Opioid crisis will be discussed at Health Forum

Experts will discuss the opioid epidemic in Kent County and available resources for patients, health providers and caregivers during a Health Forum of West Michigan event.

Sponsored by the Office of the Vice Provost for Health, the event is April 5 from 8-9:30 a.m. in the DeVos Center, Loosemore Auditorium with a light breakfast beginning at 7:30 a.m. The event is free and open to the public; RSVP online at gvsu.edu/vphealth.

Panelists are Steve Alsum, executive director for Grand Rapids Red Project; Dr. Jayne E. Courts, executive medical director, geriatrics/internal medicine, for Mercy Health Saint Mary's/Mercy Health Physician Partners; Michelle LaJoye-Young, Kent County sheriff; and Ron Scott, consultant for EAP Services. M. Lisa Pagnucco, associate professor of physician assistant studies, will serve as moderator.

Health Forums are coordinated with community partners Michigan State University College of Human Medicine and the Michigan Center for Clinical Systems Improvement, and sponsorship is provided by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan.