The Integrated Healthcare Approach for Opioid Use Disorder in Tribal Communities: The didgʷálič Wellness Center Model

This meeting will focus on the Integrated Health Care approach, a promising practice for Opioid Use Disorder (OUD). Attendees will leave with tools on how this approach can be implemented and incorporated in communities in order to strengthen the response to OUD. Ms. Dawn Lee, Chief Operating Officer, will provide insight into how the team at didgʷálič Wellness Center developed and successfully sustained an Integrated Health Care approach to substance use disorders in the Swinomish Tribe in Washington State.

About the Presenter

Dawn Lee is the Chief Operating Officer (COO) for the didgʷálic Wellness Center.  didgʷálič is the only tribally owned outpatient treatment facility that offers fully integrated primary care, substance use counseling, medication, and social services, all under one roof, to adults with substance use and behavioral health disorders. Dawn has been working in the field of substance use disorders since 1999.  She is licensed in Washington State as a Substance Use Disorder Professional (SUDP).  She has been working in tribal communities since 2004 and has worked for the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community for the past 10 years.  

In addition to her work as a SUDP, she has developed multiple programs within the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community which has increased her staff from 3 to 90 in 10 years.  For her work at didgʷálic her team won the Portland Area Indian Health Service Leadership Award, Recognition of Excellence Award and the Indian Health Service Directors Awards.