HUNTINGTON, W.Va. — The new director of addiction services for the Marshall University Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine and Marshall Health brings years of experience in behavioral health in Cabell County and surrounding areas to his new role.
Robert Hansen retired from Prestera Center in 2012 after 22 years.
Since then, he’s directed the Cabell Huntington Coalition for the Homeless and assisted with development and operations at Huntington’s Recovery Point.
“There’s no question that the opiate problem has gotten worse over the last few years,” he told MetroNews. “What I think is exciting is there’s such a level of commitment to do something about it at all levels.”
His role with Marshall University, one he was recruited for out of retirement, is a newly-created one.
“There’s a learning curve, so my first activities are really reaching out to people within the Marshall University community as well as the community at large and the state to catch up on what’s going on and begin assessing where I can have an impact,” Hansen said.
“It’s going to be great to be part of some of the solutions to this terrible drug epidemic.”
He’ll coordinate patient services and help facilitate the development of the School of Medicine’s response to the opioid crisis in greater Huntington which will take the form of a new department focused on addiction science.
“I’m looking at my position as kind of an advance person,” Hansen explained.
Dr. Joseph Shapiro, dean of Marshall University’s school of medicine, said, by this summer, Marshall planned to hire a new medical director and professor of addiction science to work with Hansen.
“As we continue to battle one of our country’s most pressing health issues, Marshall is committed to intensifying its efforts on all fronts,” Shapiro said in a statement.
“We must address the current problems of addiction, the behaviors and physical health concerns, all the while looking toward the future and determining how to best treat the long-term health care ramifications.”
It’s important work, Hansen said.
“The University is really throwing its resources behind coming up with solutions to this drug epidemic issue and I think, with a lot of hard work, we can make a difference in the coming years,” he said.