Melissa Weimer, DO, MCR, FASAM
Biography
Melissa Weimer, DO, is board certified in Internal Medicine and Addiction Medicine and has a clinical and research focus on expanding access to substance use disorder treatment, particularly in the hospital setting. She also has fellowship training and years of experience in the management of complex pain, particularly for patients with concomitant opioid use disorders. She is the medical director of the Yale Addiction Medicine Consult Service (YAMCS), a multidisciplinary, hospital-based program to address the substance use disorder needs of patients admitted to Yale New Haven Hospital.
Dr. Weimer has worked on a local, state, and national level to improve access to evidence-based treatments for patients with substance use disorder. Her work to expand addiction treatment in hospital settings started at Oregon Health & Science University, where she worked with colleagues and community partners to create one of the nation's first hospital-based models to initiate addiction treatment while patients are hospitalized from a complication of their substance use.
An experienced educator, she teaches health care students and professionals about substance use disorders and their treatment to promote the expansion of the addiction medicine workforce. She additionally serves as the associate program director of the Yale Addiction Medicine Fellowship program.
Titles
- Associate Professor of Medicine (General Medicine) and of Epidemiology (Chronic Diseases)
- Medical Director of the Addiction Medicine Consult Service, Program in Addiction Medicine
- Associate Program Director of the Addiction Medicine Fellowship Program, Medicine
Education & Training
- MCROregon Health & Science University (2012)
- General Medicine FellowshipOregon Health & Science University (2012)
- ResidencyOregon Health & Science University (2010)
- InternshipOregon Health & Science University (2008)
- DOVirginia College of Osteopathic Medicine (2007)
- BAUniversity of Virginia, Religious Studies & Biology (2001)
Additional Information
- Top Addiction Medicine Doc: Portland Monthly Magazine (2017)
- Paper of the Month: A Chronic Opioid Therapy Dose Reduction Policy in Primary Care: Oregon Health & Science University (2016)
- Top Addiction Medicine Doc: Portland Monthly Magazine (2016)
- Top Addiction Medicine Doc: Portland Monthly Magazine (2015)
- Founders' Award: Society of General Internal Medicine (2013)
- Fellow Teaching Award: Oregon Health & Science University School of Medicine (2011)
- Extramural Research Loan Repayment Award: National Institute of Heath (2011)
- Medical Honor Society Induction: Sigma Sigma Phi Osteopathic Medical Honor Society (2007)
- AB of Preventive Medicine, Addiction Medicine (2018)
- AB of Internal Medicine, Internal Medicine (2010, recertified: 2020)
- Ambulatory Opioid Stewardship Committee, Yale New Haven Hospital (2020 - Present): Committee Member
- Clinical Practice Guideline Oversight and Methodology Group, American Society of Addiction Medicine (2020 - Present): Chair
- Recognizing and Eliminating disparities in Addiction through Culturally-Informed Healthcare (REACH) (2019 - Present): Mentor
- Opioid Stewardship Committee, Yale New Haven Hospital (2019 - Present): Committee Member
- Multidisciplinary Infective Endocarditis Workgroup, Yale New Haven Hospital (2019 - Present): Chair
- Cross-disciplinary Addiction Workgroup, Yale New Haven Hospital (2018 - Present): Committee Member
- American Society of Addiction Medicine (2017 - 2019): Alternate Region 1 Delegate
- Weimer M, Devoto A, Kansagara D, Safarian T, Brunner E, Stock A, Rastegar D, Nelson L, Tirado C, Korthuis P, Boyle M. The American Society of Addiction Medicine Clinical Practice Guideline Development Methodology. Journal Of Addiction Medicine 2024 PMID: 38752709, DOI: 10.1097/adm.0000000000001312.
- Westgard L, Sato T, Bradford W, Eaton E, Pilcher F, Hale A, Singh D, Martin M, Appa A, Meyer J, Weimer M, Barakat L, Felsen U, Akiyama M, Ridgway J, Grussing E, Thakarar K, White A, Mutelayi J, Krsak M, Montague B, Nijhawan A, Balakrishnan H, Marks L, Wurcel A. National HIV and HCV Screening Rates for Hospitalized People who Use Drugs Are Suboptimal and Heterogeneous Across 11 US Hospitals. Open Forum Infectious Diseases 2024, 11: ofae204. PMID: 38746950, PMCID: PMC11093397, DOI: 10.1093/ofid/ofae204.
