For the first time, our physicians and CRNAs united to celebrate both National CRNA Week and National Physician Anesthesiologists Week by supporting a charity event to raise awareness of the opioid epidemic and raise funds for Light of Life Rescue Mission, an organization that helps homeless people and those who often suffer from addiction. The event, “Medical Providers Against Opioid Addiction,” was organized by resident physician Philip Carullo, MD and was sponsored by UPMC Health Plan, the Pennsylvania Association of Nurse Anesthetists, and the Pennsylvania Society of Anesthesiologists.
Over 250 guests enjoyed a night of good music, drinks, food, and networking with colleagues from around the city at the Pittsburgh Aquarium, raising $8,200 for the Light of Life Charity.
In follow up to these efforts, Dr. Carullo attended the opening day/press release of the Prescribed to Death Memorial, developed by the National Safety Council for the victims of the opioid epidemic on display at the William Pitt Union on the University of Pittsburgh Oakland campus this week. On tour from Chicago, the memorial contains a wall of 22,000 pills individually carved with the faces of those who lost their lives to prescription opioid overdose last year. At the event, Dr. Carullo had the chance to talk with Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto about the recent charity event as well as an example of medical provider involvement and collaboration with community organizations.