CARE Unit Faculty
Richard Saitz, M.D., M.P.H. , F.A.S.A.M., F.A.C.P.
CARE Unit Director
Professor of Medicine and Epidemiology
Associate Director, Youth Alcohol Prevention Center
Medical School: Boston University School of Medicine
Residency: Boston City Hospital
Fellowship Training: General Internal Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Beth Israel-Deaconess Hospital
Areas of Specialization/ Research Interests:
- Alcohol screening and brief intervention education and research
- Alcohol health services research
- Alcohol withdrawal
- Alcohol and young people
- Management of alcohol problems in general health
Profile:
Dr. Saitz joined the faculty in 1993 after completion of a Chief Residency and fellowship in general medicine at Harvard Medical School. He is a primary care physician in the Latino Health and Primary care clinics, and focuses on clinical research related to unhealthy alcohol use. His research has been supported by private foundations (including a Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Generalist Physician Faculty Scholar Award) and the National Institutes of Health. He has also led education programs for residents and practicing physicians and a research fellowship training program.
Current Grant Support:
AA 12617 R01(Saitz)
05/01/00 – 04/30/05
10.5%
NIAAA: $318,236
Hospital-Based Brief Intervention for Alcohol Problems
The study aims to randomize 500 subjects with alcohol problems to test the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of a tailored brief intervention. An Alcohol Intervention Policy Model will also be developed which will involve utility assessment, data from the literature, and data from the randomized trial. The study will assess the impact of brief intervention on health utilization, alcohol consumption, alcohol problem, readiness to change, and health-related quality of life outcomes.
1 K30 HL04124 (Felson)
06/01/99 – 05/31/05
5%
NIH/NHLBI: $183,337
Boston University Clinical Research Training (CREST) Program
The major goal of the project is to create new courses, seminars, mentoring opportunities and other activities designed to provide rigorous training in the science and ethics underlying human subject research, with the ultimate goal being to train fellows and residents in clinical research.
R01-AA13216 (Samet)
09/26/00-7/31/05
20%
NIAAA: $494,355
Clinical Impact of Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) and Alcohol in HIV-Infected Persons
The goal of the project is to assemble a cohort of 400 subjects with alcohol abuse or dependence and HIV, half of whom will also have hepatitis C (HCV). Subjects will be followed for 3.5 years to determine the magnitude and impact of alcohol use and problems on HIV and liver disease progression. The main hypothesis to be tested is that HCV-infected persons have worse HIV-related outcomes than those without HCV. In addition we hypothesize that alcoholism leads to worse HIV-related outcomes, and subjects with both HCV and alcohol problems have the worst outcomes.
1 R25AA13822 (Saitz)
9/1/02-5/31/05
10%
NIAAA: $225,000
Alcohol Clinical Training (ACT) Project
The purpose of the ACT Project is to train primary care physicians in screening and brief intervention for alcohol problems and health disparities, and to produce an alcohol and health newsletter.
1 RO1 AA13304 (Ellison)
05/16/2003 – 04/30/2008
20%
NIH/NIAAA: $473,151
Net Lifetime Health Effects of Alcohol Use & Abuse
The purpose of the research is to determine the relationship between alcohol consumption and health outcomes, particularly cognitive outcomes and mortality.
H79 TI14028 (Lincoln/Ciraulo)
6/1/03-5/31/06
4.5%
CSAT SAMHSA: $531,224
Advanced Clinical Capacity for Engagement, Safety and Services (ACCESS)
The purpose of the grant is to support clinical and educational services by creating a continuum of services for people with dual-diagnoses who are homeless, provide housing and to create an appropriately trained and sensitive staff and health professionals for this population.
1 P60 AA013759 (Rosenbloom)
02/11/04-02/10/09
15%
NIAAA: $1,248,096
Center to Prevent Alcohol Problems Among Young People
The purpose of this proposal is to create a center (research and education) to prevent alcohol related problems among young people. Dr. Saitz is the Associate Director and Scientific Co-Director.
R01 AA014713 (Kraemer)
7/1/04-6/30/08
5%
NIAAA: $16,752 (Saitz, PI of subcontract)
Patient and Societal Utilities for Alcohol Problems The purpose of this study is to develop and test utilities for alcohol problems for use in cost-utility analyses. Dr. Saitz will participate as a co-investigator primarily to assist with the development of alcohol-related health state descriptions, and interpretation of the study results. Dr. Saitz effort has not begun for this project.
