Meeting patients wherever they are at and working collaboratively on a plan toward wellness is the foundation of HOPES’ dignified and personalized care. HOPES providers offer high-quality, patient-centered care to each and every individual who walks through our clinic doors, and they’re always looking to expand avenues to offer that best-in-class care. From personally calling patients to follow-up on a visit, to advancing their own education, our providers know improving access at the individual level improves health at the community level.
We’re thrilled for Dr. Taylor Tomlinson who recently passed her Addiction Medicine Boards. Dr. Tomlinson is now both a Board-certified Physician in Family Medicine and in Addiction Medicine enabling her to provide exceptional care for individuals, families and those accessing our Medication-Assisted Treatment program.
Learn more about Dr. Tomlinson and her commitment to her patients:
Q: Number of years practicing medicine:
- Graduated medical school 2011, Graduated residency 2014
Q: Number of years at HOPES?
- Two years!
Q: Why did you choose to practice addiction medicine?
- As a Family Medicine doctor, my passion is to provide accessible, preventative medical care and chronic disease management to patients of all ages. Addiction is a treatable, chronic disease that historically hasn’t been addressed within the context of primary care but has excellent, evidence-based treatments that save lives and improve health outcomes the way we do with other chronic illnesses. It is very rewarding to increase patients’ access to this treatment.
Q: What specifically do you find rewarding about practicing addiction medicine?
- The vast majority of people who use drugs/alcohol and have addiction are never offered and don’t receive treatment, especially in our community. I’m passionate about increasing awareness and access to treatment because it’s well studied, saves lives, reduces healthcare costs, and helps patients reach their health and life goals.
Q: Why is Addiction Medicine at HOPES successful?
- Addiction medicine is successful at HOPES because we’re striving to offer a safe, welcoming space for people who use drugs/alcohol to receive a variety of treatments that fit their healthcare goals: medication, therapy, groups, peer support and case management.
Q: Anything else you’d like to share about addiction medicine and those you are helping?
- Addiction is a treatable, chronic disease. It is NOT a moral failing.
- Substance use disorders are no more a voluntary choice than diabetes or high blood pressure.
- Buprenorphine (suboxone) decreases risk of overdose and death by 50%!
- Most overdose deaths are caused by opiates (opiate prescriptions, heroin, fentanyl). If persons who use drugs are not ready to quit, we can help them use drugs more safely.
