The Kentucky Statewide Opioid Stewardship (KYOS) Emergency Department (ED) Bridge program was highlighted on October 13 and 14 at the 2025 Kentucky Opioid Symposium in Louisville. The Symposium was hosted by the Kentucky Opioid Abatement Advisory Commission (KYOAAC). Attorney General Russell Coleman and KYOAAC Executive Director Chris Evans kicked off the Symposium, among other state dignitaries in attendance.
ED Bridge team members spoke via a panel discussion on utilizing peer support specialists (PSS) in hospital EDs in the state. The KYSOS ED Bridge program team extends its thanks Monroe County Medical Center and Carroll County Memorial Hospital for participating in this important educational event. Panelists did an excellent job describing a bridge program, how PSS are integrated in the ED, and how integral PSS are in an ED bridge program. Each answered questions from their perspective providing the audience with knowledge about the services provided and ultimately lives saved because of the program implementation. The panel highlighted recent community events as well as showcasing the multidisciplinary team approaches at each bridge program.
Monroe County Medical Center was represented by Emily Shaw, RN/ED Director and Stacy Crews, PSS. Carroll County Memorial Hospital was represented by Sedayah Welch, PSS, and Bob Thompson, LCSW.
KYSOS commends all ED Bridge programs on the great strides they are making regarding harm reduction and bridging patients to recovery. The KYSOS ED Bridge Program is making a difference every day in patient’s lives across the Commonwealth.
Pictured left to right are KHA Senior Vice President of Data, Operations, and Innovation Melanie Landrum; Emily Shaw, RN/ED Director, Monroe County Medical Center; Stacy Crews, PSS, Monroe County Medical Center; Sedayah Welch, PSS, CCMH; Bob Thompson, LCSW, Carroll County Memorial Hospital; and Emily Henderson, KYSOS pharmacist.