Dr Saitz’s Publications
Debbie Cheng, ScD
Associate Professor of Biostatistics
Area of Specialization
- Biostatistics
Profile
Dr. Cheng’s research interests include applied statistics, design and analysis of clinical trials, and infectious diseases. She actively collaborates with several investigators in the CARE Unit on various projects in the areas of alcohol use, HIV infection, and the interface of alcohol use and HIV. The goals of these studies include assessing whether alcohol consumption and Hepatitis C are associated with HIV disease outcomes and testing an HIV prevention intervention in a Russian substance abuse treatment facility. Her research also involves exploring statistical methodology for longitudinal studies and clinical trials. Dr. Cheng teaches courses in statistical computing and the design and conduct of clinical trials.
Current Grant Support
R01-AA13216-04 (Samet)
9/26/00-7/31/05
NIAAA:
Clinical Impact of Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) and Alcohol in HIV-Infected Persons
The objective of this project is to test whether alcohol consumption and HCV, separate and together, are associated with worse HIV-related disease outcomes and to determine the magnitude and importance of these effects.
AA 12617 R01 (Saitz)
05/01/00 -04/30/05
NIAAA:
Hospital-Based Brief Intervention for Alcohol Problems
The primary goal of this project is to screen and perform a brief intervention in hospitalized medical patients with alcohol problems, using a randomized controlled trial design, in order to assess if such a clinical intervention will improve alcohol-related outcomes, health-related quality of life, and health care utilization.
R21-AA14821 (Samet) 8/31/03-8/30/06
NIAAA:
HIV Prevention Partnership in Russian Alcohol Treatment
The goal of this study is to develop and test the feasibility of adapting and implementing an efficacious U.S. HIV prevention intervention in a Russian substance abuse treatment center. This study will randomize 180 subjects to one of two adapted interventions and assess HIV risk behaviors and substance use at baseline and 6 months.
William Cahan Distinguished Professor Award
(Siegel)
07/01/02 -06/30/05 Flight Attendant Medical Research Institute (FAMRI):
Protecting Workers and the Public from Secondhand Smoke: The Impact of Clean Indoor Air Policies on Secondhand Smoke Exposure and Smoking Behavior
The goal of this research is to assess the impact of clean indoor air policies for bars, restaurants, and worksites on protection of workers and the public from ETS exposure, and on youth smoking initiation and adult smoking cessation.
Dr Cheng’s Publications
Theresa W. Kim, M.D.
Clinical Instructor of Medicine
Medical School: Boston University School of Medicine
Residency: Cambridge Hospital
Fellowship: General Internal Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston University Medical Center
Areas of Specialization/ Research Interests:
- Medical complications of addiction disorders
- Co-occurring addiction and psychiatric disorders
- Integration of primary care and substance abuse treatment
- Opioids and bone mineral density
- Access to care for homeless HIV infected populations
Profile:
Dr. Kim is a clinician-investigator for the Section of General Internal Medicine. She completed fellowship training as a health services researcher in general internal medicine at the Boston University Medical Center. She is a primary care physician at the Boston HealthCare for the Homeless Program HIV program as well as the Community for Addictive Behaviors Boston Treatment Unit. Her research interests focus on the management of addictions in primary care.
Current Grant Support:
R25-DA13582 (Samet) 05/01/01 – 04/30/06
NIDA: $1,643,027
Clinical Addiction Research and Education (CARE) UnitThe CARE Program has three major aims: (1) Generalist physicians in Internal Medicine, Family Practice, or Emergency Medicine are mentored and trained to develop into drug abuse researchers; (2) Through an annual four-day immersion training program Chief residents are recruited nationwide to gain skills in assessment and treatment of drug- abusing patients in medical settings and incorporate these skills into resident and medical student teaching; and (3) Management and staff of community-based organizations providing drug treatment undergo agency change efforts to incorporate evidence-based approaches in their practice.
R01-AA13766 (Samet) 10/01/00 – 09/30/05
NIAAA
HIV Longitudinal Interrelationships of Viruses and Ethanol (HIV-LIVE)The goal of this project is to assemble a cohort of 400 subjects with alcohol abuse or dependence and HIV, half of whom will also have hepatitis C (HCV). Subjects will be followed for 3.5 years to determine the magnitude and impact of alcohol use and HCV on HIV progression.
