Texas Health Institute is a non-profit, non-partisan public health institute. Since 1964, THI has served as a trusted, leading voice on public health and healthcare issues in Texas and throughout the nation. With their expertise, strategies, and nimble approach, they are an integral and essential partner in driving systems change efforts. THI works across and within sectors to facilitate connections and lead collaborative efforts to foster systems that provide opportunities for everyone to lead a healthy life. THI is thrilled to join forces with UT Austin and Superior to address the opioid crisis and advance the health of all.
The University of Texas at Austin College of Pharmacy has received a grant from the Texas Health & Human Services Commission to address the opioid crisis in collaboration with the Dell Medical School, Moody College of Communication, Steve Hicks School of Social Work, and School of Nursing. Expanding clinician and community education related to effective opioid harm reduction and opioid use disorder treatment is a major area of focus for this project. The UT Austin team is honored to partner with the Texas Health Institute and Superior HealthPlan to connect key decision-makers, support institutional collaborations, and guide evidence-based interventions that advance the health of vulnerable Texans
Superior HealthPlan is the largest government-sponsored managed care organization in Texas and is part of Centene. Superior organized the first Pain and Addiction Summit in 2018 and co-sponsored the second summit in 2019 with the Texas Society of Addiction Medicine and the Texas Health Institute. As a leader in transforming health care to a value- and outcomes-based integrated system of care, Superior is honored to co-sponsor and assist in the development of the summit in 2020. ​

Steering Committee

The Summit would not be possible without those on our steering committee who dedicate their time and energy to guiding the Summit’s direction and planning efforts. This outstanding committee is co-led by a team of four representatives from each of our partner organizations:
  • Ankit Sanghavi, Texas Health Institute
  • Daniel J. Crowe, Superior HealthPlan
  • Lucas Hill, The University of Texas at Austin College of Pharmacy
  • Glen Baumgart, The University of Texas at Austin College of Pharmacy 
 Steering Committee Members
  • Karen Batory, Texas Medical Association
  • Sue Bornstein, Texas Medical Home Initiative
  • Richard Bottner, Dell Seton Medical Center
  • Roxanna Cruz, Texas Association of Community Health Centers
  • Kirk Evoy, The University of Texas at Austin College of Pharmacy
  • Marc Fleming, UNT Health Science Center College of Pharmacy
  • Debbie Garza, Texas Pharmacy Association
  • Lori K. Holleran Steiker, The University of Texas at Austin Steve Hicks School of Social Work
  • Michael Johnsrud, The University of Texas at Austin College of Pharmacy Texas Center for Health Outcomes Research and Education (TxCORE)
  • James Langabeer, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston Emergency Opioid Engagement System
  • Marcia Ory, Texas A&M University Health Science Center
  • Melissa Rowan, Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute 
  • Jennifer Sharpe Potter,  UTHSA Long School of Medicine
  • Carlos Tirado, Texas Society of Addiction Medicine
  • Dawn Webb, Texas Nurses Association
Texas Health Institute