The Coalition on Physician Education in Substance Use Disorders’ (COPE) Executive Committee recently announced the appointment of Anton C. Bizzell, M.D., CEO of The Bizzell Group (Bizzell), to COPE’s governing body. The designation adds to Dr. Bizzell’s rich history in the field of health education as he has served as a Medical Officer with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), as well as in the Office of Translational Research and Education at the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), providing support for research and educational projects addressing physician and other allied health professions’ continuing education.
COPE was formed in 2010 to sustain and expand on the accomplishments of a series of White House Conferences on Medical Education in Substance Abuse, sponsored in 2003, 2006, and 2009 by the Office of National Drug Control Policy in the Executive Office of the President. The organization’s overarching goal is to improve the education of medical students in the areas of alcohol, tobacco and other drug use disorders – ranging from problematic or risky use to addiction. Another goal is to help medical students receive appropriate training to develop the skills they need to prevent, screen for, diagnose and manage substance use disorders in their patients, regardless of the location or specialty in which they ultimately practice.
As a member of COPE’s governing body Dr. Bizzell will have a hand in supporting the organization’s current activities including administration of medical school surveys and sponsorship of regional Medical Education Summits which are designed to identify specific needs and respond to opportunities for enhancing teaching about substance use disorders in the undergraduate years. COPE also produces an e-newsletter, which is distributed to more than 3,000 readers, and maintains a website that offer news and resources to medical educators.
To learn more about COPE visit: www.cope-assn.org.