Jane Liebschutz, MD, MPH, FACP,
Assistant Professor of Medicine
Director, Preventive Medicine Residency
Associate Director, General Internal Medicine Fellowship
Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Generalist Faculty Scholar
Medical School: Harvard Medical School
Residency: Boston City Hospital
Fellowship Training: General Internal Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine
Areas of Specialization/Research Interests:
- Violence
- Post-traumatic Stress Disorder
- Substance Use Disorder
- Preventive Medicine
- Fellowship training
Profile:
Dr. Jane Liebschutz joined the faculty in 1998 after completion of a fellowship in General Internal Medicine and residencies in Internal Medicine and Preventive Medicine. She directs the Boston University Preventive Medicine Residency and is associate director of the Boston University General Internal Medicine Fellowship. She became a Robert Woods Johnson Foundation Generalist Faculty Scholar in 2002. She conducts research on Post-traumatic Stress Disorder, substance abuse and chronic pain in the primary care setting.
Current Grant Support
K23 DAO16665 (Leibschutz)
2004-2009
NIDA:
Co-occurring Substance Abuse, Post-Traumatic Stree Disorder, and Chronic Pain in the Primary Care SettingThis is a five year career development award to support research on co-occurring PTSD, Substance Abuse and Chronic Pain in the Primary Care Setting.
RWJ #045452 (Liebschutz)
2002-2006
Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
Generalist Faculty Scholar AwardThis a four year career development grant to support research on identification of post-traumatic stress disorder in primary care.
PTAPM-97-185 (Liebschutz)
2001-2005
American Cancer Society
Physician Training AwardThis grant supports training of preventive medicine residents in cancer prevention and control with a focus on research.
1 D14 HP00056 (Friedman)
7/1/03-6/30/06
Department of Health and Human Services-Health Research Services
Faculty Development in General Internal Medicine and Family MedicineThis is a three year award to support training of primary care physicians in research.
Dr Liebschutz’s Publications
Jeffrey H. Samet, MD, MA, MPH
Chief, Section of General Internal Medicine
Vice Chair for Public Health Department of Medicine
Professor of Medicine and Social and Behavioral Sciences
Boston University Schools of Medicine and Public Health
Medical School: Baylor College of Medicine
Residency: Boston City Hospital
Fellowship Training: General Internal Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts General Hospital
Areas of Specialization/ Research Interests:
- Primary Care and Substance Abuse
- Alcohol Use and HIV Infection
- Health Professional Substance Abuse Education
Profile:
Dr. Samet is Professor of Medicine and Social and Behavioral Sciences at Boston University Schools of Medicine and Public Health. He is the Chief of the Section of General Internal Medicine at the medical school and at Boston Medical Center and Vice Chair for Public Health of the Department of Medicine. He is responsible for a faculty of 90 general internists. He has been a primary care physician in Boston since 1983. In 1995 he became the Medical Director of the Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Services Division of the Boston Public Health Commission providing supervision to its four physicians and guidance to this public health and clinical service with a $4 million annual budget. Between 1990 and 2002, he served as the Director of the HIV Diagnostic Evaluation Unit at Boston City Hospital/Boston Medical Center, a weekly intake clinic for newly diagnosed patients with HIV infection. Over 2000 HIV-infected patients initiated medical care in this setting during this period. He served on the Executive Committee of the Association of Medical Education and Research in Substance Abuse (AMERSA) for 8 years and was National President (1999-2001). He was Co-chair of the Society of General Internal Medicine Substance Abuse Task Force from 1992 to 2002.
Dr. Samet was the founding Director of the Clinical Addiction Research and Education (CARE) Unit over 1992-2002. In this period, the unit grew into a unit within the Section of General Internal Medicine involving over 20 individuals including faculty, research associates, and administrative staff with grant support topping $12 million over this period.
Current Grant Support:
RO1-AA13766 (Samet) 10/01/00 – 09/30/05
NIAA: $2,619,674
Clinical Impact of HCV and Alcohol in HIV-Infected PersonsThe objective of this project is to test whether alcohol consumption and HCV, separate and together, are associated with worse HIV-related disease outcomes and to determine the magnitude and importance of these effects.
R21-AA14821 (Samet) 9/29/03 – 9/28/06
NIAAA: $750,000
HIV Prevention Partnership in Russian Alcohol TreatmentThe goal of this study is to develop and test the feasibility of adapting and implementing an efficacious U.S. HIV prevention intervention in a Russian substance abuse treatment center. This study will randomize 180 subjects to one of two adapted interventions and assess HIV risk behaviors and substance use at baseline and 6 months.
R01-AA12617 (Saitz) 5/1/00 – 4/30/05
NIAAA: $1,486,000
Hospital Based Brief Interventions for Alcohol ProblemsThe study aims to randomize 500 subjects with alcohol problems to test the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of a tailored brief intervention. An Alcohol Intervention Policy Model will also be developed which will involve utility assessment, data from the literature, and data from the randomized trial. The study will assess the impact of brief intervention on health utilization, alcohol consumption, alcohol problem, readiness to change, and health-related quality of life outcomes.
