OASAS Commissioner Chinazo Cunningham Elected to the National Aca...

New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS) Commissioner Dr. Chinazo Cunningham has been elected to the National Academy of Medicine (NAM), a national organization dedicated to advancing science, informing national policy, and supporting action to address various aspects of health care across the country. This prestigious honor identifies Dr. Cunningham as a national and international leader in the field of medicine, recognizing her for her commitment to expanding and enhancing a full continuum of addiction services, and efforts to develop evidence-based advancements and innovations in treatment in New York State.

"I am extremely honored to be one of the newest members of the National Academy of Medicine," OASAS Commissioner Dr. Chinazo Cunningham said. "The academy and its members do incredible work advancing all aspects of medicine and health care. I am honored to join the academy and support its ongoing work, while highlighting the role that New York State continues to play as a national leader in the field of addiction services."

"This class of new members represents the most exceptional researchers and leaders in health and medicine, who have made significant breakthroughs, led the response to major public health challenges, and advanced health equity," said NAM President Victor J. Dzau. "Their expertise will be necessary to supporting NAM's work to address the pressing health and scientific challenges we face today. It is my privilege to welcome these esteemed individuals to the National Academy of Medicine."

New National Academy of Medicine members are nominated by current members in recognition of their work, with elections being held to formally select each year's class. A maximum of 100 members (90 regular members and 10 international) are elected to the Academy each year. As a member, Dr. Cunningham will participate in the organizations ongoing efforts to address critical issues in health, science, medicine, and related policy.

Thanks to Dr. Cunningham's ongoing work as Commissioner of OASAS, New York continues to lead the nation in the response to the ongoing opioid and overdose epidemic. Under Dr. Cunningham's leadership, preliminary data shows a drop in overdose deaths of 12 percent in New York State over the 12-month period between May 2023 and April 2024.

The Commissioner is spearheading innovative new efforts to address the crisis, including a new online ordering portal for fentanyl and xylazine test strips, and naloxone. New York has also been a national leader in making use of Opioid Settlement Funding, with more than $366 million made available to date to providers, municipalities, and community organizations to support their efforts to reach individuals impacted by addiction.

In addition, the Commissioner has supported new efforts to increase access to medication for addiction treatment, such as mobile medication units, new Opioid Treatment Programs (OTPs), integrated outpatient and OTP programs, and low-threshold buprenorphine access. To further increase access to medication for addiction, under her leadership New York State has also established a new program to provide all types of FDA-approved medication for addiction in all state and county correctional facilities. The Commissioner has also worked to significantly increase community-level outreach and engagement efforts that connect at-risk individuals with the services they need, and expand Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics, which provide an array of coordinated services to address substance use and/or mental health, including crisis intervention, screening and assessments, and treatment planning.

The New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports oversees one of the nation's largest systems of addiction services with approximately 1,700 prevention, treatment and recovery programs serving over 731,000 individuals per year. This includes the direct operation of 12 Addiction Treatment Centers where our doctors, nurses, and clinical staff provide inpatient and residential services to approximately 8,000 individuals per year.

New Yorkers struggling with an addiction, or whose loved ones are struggling, can find help and hope by calling the state's toll-free, 24-hour, 7-day-a-week HOPEline at 1-877-8-HOPENY (1-877-846-7369) or by texting HOPENY (Short Code 467369).

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