NORRISTOWN, Pa. (May 6, 2022) – Gaudenzia, Inc., the region’s leading nonprofit provider of treatment for substance use disorders, named Dr. Philip Moore its first Chief Medical Officer, as the organization seeks to bring greater standardization to its medical protocols and processes across Washington, DC and the three states that it serves.
Dr. Moore is a leading expert in SUD treatment and toxicology and has served as medical director for Gaudenzia’s Central and Western regions in Pennsylvania since October 2020. The move underscores the critical importance of Medication Assisted Treatment and other healthcare-related programs for Gaudenzia’s clients in its 51 facilities across Pennsylvania, Maryland and Delaware, as well as its RAP, Inc., subsidiary in Washington D.C.
“Dr. Moore brings the expertise and passion needed to further strengthen Gaudenzia’s wide array of health and medical services,” said Chief Executive Officer Dr. Dale Klatzker. “He has years of experience on the front lines of the opioid and stimulant epidemics afflicting our communities and is deeply committed to developing and upholding the highest standard of innovative care for our clients.”
Among Dr. Moore’s initial priorities will be the standardization of admissions criteria throughout Gaudenzia’s footprint. This step will help reduce the barriers for medical clearance during the admission process, which will reduce wait times, especially when calling the 24-hour treatment and referral HelpLine. He will also be focused on Medication Assisted Treatment across the regions, including programs for pregnant, post-partum and breastfeeding women, as well as MAT training for staff and consultants.
Dr. Moore will oversee a team of more than 100 medical professionals, who work with clients in Gaudenzia’s facilities.
“The paradigm of accessing medicine is fraught with uncertainty. This process is intensified for persons seeking addiction treatment because of stigma and past experiences, amongst other factors,” Dr. Moore said. “My goal is for Gaudenzia to be named in conversation when someone asks their neighbor, family, friend, co-worker for a recommendation for help and whom they would trust their loved ones to for treatment.”
Dr. Moore said his first priority is to unify medical services, starting with detoxification or withdrawal management within the organization.
“Treatment often starts in detox, so it is logical to initially focus my efforts within these facilities throughout the organization,” he said.
Dr. Moore received his doctorate of osteopathic medicine from Michigan State University. He also holds a bachelor of science degree in Briggs Physiology with a specialization in health and humanities from Michigan State.
Dr. Moore served a residency at Maine Medical Center/Tufts University School of Medicine in Portland, ME, and had a medical toxicology fellowship at the PinnacleHealth/Penn State University College of Medicine, Harrisburg Hospital. He has more than 15 years of experience in both rural and urban healthcare systems in inpatient, outpatient, primary and tertiary, academic and private practice environments.
Additional information about Gaudenzia’s programs can be found at www.gaudenzia.org. Those who are in need of treatment can call Gaudenzia’s 24/7 Treatment and Recovery Helpline at 833-976-HELP (4357).
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ABOUT GAUDENZIA, INC.
Gaudenzia, Inc. is one of the largest nonprofit drug and alcohol treatment and recovery providers in the United States, with 51 facilities operating in Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, and Washington, D.C. The agency serves about 15,000 individuals annually and operates 120 programs for substance use and co-occurring disorders for men and women. Since 1968, Gaudenzia has helped individuals and families affected by drug and alcohol dependency, mental illness and related conditions to achieve a better quality of life through a continuum of care and guided by a philosophy of mutual concern, personal responsibility, research and community education. Gaudenzia treats users in all demographics, including pregnant and parenting mothers, adolescents, people with co-occurring mental illness and substance use disorders, and more. Those seeking help can call Gaudenzia’s 24/7 Treatment and Recovery Helpline at 833-976-HELP (4357). For more information, visit www.Gaudenzia.org.