R25 DA13582 (Samet) 05/01/01 – 04/30/06
NIDA:$1,643,027
Clinical Addiction Research and Education (CARE) ProgramThe CARE Program has three major aims: (1) Generalist physicians in Internal Medicine, Family Practice, or Emergency Medicine are mentored and trained to develop into drug abuse researchers; (2) Through an annual four-day immersion training program Chief residents are recruited nationwide to gain skills in assessment and treatment of drug-abusing patients in medical settings and incorporate these skills into resident and medical student teaching; and (3) Management and staff of community-based organizations providing drug treatment undergo agency change efforts to incorporate evidence-based approaches in their practice.
R13 AA014674 (Samet) 3/01/04 – 2/28/09
NIDA: $47,000
Enhancing Alcohol Science Focus: AMERSA National MeetingR13 DA15046 (Samet) 8/1/02 – 7/31/07
NIDA: $100,000
AMERSA Annual National Conference
Mentor for Jane Liebschutz, MD, MPH;
Targeted Screening for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in Primary Care
7/1/02 – 6/30/06
Generalist Physician Faculty Scholar Program
Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF); 300,000Mentor for Stefan Kertesz, MD, MPH;
Drug Abuse in Homeless Persons
K23 DA 015487 09/20/02 – 08/31/07
NIDA: $849,516Mentor for Jane Liebschutz, MD, MPH; Co-occurring Substance Abuse, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, and Chronic Pain in the Primary Care Setting “
K23 DA 016665 07/01/03 – 06/30/08
NIDA: $868,750
Dr. Samet’s Publications
Christopher William Shanahan MD, MPH
Assistant Professor of Medicine
Clinical Researcher, Clinical Addiction Research and Education (CARE) Unit
Areas of Specialization/ Research Interests:
- Treatment access, behavior change and readiness,
and harm reduction in Out of Treatment Opioid Addicts - Harm Reduction in Out of Treatment Opioid Addicts
- Impact of depression on treatment of Substance Abuse
- Role of Primary Care in Care of Mentally Ill and Substance Abusing Homeless Persons
in a Transitional Safe Haven Shelter
Profile:
Dr. Shanahan joined the Section of General Internal Medicine at the former Boston City Hospital and Boston University School of Medicine in 1991. From 1993 to 1995, Dr. Shanahan trained as a General Medicine Research Fellow at Beth Israel Hospital and Harvard Medical School. His research focused on the Patient¡VPhysician Relationship¡¦s impact on the preferences and perceptions that doctors and patients have regarding ambulatory referral.
From 1995-2001, Dr. Shanahan, rejoined the BU faculty as an Assistant Professor of Medicine at BMC and served as Medical Director of Mattapan Community Health Center. In 2001, Dr. Shanahan joined the Clinical Addiction Research and Education (CARE) Unit as a Clinical Researcher. He is a contributing member of the HELP Study research group at the Center for Addiction Research and Education Unit and is investigating the relationship between Depression and Detoxification Unit Utilization.
As Director of the Transitional Opioid Program (TOP), Dr. Shanahan led the development and implementation of an ambulatory Methadone Detoxification and Harm Reduction Services Program for Hospitalized Out-of-Treatment Opioid Addicts. He currently directs TOP for Boston Medical Center and the Boston Health Commission’s Department of Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment. Clinical data collected from this program is actively being evaluated as part of 2 ongoing unfunded research Projects focused on evaluating the effectiveness of the program and characteristics of the patient population that it targets in terms of their readiness to change substance use behaviors.
He teaches third year BUSM Medical Clerks in Evidence-Based Medicine as part of their Ambulatory Medicine Rotations in Medicine and attends on the Hospital Teaching Service annually.
Current Substance Abuse Grant Support:
12617R01(Lincoln) 07/01/03 – 06/30/06
SAMHSA:$1,700,000
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services AdministrationThe Dudley Inn is an 8-bed Enhanced Safe Haven for people who are chronically homeless, substance-abusing and have a major mental illness. A Safe Haven is a HUD model of Tranisitonal Shelter. The Dudley Inn, funded by a SAMSHA grant, through the Boston Medical Center Division of Psychiatry. It is a collaborative project with BMC, Metro-Boston DMH, Central Office DMH, Boston University School of Public Health, Vinfen, Consumer Quality Initiatives, The Boston Public Health Commission, and BMC Primary Care. The program is designed to help people who are either resistant to, or ineligible for other forms of shelter and housing. These are most difficult to serve clients.
Dr Shanahan’s Publications
- Treatment access, behavior change and readiness,
