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ForwardMayo Clinic Multidisciplinary Opioid Conference: A United Front 2026
Course Directors : Benjamin Lai, M.B., B.Ch., B.A.O., Oludare, Olatoye, M.D., and Julie L. Cunningham, Pharm.D., R.PH.
October 1 - 3, 2026 - JW Marriott Tucson - Tucson, Arizona
This opioid-focused conference highlights the shift in guidelines regarding the use of opioids in medicine. This course provides the most up-to-date information regarding the appropriate indication for opioids in clinical practice. Topics include evidence-based guidelines on opioid prescribing, use of buprenorphine for pain, tapering, legal considerations, and management of opioid use disorder.
| Registration Fee(s) | |
|---|---|
| M.D., D.O., Ph.D. | $895 |
| Allied Health, NP, PA, Retirees | $895 |
Target Audience
This topic is important and has become a more visible public health issue. All fields within medicine that provide direct patient care are impacted, including medical, surgical and outpatient settings. All providers who prescribe (MD, DO, NP, PA, CNS) or administer (nurse, pharmacist, etc.) opioids to patients would benefit from attending this course. This course is particularly relevant for primary care providers that maintain and monitor patients on chronic opioid therapy.
Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this activity, participants should be able to:
- Summarize evaluation and management of concurrent alcohol and opioid use disorder.
- Review regulatory guidelines regarding opioid prescribing.
- Discuss current state of the opioid epidemic.
- Review non-opioid adjuvant procedural and pharmacological therapy for pain management.
- Discuss best practices on tapering opioids in clinical practice.
- Discuss the use of buprenorphine for pain management.
- Formulate strategies on how to have conversations with patients with challenging pain conditions such as pain central sensitization and opioid use disorder concerns.
Attendance at any Mayo Clinic course does not indicate or guarantee competence or proficiency in the skills, knowledge or performance of any care or procedure(s) which may be discussed or taught in this course.
Thursday, October 1, 2026 | |
6:30 a.m. | Registration and Breakfast |
7:30 a.m. | Welcome and Course Overview Dare O. Olatoye, M.D., Benjamin Lai, M.B., B.Ch., B.A.O., and Julie L. Cunningham, Pharm.D., R.Ph. |
7:40 a.m. | Current State: Updates, Recommendations, and Challenges Benjamin Lai, M.B., B.Ch., B.A.O. |
l8:40 a.m. | Clinical Pearls for Opioid Prescribing Halena Gazelka, M.D. |
9:20 a.m. | Demystifying Methadone: Patient Selection, Initiation, Monitoring, and Discontinuation Dan K. Partain, M.D. |
10:00 a.m. | Refreshment Break |
10:15 a.m. | Acute Pain Management for the Patient on Chronic Opioids Dare O. Olatoye, M.D. |
10:55 a.m. | Buprenorphine: Use in Pain Management and Opioid Use Disorder Mark E. Deyo-Svendsen, M.D. |
11:35 a.m. | Combining Opioids, Benzodiazepines and Other CNS Depressants Nathan T. Smith, Pharm.D., R.Ph., BCPS |
12:15 p.m. | Adjourn |
Friday, October 2, 2026 | |
6:30 a.m. | Breakfast |
7:25 a.m. | Welcome Dare O. Olatoye, M.D., Benjamin Lai, M.B., B.Ch., B.A.O., and Julie L. Cunningham, Pharm.D., R.Ph. |
7:30 a.m. | Biopsychosocial Spiritual Model of Chronic Pain & OUD. Holly Geyer, M.D. |
8:10 a.m. | Managing Challenges: Behaviors and Conversations Wesley P. Gilliam, Ph.D., L.P. |
8:50 a.m. | Interventional Alternatives for Pain Management Christopher S. Wie, M.D. |
9:30 a.m. | Novel approach to OUD treatment: Harm reduction, ED initiated protocols, and Transitions of Care Aaron Klassen, M.D., Michael Juntunen, MSOL, CP |
10:10 a.m. | Refreshment Break |
10:25 a.m. | Tapering Opioids Julie L. Cunningham, Pharm.D., R.Ph. |
11:05 a.m. | Red Flags and Remedies: Drug Diversion Prevention for Prescribers Alissa M. Voils, Pharm.D, M.H.A. |
11:45 a.m. | Nonopioid Adjuvants James C. Watson, M.D. |
12:25 p.m. | Adjourn |
Saturday, October 3, 2026 | |
6:30 a.m. | Breakfast |
7:25 a.m. | Welcome Dare O. Olatoye, M.D., Benjamin Lai, M.B., B.Ch., B.A.O., and Julie L. Cunningham, Pharm.D., R.Ph. |
7:30 a.m. | Urine Drug Testing and Patient Cases Loralie J. Langman, Ph.D., Benjamin Lai, M.B., B.Ch., B.A.O. |
8:10 a.m. | Using Opioids in Older Adults Daniel E. Sanchez Pellecer, M.D. |
8:50 a.m. | Opioid Side Effects and Management |
9:30 a.m. | Doctor, My Belly Hurts, and Everything Hurts! What to do with Central Sensitization Jean C. Fox, M.D. |
10:10 a.m. | Refreshment Break |
Challenging Cases | |
10:25 a.m. | When is it chronic pain and when is it OUD? Glenn R. Kauppila, D.O. |
10:50 a.m. | Alcohol and Opioid Use Disorders: What to Do? Robert W. Kirchoff, M.D., M.S. |
11:15 a.m. | The Role of the Nurse and Support Staff in Opioid Management Kim A. Bremseth, M.S.N, R.N. |
11:35 a.m. | Covering challenging case for colleague Tina Ardon, M.D., FAAFP |
12:00 p.m. | Q&A |
12:15 p.m. | Closing Remarks |
12:20 p.m. | Adjourn |
JW Marriott Tucson has reserved a block of guest rooms at a variation of special group rates for course participants and guests. Reduced rates apply three days before and three days after the course dates, based on group room availability. To ensure accommodations at the discounted rate, make your reservations directly with the hotel before the block is full or by August 19, 2025, whichever comes first.