- Wolfgang A, Weimer M, Na P, Fiellin D, Muvvala S. Long-Term Treatment of Opioid Use Disorder with Medications. 2023, 631-661. DOI: 10.1093/oxfordhb/9780197618431.013.23.
- Weimer M, Herring A, Kawasaki S, Meyer M, Kleykamp B, Ramsey K. ASAM Clinical Considerations: Buprenorphine Treatment of Opioid Use Disorder for Individuals Using High-potency Synthetic Opioids. Journal Of Addiction Medicine 2023, 17: 632-639. PMID: 37934520, DOI: 10.1097/adm.0000000000001202.
- Huxley‐Reicher Z, Puglisi L, Tetrault J, Weimer M, Stellini M, Bhandary‐Alexander J, Thomas K, Donroe J. Response to substance use during hospitalization: A survey study of current and ideal policies and practices. Journal Of Hospital Medicine 2023, 18: 829-834. PMID: 37475186, DOI: 10.1002/jhm.13162.
- Hull S, Jadbabaie F, Weimer M, Golden M, Vallabhajosyula P, Rosenfeld L. Revisiting Ethical Considerations in Recurrent Injection Drug Use–Related Infective Endocarditis. Annals Of Thoracic Surgery Short Reports 2023, 1: 369-371. DOI: 10.1016/j.atssr.2023.02.025.
- Calcaterra S, Buresh M, Weimer M. Better care at the bedside for hospitalized patients with opioid use disorder. Journal Of Hospital Medicine 2023, 18: 1134-1138. PMID: 37016586, PMCID: PMC10548352, DOI: 10.1002/jhm.13099.
- Adams K, Cohen S, Guerra M, Weimer M. Low-dose Initiation of Buprenorphine in Hospitalized Patients Using Buccal Buprenorphine: A Case Series. Journal Of Addiction Medicine 2023, 17: 474-476. PMID: 37579114, DOI: 10.1097/adm.0000000000001146.
- Christian N, Butner J, Evarts M, Weimer M. Precipitated Opioid Withdrawal Treated With Ketamine in a Hospitalized Patient: A Case Report. Journal Of Addiction Medicine 2023, 17: 488-490. PMID: 37579118, DOI: 10.1097/adm.0000000000001151.
- Rosenfeld L, Jain S, Amabile A, Geirsson A, Krane M, Weimer M. Multidisciplinary Management of Opioid Use–Related Infective Endocarditis: Treatment, QTc Values, and Cardiac Arrests due to Ventricular Fibrillation. Journal Of Clinical Medicine 2023, 12: 882. PMID: 36769531, PMCID: PMC9917424, DOI: 10.3390/jcm12030882.
- Edelman E, Rojas-Perez O, Nich C, Corvino J, Frankforter T, Gordon D, Jordan A, Paris, Jr M, Weimer M, Yates B, Williams E, Kiluk B. Promoting alcohol treatment engagement post-hospitalization with brief intervention, medications and CBT4CBT: protocol for a randomized clinical trial in a diverse patient population. Addiction Science & Clinical Practice 2023, 18: 55. PMID: 37726823, PMCID: PMC10510167, DOI: 10.1186/s13722-023-00407-9.
- Neale KJ, Weimer MB, Davis MP, Jones KF, Kullgren JG, Kale SS, Childers J, Broglio K, Merlin JS, Peck S, Francis SY, Bango J, Jones CA, Sager Z, Ho JJ. Top Ten Tips Palliative Care Clinicians Should Know About Buprenorphine. Journal Of Palliative Medicine 2022, 26: 120-130. PMID: 36067137, DOI: 10.1089/jpm.2022.0399.
- Baddour LM, Weimer MB, Wurcel AG, McElhinney DB, Marks LR, Fanucchi LC, Garrigos Z, Pettersson GB, DeSimone DC, Fever E. Management of Infective Endocarditis in People Who Inject Drugs: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association. Circulation 2022, 146: e187-e201. PMID: 36043414, DOI: 10.1161/cir.0000000000001090.
- Calcaterra SL, Bottner R, Martin M, Englander H, Weinstein ZM, Weimer MB, Lambert E, Ronan MV, Huerta S, Zaman T, Ullal M, Peterkin AF, Torres‐Lockhart K, Buresh M, O'Brien MT, Snyder H, Herzig SJ. Management of opioid use disorder, opioid withdrawal, and opioid overdose prevention in hospitalized adults: A systematic review of existing guidelines. Journal Of Hospital Medicine 2022, 17: 679-692. PMID: 35880821, PMCID: PMC9474657, DOI: 10.1002/jhm.12908.
