Target Audience

Primary care physicians, nurses, mental health professionals, substance use disorder professionals, or clinic staff who support behavioral health services.

Purpose

Led by a panel of behavioral health experts, Behavioral Health ECHO helps participants learn best practices for treating common mental health conditions and connect with peers from around the state to discuss and learn best practices in identifying and treating behavioral health issues. The curriculum is delivered at no cost through case-based learning strategies via video conferencing technology.

Learning Objectives

1. Name the components of a perinatal harm reduction plan. 
2. Identify strategies to engage pregnant/postpartum patients in your practice who may not be ready for medication-assisted recovery. 
3. Increase knowledge in overdose prevention and harm reduction in the pregnant and parenting populations.  

Speaker

Nicole Gastala, MD

Dr. Gastala practices in the Department of Family Medicine at UI Health. Dr. Gastala focuses on preventative healthcare and chronic disease management for pediatric, adolescent, adult, and OB/GYN patients. She is interested in addiction medicine, including medication-assisted treatment for opioid-use disorders.

Education

• Residency: University of Iowa
• Medical School: Loyola University Stritch School of Medicine
• Board Certification: American Board of Family Medicine

Disclaimer

The information provided in this activity is for continuing education. It is not meant to substitute for the independent medical judgment of a healthcare provider relative to diagnostic and treatment options of a specific patient’s medical condition. The content of each presentation does not necessarily reflect the views of Des Moines University.