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 6/1/2026

    Lent MR, Hurstak EE, Lynch KG, Loscalzo E, Mazur K, Lugo HL, Dugosh KL. Adjunctive Psychosocial Interventions and Opioid Abstinence Among Patients Receiving Buprenorphine: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Netw Open. 2026 Jun 01; 9(6):e2619826. PMID: 42334848.

    Read at: PubMed

  • Published 4/21/2026

    Hurstak EE, Volandes A, Yuh D, Lakin JR, Malave J, Paasche-Orlow MK, Randa SN, Davis AD, Tulsky JA, Quintiliani LM. Video Declarations from Patients with Advanced Cancer: A Tool to Assist with Goals of Care Conversations. J Gen Intern Med. 2026 Apr 21. PMID: 42014637.

    Read at: PubMed

  • Published 3/5/2026

    Mohamed R, Paasche-Orlow MK, Serrano E, Marquez M, Henault L, Weaver C, Slesinger Roy NC, Farina FR, Hurstak E, Taddeo M, Hauner K, Griffith JW. Differential item functioning of PROMIS Sleep Disturbance-Short Form 8a across levels of health literacy in a community sample of adults. Psychol Assess. 2026 May; 38(5):384-395. PMID: 41785129.

    Read at: PubMed

  • 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

View All 29 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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