Emily Hurstak, MD, MPH

Assistant Professor, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine

Biography

Dr. Emily Hurstak is the Medical Director for the Boston Medical Center’s Office Based Addiction Treatment (OBAT) Program and the Grayken Center for Addiction TTA's SUD Care Continuum ECHO. She is a primary care physician and addiction medicine specialist who provides primary medical care to patients at Boston Medical Center's General Internal Medicine and OBAT clinics. She has focused her work and research on improving the understanding and care of patients with co-morbid substance use disorders and chronic pain as well as studying health literacy and health communication techniques to improve care of vulnerable patients. She is board certified in internal medicine and addiction medicine and is trained in medical acupuncture. Dr. Hurstak received her medical degree from Columbia University and completed her residency, chief residency, and fellowship at the University of California San Francisco.

Publications

  • Published 1/22/2026

    Wexler RS, Joyce CT, Reichman R, Pereira C, Fanuele E, Hurstak E, Laird LD, Lavretsky H, Wang C, Saper R, Alcorn KS, Mittman BS, Roseen EJ. Determinants of Qi Gong, Tai Chi, and Yoga Use for Health Conditions: A Systematic Review Protocol. Glob Adv Integr Med Health. 2026; 15:27536130261417682. PMID: 41589200.

    Read at: PubMed

  • Published 11/20/2025

    Bagley SM, Maschke AD, Harris MTH, Walley AY, Johnson S, Hurstak E, Farley J, Keller SG, McMahan VM, Barrett C, Coffin PO, Gunn CM. A qualitative study exploring motivations for participating in research among women who use opioids. PLoS One. 2025; 20(11):e0336061. PMID: 41264582.

    Read at: PubMed

  • Published 6/2/2025

    Roseen EJ, Hurstak EE, Kim RS, Gao Q, Greco CM, Vago DR, Saper RB, Kligler B, McKee MD, Dusek JA. Nonpharmacologic Back Pain Treatment Use and Associated Patient Reported Outcomes in US-Based Integrative Medicine Clinics. Glob Adv Integr Med Health. 2025; 14:27536130251345481. PMID: 40463627.

    Read at: PubMed

  • Published 5/16/2025

    Mills L, Sepulveda ER, Miller Z, Jones J, Hernandez G, Ly SM, Canfield J, Flanigan T, Goulet P, Joseph R, Hurstak E, Palmer JA, Sanchez M, So-Armah K, Fitzpatrick AM. Social Determinants of Health and Linkage to HIV Care Among Groups at High Risk for Not Linking to HIV Care. Res Sq. 2025 May 16. PMID: 40470238.

    Read at: PubMed

  • Published 4/18/2025

    Fitzpatrick AM, Ly SM, Canfield J, So-Armah K, Palmer JA, Hurstak EE. Experiences of Trainees From Underrepresented Groups Within Addiction Medicine Training Programs: A Qualitative Study. Subst Use Addctn J. 2025 Jul; 46(3):612-623. PMID: 40249028.

    Read at: PubMed

View All 26 Publications:   View Full Profile in BUMC

Websites

Education

  • Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, MD
  • Yale University, BS
  • University of California, San Francisco, MASt

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