Press Releases

Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital (HHMH) has received a grant from the California Bridge Program—a ground-breaking statewide initiative designed to increase access to treatment for opioid use disorders. HHMH will receive up to $129,000 to fund a new opioid addiction treatment program.

Now in its first month, the program enables the HHMH Emergency Department (ED) to treat anyone who is experiencing withdrawal from opioids or would like to stop taking them. The ED starts patients on medication-assisted treatment by administering an initial dose of buprenorphine for opioid addiction, a safer alternative to treating patients with methadone or prescription painkillers.

"The treatment program is one more service we are trying to offer this community as the opioid crisis is soaring," says ED Medical Director Dr. Michael Bogey. He welcomes all patients in need to come in for help. "We provide the first step," says Bogey.

A unique aspect of HHMH's opioid treatment program is the use of "telemedicine" to help patients secure ongoing treatment. The ED staff assists patients in connecting via an iPad with Bright Heart Health, a telemedicine provider. Patients meet medical staff and counselors via video conferencing and thereafter connect with Bright Heart from home or anywhere with an internet connection. Bright Heart prescribes and monitors medications, and counselors help develop strategies to combat opioid abuse.  In addition to BrightHeart Health, Hazel Hawkins Hospital also works with local recovery programs in San Benito and surrounding counties.

"The best thing about this program is that it's emergency department-based, which means we are available around-the-clock to help guide patients through recovery," says Eric Bergersen, PA-C, who is currently the main liaison with the CA Bridge staff and oversees implementation of the program at HHMH in conjunction with Dr. Bogey.

HHMH is an integral part of San Benito County's  Opioid Task Force, working toward ending the opioid epidemic locally through community-wide mobilization. Together with the task force, HHMH will provide outreach to homeless communities and shelters, treatment partners, and vulnerable patient populations in the community to make them aware of the new program.

"With this program, we are expanding the Emergency Department's ability to treat a medical condition just as serious as a heart attack or stroke, but with an unfortunate social stigma which we hope to dispel," says Bergersen.

The Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital Emergency Department is open 24 hours per day, 7 days per week and is located at 911 Sunset Drive in Hollister. For more information on the opioid treatment process, the Emergency Department can be reached at (831) 637-5711. In an emergency, always call 911.