Group rates based on a single or double occupancy.
ROH Standard Room: $339.00
Hotel room rates are subject to applicable state and local taxes (currently 12.05% + $4.00 per room per night) in effect at the time of check-out.
Reservations can be made online via the booking link or by calling 1‑520‑792‑3500. Please specify that you are requesting a room for the Mayo Clinic Opioid Conference.
All travel and lodging expenses are the sole responsibility of the individual registrant.
Accreditation Statement
In support of improving patient care, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.
Credit Statement(s):
AMA
Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science designates this live activity for a maximum of 13.550 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
AAFP
Application for CME credit has been filed with the American Academy of Family Physicians. Determination of credit is pending.
AAPA
Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science has been authorized by the American Academy of Physician Associates (AAPA) to award AAPA Category 1 CME credit for activities planned in accordance with AAPA CME Criteria. This activity is designated for 13.50 AAPA Category 1 CME credits. PAs should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation.
ACPE
Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science designates this educational activity for a maximum of 13.50 Knowledge-based contact hours. Participants should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
UAN Number: JA0000238-0000-26-086-L08-P
ANCC
Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science designates this activity for a maximum of 13.50 ANCC contact hours. Nurses should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
IPCE
This activity was planned by and for the healthcare team, and learners will receive 13.50 Interprofessional Continuing Education (IPCE) credit for learning and change.
Other Healthcare Professionals:
A record of attendance will be provided to all registrants for requesting credits in accordance with state nursing boards, specialty societies or other professional associations.
| Day | Credits |
| Thursday | 4.50 |
| Friday | 4.50 |
| Saturday | 4.50 |
For disclosure information regarding Mayo Clinic School of Continuous Professional Development accreditation review committee member(s) and staff, please go here to review disclosures.
Available Credit
- 13.50 AAPA Category 1
- 13.50 ACPE
- 13.50 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™
- 13.50 ANCC
- 13.50 Attendance
- 13.50 IPCE
Mayo Clinic recognizes these types of educational programs would not be possible without your support; however, Mayo Clinic Multidisciplinary Opioid Conference: A United Front 2026 is not able to offer any opportunities at this time.
| Registration Fee(s) | |
|---|---|
| M.D., D.O., Ph.D. | $895 |
| Allied Health, NP, PA, Retirees | $895 |
Before registering, please update your profile.
To claim credit for livestream participation in this course, learners must view the content during the hours posted for the live activity. This course is not approved for on-demand delivery.
Commitment to Belonging and Inclusion
Mayo Clinic School of Continuous Professional Development (MCSCPD) strives to foster a learning environment in which all individuals are valued, allowing all to achieve their fullest potential.
Every effort will be made to accommodate dietary requirements; however, some requests may not be feasible based on venue kitchen capabilities. Attendees will be contacted in advance if a dietary restriction cannot be fulfilled.
The Mayo Clinic School of Continuous Professional Development strives for fully accessible learning experiences. If you anticipate any barriers while attending this course, please reach out to the course coordinator who will be in touch with all registrants. If you need disability-related accommodations, please contact the Office of Wellness and Academic Support – Disability Access Services at MCCMS.DS@mayo.edu.
Cancellation and Refund Policy
View Cancellation and Refund Policy
All requests must be submitted in writing using the Contact Us Form.
Any use of this site constitutes your agreement to the Terms and Conditions of Registration.