- Calcaterra SL, Martin M, Bottner R, Englander H, Weinstein Z, Weimer MB, Lambert E, Herzig SJ. Management of opioid use disorder and associated conditions among hospitalized adults: A Consensus Statement from the Society of Hospital Medicine. Journal Of Hospital Medicine 2022, 17: 744-756. PMID: 35880813, PMCID: PMC9474708, DOI: 10.1002/jhm.12893.
- Jones K, Ho JJ, Merlin JS, Weimer M, Sager Z, Kapo J, Childers J. The X Waiver to Prescribe Buprenorphine: The Why and How. Journal Of Palliative Medicine 2022, 25: 1021-1023. PMID: 35775892, DOI: 10.1089/jpm.2022.0170.
- Torres‐Lockhart K, Lu TY, Weimer MB, Stein MR, Cunningham CO. Clinical Management of Opioid Withdrawal. Addiction 2022, 117: 2540-2550. PMID: 35112746, DOI: 10.1111/add.15818.
- Weimer MB, Fiellin DA. Low‐ and very low‐dose buprenorphine induction: new(ish) uses for an old(ish) medication? Addiction 2022, 117: 1507-1509. PMID: 35032081, DOI: 10.1111/add.15799.
- Muncan B, Kim EK, Amabile A, Weimer MB, Tiako M, Vallabhajosyula P, Kalogeropoulos AP, Geirsson A. Cardiac surgeons’ perspectives and practices regarding people who use drugs: A scoping review. Journal Of Cardiac Surgery 2022, 37: 630-639. PMID: 34989450, DOI: 10.1111/jocs.16201.
- Hickey T, Abelleira A, Acampora G, Becker WC, Falker CG, Nazario M, Weimer MB. Perioperative Buprenorphine Management A Multidisciplinary Approach. Medical Clinics Of North America 2022, 106: 169-185. PMID: 34823729, DOI: 10.1016/j.mcna.2021.09.001.
- Marks LR, Nolan NS, Liang SY, Durkin MJ, Weimer MB. Infectious Complications of Injection Drug Use. Medical Clinics Of North America 2022, 106: 187-200. PMID: 34823730, DOI: 10.1016/j.mcna.2021.08.006.
- Weimer MB. Addiction Care Matters: A Practical Guide to Substance Use Disorder Prevention, Screening, and Treatment. Medical Clinics Of North America 2022, 106: xix-xx. PMID: 34823738, DOI: 10.1016/j.mcna.2021.10.001.
- Tiako M, Mszar R, Brooks C, Bin Mahmood SU, Mori M, Vallabhajosyula P, Geirsson A, Weimer MB. Cardiac Surgeons’ Practices and Attitudes toward Addiction Care for Patients with Substance use Disorders. Substance Abuse 2022, 43: 206-211. PMID: 34038333, DOI: 10.1080/08897077.2021.1917475.
- Cohen SM, Weimer MB, Levander XA, Peckham AM, Tetrault JM, Morford KL. Low Dose Initiation of Buprenorphine: A Narrative Review and Practical Approach. Journal Of Addiction Medicine 2021, 16: 399-406. PMID: 34954746, DOI: 10.1097/adm.0000000000000945.
- Mori M, Amabile A, Weimer MB, Geirsson A. The opioid epidemic and endocarditis: Frontiers in the management of injection drug use–related endocarditis. JTCVS Open 2021, 8: 315-320. PMID: 36004152, PMCID: PMC9390675, DOI: 10.1016/j.xjon.2021.05.021.
- Bottner R, Bratberg J, Martin M, Weimer MB, Jordan A, Tierney M. Don't "Waive" Goodbye to Education for Opioid Use Disorder. NAM Perspectives 2021, 2021 PMID: 34901777, PMCID: PMC8654468, DOI: 10.31478/202110b.
- Weimer MB, Falker CG, Seval N, Golden M, Hull SC, Geirsson A, Vallabhajosyula P. The Need for Multidisciplinary Hospital Teams for Injection Drug Use-related Infective Endocarditis. Journal Of Addiction Medicine 2021, 16: 375-378. PMID: 34510088, DOI: 10.1097/adm.0000000000000916.
- Weimer MB, Wakeman SE, Saitz R. X-Waiver Exemption in the Treatment of Opioid Use Disorder—Reply. JAMA 2021, 326: 442-443. PMID: 34342621, DOI: 10.1001/jama.2021.8270.
