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Forward2025 Mayo Clinic Opioid Conference: Evidence, Clinical Considerations and Best Practice
This course offers Live (in-person) and Livestream (virtual) attendance options
Course Directors: Benjamin Lai, M.B., B.Ch., B.A.O., Oludare, Olatoye, M.D., and Julie L. Cunningham, Pharm.D., R.PH.
September 11 - 13, 2025 - Hilton Nashville Downtown - Nashville, Tennessee
The Mayo Clinic Opioid Conference: Evidence, Clinical Considerations & Best Practice 2024 aims to highlight the shift in guidelines and public concern regarding the use of opioids in medical practice. This course provides the most up-to-date information regarding the appropriate indication for opioids in clinical practice. Topics cover the basics of opioid pharmacology and selection, evidence-based guidelines for opioid management, opioid tapering and legal considerations, as well as medical and interventional alternatives to opioids. In addition, the course covers a broad range of issues, including opioid use disorder and difficult patient conversations and guidelines to standardize the practice of opioid prescribing. This course includes lectures by experts in the field of pain medicine and opioid management as well as question and answer sessions.
Course Highlights
- Learn the most up-to-date information regarding the appropriate use and management of opioids in clinical practice.
- Discuss the basics of opioid pharmacology, selection, and side effect management, along with evidence-based guidelines for opioid management, tapering, and legal considerations, and medical and interventional alternatives to opioids.
- Address opioid use disorder (including use of medications for opioid use disorder such as buprenorphine), difficult patient conversations and guidelines to standardize the practice of opioid prescribing.
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:
- Discuss current state of the opioid epidemic.
- Discuss best practices on tapering opioids in clinical practice.
- Summarize evaluation and management of concurrent alcohol and opioid use disorder.
- Formulate strategies on how to have conversations with patients with challenging pain conditions such as pain sensitization and unexpected Urine Drug Testing results.
- Review non-opioid adjuvant procedural and pharmacological therapy for pain management.
- Review regulatory guidelines regarding opioid prescribing.
- Discuss the use of buprenorphine for pain management.
- Summarize the risks and benefits of medical cannabis for chronic pain management
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, September 11, 2025 | |
6:30 a.m. | Registration and Breakfast |
7:30 a.m.
| Welcome and Course Overview |
7:40 a.m.
| Addiction is not a Moral Failure Stephen Loyd, M.D. |
8:40 a.m.
| Clinical Pearls for Opioid Prescribing (DEA) Julie L. Cunningham, Pharm.D., R.Ph. |
9:20 a.m. | Refreshment Break |
9:35 a.m.
| Opioids in Medical Illness/Complex Pain Scenarios Dan K. Partain, M.D. |
10:15 a.m.
| Medical Marijuana and CBD Products: Pro Con Debate Thomas P. Pittelkow, D.O., M.P.H., Linda Huang, PharmD |
11:15 a.m.
| Buprenorphine: Use in Pain Management and Opioid Use Disorder (DEA) Mark E. Deyo-Svendsen, M.D. |
11:55 a.m.
| Alcohol and Opioid Use Disorders: What to Do? Robert W. Kirchoff, M.D., M.S. |
12:35 p.m. | Adjourn |
Lunch and Learn (Optional $100 Add-on, Lunch Included) (DEA) | |
1:00 p.m.
| Discussion with Dr. Loyd: Personal Stories of breaking the cycle with lessons from the opioid crisis. Stephen Loyd, M.D. |
2:30 p.m. | Adjourn |
| Friday, September 12, 2025 | |
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.
| Managing Challenges: Behaviors and Conversations Wesley P. Gilliam, Ph.D., L.P. |
8:10 a.m.
| Combining Opioids, Benzodiazepines and Other CNS Depressants Nathan T. Smith, Pharm.D., R.Ph., BCPS |
8:50 a.m.
| Interventional Alternatives for Pain Management Cole W. Cheney, M.D. |
9:30 a.m.
| Harm Reduction: Naloxone/New Illicit Drugs/Fentanyl Strips (DEA) Erez D. Britton, Paramedic |
10:10 a.m. | Refreshment Break |
10:25 a.m.
| The Role of the Nurse and Support Staff in Opioid Management Mary Beth Chambers, Kim A. Bremseth, M.S.N, R.N. |
11:05 a.m.
| Red Flags and Remedies: Drug Diversion Prevention for Prescribers Alissa M. Voils, Pharm.D, R.Ph., M.H.A. |
11:45 a.m.
| Nonopioid Adjuvants James C. Watson, M.D. |
12:25 p.m. | Adjourn |
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 Conversations (DEA) Loralie J. Langman, Ph.D., Benjamin Lai, M.B., B.Ch., B.A.O. |
8:10 a.m.
| Using Opioids in Older Adults (DEA) Daniel E. Sanchez Pellecer, M.D. |
8:50 a.m.
| Opioid Side Effects and Management (DEA) Molly Feely, M.D. |
9:30 a.m.
| Biopsychosocial Spiritual Model of Chronic Pain & OUD |
10:10 a.m. | Refreshment Break |
10:25 a.m.
| Acute Pain Management for the Patient on Chronic Opioids (DEA) Dare O. Olatoye, M.D. |
11:05 a.m.
| Tapering Opioids (DEA) Julie L. Cunningham, Pharm.D., R.Ph. |
11:45 a.m.
| Doctor, my Belly Hurts, and Everything Hurts! What to do with Central Sensitization Iris Wang, M.D. |
12:25 p.m. | Closing Remarks |
12:30 p.m. | Adjourn |
Hilton Nashville Downtown has reserved a block of guest rooms at a special group rate of $329 (USD) plus tax, single or double occupancy, run of house, per night, 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.
Reservations can be made directly in the room block online or by calling 1-615-620-1000. Specify that you are requesting a room in 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 14.75 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
AAPA
Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science has been authorized by the American Academy of PAs (AAPA) to award AAPA Category 1 CME credit for activities planned in accordance with AAPA CME Criteria. This activity is designated for 14.75 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 14.75 ACPE Knowledge contact hours. Participants should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
UAN Number: JA0000238-0000-25-079-L08-P
ANCC
Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science designates this activity for a maximum of 14.75 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 14.75 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.
| Program / Day | Credit(s) |
|---|---|
| Workshop / Thursday | 1.50 |
| General Session / Thursday | 4.25 |
| General Session / Friday | 4.50 |
| General Session / Saturday | 4.50 |
| General Session Total | 13.25 |
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
- 14.75 AAPA Category 1
- 14.25 ACPE
- 14.75 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™
- 14.75 ANCC
- 14.75 Attendance
- 14.75 IPCE
Please update your profile to let us know if you have dietary restrictions or access requirements.
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 Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
Mayo Clinic School of Continuous Professional Development (MCSCPD) strives to foster a learning environment in which individual differences are valued, allowing all to achieve their fullest potential.
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.