Today, Clinica Sierra Vista announced the launch of its Addiction Medicine Fellowship, which is in partnership with the Rio Bravo Family Medicine Residency Program. This one-year program, accredited by the Accreditation Council of Graduate Medical Education (ACGME), is dedicated to equipping board-certified physicians with the expertise to compassionately and effectively address substance use disorders, focusing on serving the diverse and often underserved populations of Kern County.
Collaboration will be the heart of this fellowship, allowing fellows to work closely with specialists, therapists, and other healthcare professionals to foster a multidisciplinary approach to patient care. Additionally, fellows will have the opportunity to collaborate with local organizations, enhancing community-based interventions and support systems.
The program emphasizes education and research, providing opportunities for fellows to engage in lectures, workshops, case discussions, and ongoing research initiatives. Throughout this program, fellows will foster advocacy skills and be empowered to champion the needs of patients with addiction and to promote policies focused on harm reduction, treatment access, and stigma reduction.
“I think it probably goes without saying that substance use disorders very significantly impact our community,” said Doctor Matthew Beare, Family Medicine Physician and Program Director. “There’s a large number of patients in Kern County who struggle with substance use disorders. Fentanyl, methamphetamines, alcohol, so the need was very, very apparent.”
The Kern County Coroner’s Office reported at least 297 fentanyl-related overdose deaths in 2023, an 18% increase from the 252 deaths recorded the previous year. This rise emphasizes the urgent need for specialized addiction treatment services in the community, highlighting the significance of initiatives like the Addiction Medicine Fellowship.
The program offers a comprehensive clinical experience across both outpatient and inpatient settings, with a focus on Medications for Addiction Treatment (MAT) and the use of long-acting injectable treatments for various substance use disorders. A standout feature of the fellowship is the opportunity to develop both clinical and behavioral health skills while serving unsheltered patients through Clinica Sierra Vista’s street medicine teams.
Fellows will gain hands-on experience with a wide range of addiction cases, including both substance use and behavioral addictions. The program is designed to provide comprehensive clinical exposure in both outpatient and inpatient settings, with a strong focus on Medications for Addiction Treatment (MAT) and the use of long-acting injectable treatments for substance use disorders. A standout element of the fellowship is the opportunity to hone clinical and behavioral health skills by working with unsheltered patients through Clinica Sierra Vista’s dedicated street medicine teams.
“Clinica Sierra Vista’s Addiction Medicine Fellowship is a groundbreaking step towards addressing the critical need for specialized addiction care in our community. Our comprehensive training program will empower family medicine physicians to make a significant impact in the lives of those struggling with substance use disorders,” said Dr. Beare.
