Marshall University’s College of Health Professions will play a key role as a partner for the inaugural West Virginia Integrated Behavioral Health Conference Tuesday, Sept. 17, through Thursday, Sept. 19, at the Charleston Civic Center in Charleston, W.Va. Marshall students will receive a discounted rate to enroll in the conference.
Dr. William Pewen, assistant professor of public health and family medicine at Marshall, said the meeting will bring together professionals from diverse fields, including physicians, social workers, pharmacists, nurses, law enforcement officers, legal advocates and others. Participants will have the opportunity both to enhance their own skills and learn how to better collaborate with other professionals.
“This is the first time so many disciplines have been brought together to confront our region’s behavioral health needs,” Pewen said. “From substance abuse to child welfare to disabilities – this meeting could mark a sea change in improving public health in West Virginia and throughout the Appalachian region.”
The conference will feature internationally and locally recognized presenters who will examine the state of integrated health care. Among these is Dr. Daniel Carlat, who serves as director of the Prescription Project in Washington, D.C., and is responsible for the oversight of the Pew Charitable Trusts’ initiatives on medical conflicts of interest.
“Dr. Carlat brings a key perspective to our concurrent meeting of the International Symposium on Safe Medicine as an expert in how conflicts of interest influence the use of prescription drugs,” Pewen said. “The chance to attend a meeting of this sort should be a compelling opportunity for health professionals and concerned members of the public.”
Dr. John Schloss, professor and chair of the Department of Pharmaceutical Science and Research at Marshall’s School of Pharmacy, was also involved as an organizer for the safe medicine component of the conference.
Students can register for $35 per day with lunch included. Registration for non-students is $249. For more information on attending this conference, visit http://dhhr.regsvc.com/ibhconf online.
