicine fellowship offered through UIC’s family medicine program,” said Dr. Raymond Garcia, Chief Medical Officer of Rosecrance Behavioral Health.

The purpose of the fellowship is to expose physicians to addiction treatment through various clinical settings, giving them the clinical experience needed to provide comprehensive addiction treatment within a complex healthcare system.

Most importantly, this program teaches physicians to recognize the symptoms of mental health and substance use disorders.

During their rotation at Rosecrance, fellows will have the opportunity to be part of clients’ treatment teams, contributing to decisions about their care. Additionally, they will be able to attend therapeutic sessions, which are a crucial aspect of treating substance use disorders, Dr. Garcia said.

Addiction medicine is a growing specialization that addresses an increasing issue in communities across the country. This fellowship is just one of the opportunities Rosecrance offers for physicians and medical students interested in psychiatry.

It is also an important step toward helping the one in five Americans who require treatment for substance use disorders.

“It encourages physicians to identify substance use disorders in their patients and either treat them or refer them to someone who can,” Dr. Garcia said.

Regardless of whether medical students or physicians choose to learn with Rosecrance, Dr. Garcia encourages them to advocate for their patients by doing one crucial thing:

“Remove as many barriers to care as possible. This population faces numerous obstacles in accessing healthcare. When advocating for clients, it’s essential to eliminate barriers not only in how they seek assistance but also in other areas, such as entering therapy or accessing specific medications. This vulnerable population has difficulty obtaining care, so any assistance a provider can offer is extremely important.”