Dr. Janice Nevin Recognized for Leadership in Addressing Substance Use Disorder
Delaware nonprofit atTAcK addiction honored ChristianaCare for supporting individuals living with and recovering from substance use disorders
ChristianaCare is committed to delivering effective treatment services and compassionate support to our neighbors struggling with substance use disorders.
For her leadership in the fight against substance use disorder and the impact that ChristianaCare is making across the communities it serves, the Delaware nonprofit atTAcK addiction honored ChristianaCare President & CEO Janice Nevin, M.D., MPH, with a Medal of Honor award at its Be a Hero celebration in October.
“At ChristianaCare, we say our mission is simple but profound: we take care of people – all people,” Nevin said at the celebration.
She highlighted the dedication and compassion of ChristianaCare’s “extraordinary” caregivers, who feel called to serve our neighbors, she said, by meeting them where they are with love and excellence, not judgment.
Substance abuse is a significant issue in Delaware. In 2022, the state had the nation’s fourth-highest overdose rate, with approximately one overdose death per 1,800 residents, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
If you need help recovering from substance use, click here or call 302-320-9650.
The organization atTAcK addiction was founded in 2013 in memory of Tyler Armstrong Keister (his initials form the TAK in “atTAcK”) who died of an accidental heroin overdose at age 24. The nonprofit aims to educate Delaware communities on substance use disorders and empower them to drive positive change, including reframing addiction as a disease, reducing stigma that can hinder recovery support.
Since its inception, Project Engage has served more than 13,000 patients and conducted more than 27,000 patient engagements, with over 60% of these engagements resulting in a referral to community treatment at discharge.
ChristianaCare, under Nevin’s leadership, has shared atTAcK addiction’s dedication to expanding treatment access and driving lasting improvements in community health, said advisory board member Frances Russo-Avena in presenting the award.
“Dr. Nevin, in alignment with atTAcK addiction, believes in the power of education and the practice of prevention,” Russo-Avena said. “She understood our cries for community-based education about substance use disorders.
“We know that the earlier the interventions are in place, the better and safer the outcomes for our communities.”
ChristianaCare has developed multiple innovative programs to support individuals facing addiction:
- Project Engage aids patients at Christiana, Wilmington and Middletown campuses struggling with alcohol or drug use. The program provides early intervention and referrals to substance use disorder treatment by having peers in recovery meet patients in the emergency department and at the bedside to discuss substance use. Since its inception, Project Engage has served more than 13,000 patients and conducted more than 27,000 patient engagements, with over 60% of these engagements resulting in a referral to community treatment at discharge.
- Similarly, at Union Hospital, ChristianaCare partners with the Cecil County Health Department and nonprofit Voices for Hope to ensure peer support specialists are available seven days a week to encourage patients struggling with substance use.
- ChristianaCare’s Addiction Medicine Consult Service works with patients during medical admission and supports patients who want to continue their opioid-use disorder medications in the community. This program cared for over 1,200 patients in 2023.
- Another team of caregivers is leading a state-licensed outpatient addiction program, Project Recovery, which conducted more than 5,000 patient visits last year, helping them stay on a substance-free path.
- ChristianaCare also partnered with New Castle County, Del., to expand the police department’s behavioral health unit, helping people with substance use disorder access the appropriate level of care.
“We understand that addiction happens in all walks of life, among people from all backgrounds,” Nevin said. “It’s nights like tonight when I am reminded of the power of collective impact and our shared commitment to serving together.
“Thank you to atTAcK addiction for being a guiding light in this important work. We are in this together with you.”
If you need help recovering from substance use, visit the Project Recovery website, email projectrecovery@christianacare.org or call 302-320-9650.
