Parrish Medical Center Partners with Brevard Prevention Coalition to Host Free Medication-Assisted Treatment Training
TITUSVILLE, FLA. (April 22, 2025) — In a powerful collaborative effort to combat the opioid crisis, Parrish Medical Center recently hosted the Brevard Prevention Coalition’s Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) Training, a free comprehensive educational event aimed at equipping professionals with the tools and knowledge needed to support individuals struggling with opioid use disorder. This training was part of the national Move Into Light® initiative spearheaded by Brevard Prevention Coalition to reduce addiction stigmas and promote harm reduction principles. Other event collaborators included Central Florida Treatment Center and Indivior.
The training was specifically designed for a wide range of professionals working on the front lines of substance misuse including law enforcement officers, healthcare providers, social service personnel and others dedicated to improving the health and safety of our communities. The aim was to educate attendees on MAT, now more commonly referred to as medication-assisted therapy utilizing medications for opioid used disorder (MOUD).
Attendees received foundational insights into the science and application of MAT, a proven approach to treating opioid use disorder using FDA-approved medications combined with counseling and behavioral therapies. Many of the medications and approaches have been around for decades. Still, the goal of the training was to break down stigma, foster understanding and promote effective intervention strategies.
“People should know all their options for treating addiction. The path to recovery is not the same for everyone,” said Stanley Brizz, MS, Executive Director of Brevard Prevention Coalition. “Unfortunately, stigma and inaccurate information have prevented people with substance use disorders for exploring options like MAT that could have been effective for them. We are so grateful that the City of Titusville saw this as a priority and we thank them for utilizing their opioid settlement funds to sponsor this training for Titusville.”
Expert presenters included: Stanley Brizz, MS, Executive Director of the Brevard Prevention Coalition and Addictions Counselor; G. Davy Kneessy, MS, MAC, MCAP, Central Florida Treatment Center and Cambridge Hampshire, PharmD, Medical Outcomes and Value Liaison at Indivior. Their combined expertise offered attendees a rich perspective on the role of medication in recovery, emerging trends and how to best support those on the path to wellness. In recognition of the professional development value of the event, two Continuing Education (CE) credits were offered to all attendees through University Behavioral Center (UBC).
“We are proud to partner with the Brevard Prevention Coalition to host such an impactful event,” said Lara Chicone, Senior Behavioral Health Program Specialist at Parrish Medical Center. “Providing training and expanding access to evidence-based approaches like MAT is essential in addressing the opioid epidemic, reducing stigma and empowering professionals across all sectors.”
For more information on future training opportunities or other Brevard Prevention Coalition’s initiatives, please visit brevardprevention.org. For more information on Parrish Healthcare, please visit parrishhealthcare.com.
