Addressing Stigma in Healthcare: A Provider’s Pathway to Supporting Patients with Substance Use Disorder

This presentation will focus on addressing stigma in healthcare, drawing on insights from the Shatterproof Addiction Stigma Index (SASI) and evidence-based strategies embedded in our new accredited curriculum – Provider’s Pathway to Supporting Patients with Substance Use Disorder. We will explore how stigma manifests among healthcare providers, and its impact on patient experience and outcomes. Through interactive discussion, participants will analyze key findings from SASI data and engage with practical tools that can help reduce stigma in clinical settings. Ultimately, the session aims to equip public health and healthcare professionals with actionable steps to create more inclusive and supportive environments for individuals with substance use disorders.

Learning Objectives:

1. Understand the Impact of Stigma in Healthcare Settings: Participants will gain insights into how stigma manifests among healthcare providers, supported by data from the Shatterproof Addiction Stigma Index (SASI) and other research, as well as discuss insights into key areas for intervention.

2. Learn About How Stigma Affects Patients with SUD: Participants will learn what the research tells us about how stigma affects patient experience and outcomes with regard to SUD course, engagement with healthcare professionals across health issues, and in relation to treatment and recovery for those who are seeking it.

3. Explore Evidence-Based Strategies to Reduce Stigma – Provider’s Pathway: Participants will learn about the formative work behind the curriculum and will examine specific interventions and practical tools that help reduce stigma, such as harm reduction and “hosting conversations.”

About the Speakers: 

Gabby Granata (she/her/hers) is a Program Manager, Healthcare, National Stigma Initiative. Before joining Shatterproof, Gabby has passionately involved herself in various roles in the SUD space. First on a federal level at the Office of National Drug Control Policy addressing the role language plays in addiction stigma before joining SAFE Project and focusing efforts more locally for those seeking addiction related services. In her current role at Shatterproof, Gabby working to reduce addiction related stigma among healthcare providers by supporting the adoption and implementation phase of the team’s main project – A Provider’s Pathway to Supporting Patients with SUD. Gabby holds a Masters in Public Health from The George Washington University where she also received her undergraduate degree. She is currently based in Brooklyn, NY.

Megan Halmo (she/her/hers) is the Senior Director, Healthcare, National Stigma Initiative. Before joining Shatterproof, Megan worked as an independent consultant focused on strategic planning, stakeholder engagement, and evaluation for public health and equity initiatives in the US and abroad. She also worked for many years at Tufts University, implementing and scaling national health promotion programming with youth development organizations, school districts, and a variety of partner organizations. Megan’s specialty is bringing together folks from multiple sectors to implement and evaluate complex, evidence-based programs to advance equity in our public health and social systems.

Robert DeForde (he/him/his) is a Program Manager, Healthcare, National Stigma Initiative. He brings firsthand lived experience as a member of the recovery community for over thirteen years in addition to having worked on the ground in treatment centers while residing in Houston, Texas. Robert has a deep passion for empowering communities to create sustainable public health change. This passion is rooted in his past work as a co-founder of the Texas Bleeding Disorders Coalition; which aligned the advocacy goals of the two bleeding disorders organizations in the State of Texas for the first time. Currently, Robert is an adjunct faculty member at his alma mater, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center School of Health Professions, helping to train and support the next generation of healthcare leaders. His personal education journey continues as he pursues a Masters of Public Health at Boston University.