York County Medical Society and Quality Insights have partnered to provide an In-Person CME presentation of the Pennsylvania Department of Health’s Comprehensive Approaches to Pain Management, Opioid Prescribing, and Substance Use Care curriculum. Each module below is one hour in length and meets PA Act 124 licensing requirements.
Join us on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, at the Outdoor Country Club [map link]. Registration begins at 5:00 PM with a dinner buffet served by 5:30 PM. The first module will begin promptly at 6PM followed by the second module at 7 PM. . Guest speakers Dr. Denise Vanacore-Chase Ph.D., FNP-BC, PMHNP-BC and Jason Sutt of Quality Insights will lead this session.
REGISTER HERE to reserve your seat.
Module 2: Pain Management Assessment and Informed Clinical Decision-Making for Opioid and Nonopioid Medications (1 hour)
Description: Develop a collaborative, stepped care approach to pain management informed by the biopsychosocial model of pain. List the steps in the patient assessment process when determining treatment options, including whether to initiate opioids for pain. Identify nonopioid medications for pain management. Describe noninvasive nonpharmacologic approaches to pain management. Explain how to use the Pennsylvania Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP) system and describe how it informs clinical decision-making.
Identify trends in the dispensation of controlled substances in Pennsylvania.
Module 5: Strategies to Enhance Patient-Clinician Communication for Pain Management Care (1 hour)
Description: Module 5 of the State’s Comprehensive Approaches to Pain Management, Opioid Prescribing, and Substance Use Care curriculum explores the critical role of patient centered communication in improving outcomes for individuals with chronic pain and substance use disorder (SUD). It begins by examining how empathetic, respectful interactions between clinicians and patients can enhance trust, strengthen therapeutic relationships, and lead to better adherence, satisfaction, and overall health outcomes. The module also highlights common challenges faced by patients with chronic pain such as stigma, functional limitations, mental health concerns, and difficulties navigating complex treatment plans and emphasizes how effective communication can help address these barriers.
Participants are introduced to the principles of motivational interviewing (MI) and how this evidence-based framework supports patient centered care by fostering collaboration, enhancing intrinsic motivation, and guiding behavior change in the context of pain management and SUD treatment. The module further defines shared decision making as a collaborative process and outlines practical techniques for integrating it into clinical practice, ensuring that patients are active partners in their care.
In addition, the module provides guidance on incorporating patient values, goals, and individual needs into personalized pain management plans. It concludes with actionable strategies to support patients over time, address treatment challenges, and promote sustained engagement in care, ultimately leading to more effective and compassionate clinical practice.
Continuing Medical Education Information
- 1 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ per module
- Meets PA Act 124 requirements
- Eligible for Patient Safety/Risk Management credit
- Pre- and post-evaluations required for CME/CE credit
Pre- and post-evaluations are required for CME/CE Credit. Pre-evaluation links will be provided during registration, and post-evaluation links will be provided at the conclusion of each session.
About the Speaker
Dr. Denise Vanacore is a board-certified Adult, Family and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. She is the Clinical Director of Hope Springs Health and a Professor of Nursing.
She specializes in integrated care, psychopharmacology, and medication-assisted treatment, including Suboxone.
In addition to her clinical work, she collaborates with Quality Insights and other educational partners to deliver education that supports evidence-based care for healthcare providers.
As overdose trends evolve and licensure deadlines approach, continued education and collaboration remain vital. We invite you to join us for this important session and be part of the ongoing effort to improve patient care and outcomes across Pennsylvania.
OVERDOSE TRENDS SHOW PROGRESS—BUT THE WORK CONTINUES
Freshly released provisional mortality data for 2025 from the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) offers a welcome sign of progress in addressing the overdose crisis. In the 12-month period ending December 2025, the United States recorded 69,973 predicted overdose deaths—a notable 14% decrease compared to the same timeframe in 2024.
While this sustained national decline is encouraging, the pace of improvement appears to be slowing. After sharp reductions from late 2023 through 2024, overdose rates began to stabilize between September 2024 and July 2025, followed by a brief dip and another leveling by October 2025. This emerging plateau is a critical reminder: although progress has been made, the crisis is far from over.
Pennsylvania reflects this national trend. According to NCHS provisional data, the Commonwealth experienced a 15.3% decrease in predicted overdose deaths, totaling 2,878 cases through December 2025. These findings closely align with data from the Pennsylvania Office of Drug Surveillance and Misuse Prevention (ODSMP), which reports 2,733 confirmed overdose deaths in 2025.
It is important to note that 2025 mortality data remain preliminary and are expected to increase as death certificate processing is finalized.
Similar to national patterns, Pennsylvania saw significant declines throughout 2023 and early 2024, followed by a plateau into late 2024 and early 2025. This leveling suggests that while harm-reduction efforts and safer prescribing practices are making an impact, the unpredictable nature of the illicit drug supply continues to pose serious risks. Ongoing clinical vigilance and adaptive, patient-centered strategies remain essential.
PENNSYLVANIA PHYSICIAN LICENCE RENEWAL: KEY DATE & REQUIREMENTS
With 2026 being a license renewal year, Pennsylvania physicians should plan ahead to meet continuing education requirements:
- DO License Renewal Deadline: October 31, 2026
- MD License Renewal Deadline: December 31, 2026
Pennsylvania requires physicians to complete opioid-related continuing education under Act 124. These requirements can also be applied toward the 8 hours of opioid education required for DEA-registered practitioners.
For full details on licensing requirements, visit:
Pennsylvania Medical Society License Renewal Checklist: https://www.pamedsoc.org/education-cme/pennsylvania-medical-license-renewal-checklist
Pennsylvania Professional Licensing Website: https://www.pa.gov/agencies/dos/programs/professional-licensing
To download the flyer for this event click here.
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