In this episode of Beyond Extraordinary, host Kristen Gradney, Chief Wellness Officer, sits down with University Medical Center New Orleans and LSU Health New Orleans' Dr. Seth Vignes, hospitalist and addiction medicine researcher, and Dr. Benjamin Springgate, an internal medicine physician, to talk about changing the way substance use disorder is treated across our community. They share what inspired their work, why expanding access to care matters and how LCMC Health is taking a system-wide approach to supporting people with substance use disorders.

From making Narcan more accessible to introducing substance use navigators and connecting people with ongoing care beyond the hospital, these efforts are designed to meet people wherever they are in their journey. The conversation also explores the importance of reducing stigma, integrating addiction medicine into primary care, equipping providers with the education and resources they need, and creating a culture of care that treats substance use disorder as a medical condition. Together, these efforts are helping expand access to lifesaving care and create meaningful, lasting change across the communities LCMC Health serves.