- Chan CA, Tetrault JM, Fiellin DA, Weimer MB. SOAPs and SUDs: Patients With Substance Use Disorders and What Clinicians Should Know About the Cures Act. Journal Of Addiction Medicine 2021, 16: 141-142. PMID: 34049315, DOI: 10.1097/adm.0000000000000879.
- Harris MTH, Peterkin A, Bach P, Englander H, Lapidus E, Rolley T, Weimer MB, Weinstein ZM. Correction to: Adapting inpatient addiction medicine consult services during the COVID‑19 pandemic. Addiction Science & Clinical Practice 2021, 16: 25. PMID: 33910637, PMCID: PMC8079514, DOI: 10.1186/s13722-021-00232-y.
- Weimer MB, Wakeman SE, Saitz R. Removing One Barrier to Opioid Use Disorder Treatment. JAMA 2021, 325: 1147-1148. PMID: 33630020, DOI: 10.1001/jama.2021.0958.
- Harris MTH, Peterkin A, Bach P, Englander H, Lapidus E, Rolley T, Weimer MB, Weinstein ZM. Adapting inpatient addiction medicine consult services during the COVID-19 pandemic. Addiction Science & Clinical Practice 2021, 16: 13. PMID: 33627183, PMCID: PMC7903401, DOI: 10.1186/s13722-021-00221-1.
- Weimer M. Safe Pain Management with Opioids in Posttransplant Patients. 2021, 723-745. DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-53626-8_45.
- Nguemeni Tiako M, Mszar R, Brooks C, Mahmood SUB, Mori M, Geirsson A, Weimer MB. Cardiac Surgeons’ Treatment Approaches for Infective Endocarditis Based on Patients’ Substance Use History. Seminars In Thoracic And Cardiovascular Surgery 2020, 33: 703-709. PMID: 33279690, DOI: 10.1053/j.semtcvs.2020.11.031.
- Weimer MB, Guerra M, Morrow G, Adams K. Hospital-based Buprenorphine Micro-dose Initiation. Journal Of Addiction Medicine 2020, 15: 255-257. PMID: 32960820, DOI: 10.1097/adm.0000000000000745.
- Weimer MB, Tetrault JM, Fiellin DA. Patients With Opioid Use Disorder Deserve Trained Providers. Annals Of Internal Medicine 2020, 172: 774-775. PMID: 32479150, DOI: 10.7326/l20-0084.
- Kapo J, Blatt L, Tetrault J, Weimer M. Addiction Medicine Specialists in Your Back Pocket: Building an Essential Collaboration (FR434). Journal Of Pain And Symptom Management 2020, 59: 463-464. DOI: 10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2019.12.143.
- Safe Pain Management with Opioids in Post-Transplant PatientsWeimer MB. Chapter 44: Safe Pain Management with Opioids in Post-Transplant Patients. Blood and Bone Marrow Transplant Handbook: Comprehensive Guide to Patient Care. Springer Nature. Accepted. 2020
- Weimer MB, Tetrault JM, Fiellin DA. Patients With Opioid Use Disorder Deserve Trained Providers. Annals Of Internal Medicine 2019, 171: 931-932. PMID: 31766053, DOI: 10.7326/m19-2303.
- Weimer M, Morford K, Donroe J. Treatment of Opioid Use Disorder in the Acute Hospital Setting: a Critical Review of the Literature (2014–2019). Current Addiction Reports 2019, 6: 339-354. DOI: 10.1007/s40429-019-00267-x.
- Englander H, Mahoney S, Brandt K, Brown J, Dorfman C, Nydahl A, Weimer M, Gregg J. Tools to Support Hospital-Based Addiction Care. Journal Of Addiction Medicine 2019, Publish Ahead of Print: &na;. PMID: 30608265, DOI: 10.1097/adm.0000000000000487.
- Allow proven science guide opioid addiction treatmentWeimer M, Selzer J, Schatz D. Allow proven science guide opioid addiction treatment. Times Union Opinion. July 10, 2019.
- We must invest in addiction treatment providersWeimer M, Tetrault J, Allen JC. We must invest in addiction treatment providers. New Haven Register Op-Ed. March 25, 2019.
- Treatment of Opioid Use Disorder in the Acute Hospital Setting: a Critical Review of the Literature (2014–2019)Weimer M, Morford K, Donroe J. Treatment of Opioid Use Disorder in the Acute Hospital Setting: a Critical Review of the Literature (2014–2019). Current Addiction Reports. July 13, 2019. https://rdcu.be/bKhmc
- Englander H, Wilson T, Collins D, Phoutrides E, Weimer M, Korthuis PT, Calcagni J, Nicolaidis C. Lessons Learned from the Implementation of a Medically Enhanced Residential Treatment (MERT) Model Integrating Intravenous Antibiotics and Residential Addiction Treatment. Substance Abuse 2018, 39: 225-232. PMID: 29595367, PMCID: PMC6519053, DOI: 10.1080/08897077.2018.1452326.
