Special Episode from the 55th Annual ASAM Conference: Dr. Michael Baca-Atlas

Dr. Michael Baca-Atlas joins host, Zach, from ASAM’s 55th Annual Conference. After sharing his favorite breakfast food, Dr. Baca-Atlas talks about his journey into the field of addiction medicine and his pathway to currently focusing on the intersection of primary care, mental health, and substance use disorder (SUD). He discusses being a former Ruth Fox Scholar and the opportunities that experience provided. Dr. Baca-Atlas also shares his perspectives on the stigma surrounding addiction and the need for improvement with regard to inequity related to substance use and treatment. He discusses the workshop session, Not HOCUS POCUS: Bedside U/S for the Addiction Medicine Specialist, he co-presented at conference about point of care ultrasound (POCUS). Dr. Baca-Atlas, who will become president of the North Carolina Society of Addiction Medicine (NCSAM) in July, shares his goals in this new role and why he is looking forward to this opportunity. He also shares his experience in the podcasting field with Hippo Education and the Primary Care RAP podcast. Finally, Dr. Baca-Atlas offers advice for his younger self and the next generation of addiction medicine specialists. Dr. Baca-Atlas is originally from Baltimore, MD. He completed his undergraduate work at the University of Maryland, College Park and medical school at University of Maryland in Baltimore. He completed his family medicine residency at UNC as well as an addiction medicine fellowship at UNC in the Department of Psychiatry. He serves as the medical director for UNC REACH Enhanced Primary Care and associate medical director for the Tobacco Treatment Program. He also serves as a contributor for Primary Care RAP (Reviews and Perspectives), a medical education podcast. Outside of work, Dr. Baca-Atlas enjoys spending time with his partner, eating breakfast for dinner, and traveling. Links: ASAM’s 55th Annual Conference Information Ruth Fox Scholarship Not HOCUS POCUS: Bedside U/S for the Addiction Medicine Specialist North Carolina Society of Addiction Medicine (NCSAM) Hippo Education Primary Care RAP podcast   If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, you are not alone. Treatment is available and recovery is possible. Visit ASAM’s Patient Resources page for more information. The information shared in this podcast episode is for educational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice. The views expressed in this podcast may not be those of the host or the management.