Project: Hepatitis and Substance Abuse
Fellow: Eric Smiltneek
Mentor: John Beasley and Michael Miller

Fellow Bio:
I was born and grew up in Neenah, WI (near Appleton, 45 minutes south of Green Bay). After graduating from Neenah High School in 1997, I moved to Madison and studied biochemistry at the UW. As an undergraduate, I kept myself sane by running, joining the Hoofer's Sailing and Ski/Snowboard Clubs, intramural sports (frisbee, ice hockey, floor hockey, softball, etc), and attending a variety of concerts. After graduating from the UW in May 2001, I moved to Chicago and worked as a National AIDS Fund AmeriCorps member. I lived near Wrigley Field in Chicago and spend most of my time working at Haymarket (a drug and alcohol rehab center located just west of downtown). My most significant community service work was done in Chicago as part of the AmeriCorps program. I spend about 30 hours per week providing HIV testing and counseling services and giving HIV prevention lectures to Haymarket's clients. In addition to this work, I sat on several planning commission for HIV related service in the city of Chicago. I have had many unique and moving experiences while working in Chicago. The personal face that the experience put on HIV is impossible to describe. I now have many people that I would describe as friends that are inflicted with HIV and a host of other diseases. I look forward to continuing to serve as an advocate for this cause.

Project Description:

Improve awareness about viral hepatitis and substance abuse in the medical school and the community at large. I am planning to specifically work with the Meriter Hospital New Start program to develop educational curriculum for viral hepatitis among patients in the intensive outpatient program. I also am involved with the American Society of Addiction Medicine and plan to use my involvement to raise awareness of addiction medicine within the medical school.

Project Goals:

  • Increase healthy lifestyle choices among patients suffering from addiction related problems.
  • To help medical students to become more aware of addiction as a health care issue.
  • To provide opportunities for students interested in addiction medicine to explore the field.
  • To personally learn more about addiction medicine and working with addicted populations.
  • To become more involved with national health care policy work.

Challenges and Solutions:
  • Time is a big problem - I like to get overinvolved and must limit myself to stay sane.
  • Competition with other medical school related groups - I am hoping to work within preexisting groups like Medic and FMIG to improve awareness of substance abuse issues.

Next Steps:
Locus Project Objectives and Key Tasks Target Date for Completion
Meet staff and learn more about New Start program January 2003
Develop lecture material for use in viral hepatitis education Spring 2003
Work on additional educational services for New Start (STI, smoking education) and possible case management/peer education programs Fall 2003
Learn more about ASAM, attend national conference in May Spring 2003
Work on developing outlets for other students interested in addiction medicine Fall 2003
Resource Needs:

  • Educational props
  • diseased liver samples
  • presentation materials
  • hand outs

Last update:

December 9, 2002

Graduation Requirements Progress Chart
If you complete the requirements outlined below, you will graduate as a LOCUS fellow.

A check indicates the item has been completed.

Completed When What On-line
  Year 1: Beginning of Semester 2 New Project Report Submit Report
  Year 2: Beginning of Semester 1 Project Update Submit Update
  Year 2: Beginning of Semester 2 Project Update Submit Update
  Year 3: Beginning of third year Project Update Submit Update
  Year 4: August of fourth year 2-3 page final summary of project that includes a reflective evaluation of the project process N/A
  Ongoing Participate in program evaluation (written and/or focus group) View Options
  By the end of fourth year Select poster, presentation, paper, creative option or your own idea View Options

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