A new program from the University of New England (UNE) is set to train hundreds of health care professionals across rural Maine in effective strategies to address the ongoing opioid crisis. Dubbed the University of New England Northern Border Rural Workforce, the initiative will provide education to both students and existing professionals in the health care sector, focusing on critical opioid response tactics.
The need for such training is pressing, as many communities in Maine continue to feel the impact of the opioid epidemic. Access to care for opioid use disorder remains particularly challenging in rural areas, which are described as “grossly underserved,” according to Devon Sherwood, the project director and a professor in UNE’s pharmacy school.
Professionals and students who complete the program will learn to recognize opioid use disorders and engage patients in discussions about their conditions. Training will cover various treatment strategies, including medication options and patient management skills. Sherwood emphasized that the program aims to equip more health care providers to handle cases of opioid use disorder effectively.
Rebecca Ireland, the project manager, pointed out the lengthy waitlists for opioid and substance use treatment services in Maine. “We know that they’re not getting the services or their providers haven’t gotten the training to be able to be comfortable, confident, and effective in talking with them about that and providing care for that disorder,” Ireland stated. She noted that many positions remain unfilled in this area, complicating access to necessary training, especially for those working in rural settings.
The initiative is expected to launch no later than August 2026, although efforts are underway to begin sooner. Training will be integrated into the curricula for all UNE graduate programs, including pharmacy, psychiatric nurse practitioner, social work, physician assistant, and medicine, as well as undergraduate nursing and social work programs.
In addition to in-person training, an online program will be available for professionals associated with various partner organizations, such as Penobscot Community Health Care and Northern Light Health. The training will comprise different components, allowing providers to select modules that best suit their roles. This modular approach means even those in non-clinical positions will gain essential knowledge about opioid use disorder and how to support affected patients.
The initiative also collaborates with several health care education organizations, including the Maine Medical Association. Dr. James Jarvis, the association’s president, highlighted the significance of this training, stating, “By reducing training barriers and aligning statewide partners, the program will have a meaningful, measurable impact on patient safety and community health.” He expressed optimism that it would contribute to a reduction in overdose deaths throughout the state.
This comprehensive training program is backed by a four-year grant of $1.6 million from the federal Health Resources and Services Administration, awarded in September. Sherwood indicated that her team is focused on creating a sustainable program beyond the initial funding period, largely thanks to the flexibility offered by the online platform.
Over the four years of the program, UNE expects to train hundreds of students and health care employees. Following their education, participants will be encouraged to practice in rural settings. “Hopefully once they get in there and they’ve got this training, they could stay there, and it increases the ability to improve our numbers in the workforce,” Sherwood said.
As Maine grapples with the challenges posed by the opioid crisis, this initiative represents a critical step toward enhancing the skills and knowledge of health care professionals in underserved areas.