- Serota DP, Kraft CS, Weimer MB. Treating the Symptom but Not the Underlying Disease in Infective Endocarditis: A Teachable Moment. JAMA Internal Medicine 2017, 177: 1026-1027. PMID: 28505250, DOI: 10.1001/jamainternmed.2017.1489.
- Englander H, Weimer M, Solotaroff R, Nicolaidis C, Chan B, Velez C, Noice A, Hartnett T, Blackburn E, Barnes P, Korthuis PT. Planning and Designing the Improving Addiction Care Team (IMPACT) for Hospitalized Adults with Substance Use Disorder. Journal Of Hospital Medicine 2017, 12: 339-342. PMID: 28459904, PMCID: PMC5542562, DOI: 10.12788/jhm.2736.
- Chou R, Deyo R, Friedly J, Skelly A, Hashimoto R, Weimer M, Fu R, Dana T, Kraegel P, Griffin J, Grusing S, Brodt ED. Nonpharmacologic Therapies for Low Back Pain: A Systematic Review for an American College of Physicians Clinical Practice Guideline. Annals Of Internal Medicine 2017, 166: 493-505. PMID: 28192793, DOI: 10.7326/m16-2459.
- Chou R, Deyo R, Friedly J, Skelly A, Weimer M, Fu R, Dana T, Kraegel P, Griffin J, Grusing S. Systemic Pharmacologic Therapies for Low Back Pain: A Systematic Review for an American College of Physicians Clinical Practice Guideline. Annals Of Internal Medicine 2017, 166: 480-492. PMID: 28192790, DOI: 10.7326/m16-2458.
- Korthuis PT, McCarty D, Weimer M, Bougatsos C, Blazina I, Zakher B, Grusing S, Devine B, Chou R. Primary Care-Based Models for the Treatment of Opioid Use Disorder: A Scoping Review. Annals Of Internal Medicine 2016, 166: 268-278. PMID: 27919103, PMCID: PMC5504692, DOI: 10.7326/m16-2149.
- Chou R, Korthuis PT, Weimer M, Bougatsos C, Blazina I, Zakher G, Grusing S, Devine B, McCarty D. Medication-Assisted Treatment Models of Care for Opioid Use Disorder in Primary Care Settings. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (US); 2016 Dec.
- Pasha AS, Weimer M. Symphalangism. Arthritis & Rheumatology 2016, 68: 2327-2327. PMID: 27214152, DOI: 10.1002/art.39752.
- Weimer MB, Hartung DM, Ahmed S, Nicolaidis C. A Chronic Opioid Therapy Dose Reduction Policy in Primary Care. Substance Abuse 2016, 37: 141-147. PMID: 26685018, DOI: 10.1080/08897077.2015.1129526.
- Lovejoy TI, Dobscha SK, Turk DC, Weimer MB, Morasco BJ. Correlates of prescription opioid therapy in Veterans with chronic pain and history of substance use disorder. The Journal Of Rehabilitation Research And Development 2016, 53: 25-36. PMID: 27005461, DOI: 10.1682/jrrd.2014.10.0230.
- Lovejoy T, Dobscha S, Turk D, Weimer M, Morasco B. (432) Predictors of prescription opioid therapy in patients with chronic pain and a history of substance use disorder. Journal Of Pain 2015, 16: s84. DOI: 10.1016/j.jpain.2015.01.351.
- Weimer M, Macey T, Nicolaidis C, Dobscha S, Morasco B. Sex differences in VA patients with chronic pain. Drug And Alcohol Dependence 2014, 140: e240. DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2014.02.665.
- Chou R, Weimer MB, Dana T. Methadone Overdose and Cardiac Arrhythmia Potential: Findings From a Review of the Evidence for an American Pain Society and College on Problems of Drug Dependence Clinical Practice Guideline. Journal Of Pain 2014, 15: 338-365. PMID: 24685459, DOI: 10.1016/j.jpain.2014.01.495.
- Weimer MB, Chou R. Research Gaps on Methadone Harms and Comparative Harms: Findings From a Review of the Evidence for an American Pain Society and College on Problems of Drug Dependence Clinical Practice Guideline. Journal Of Pain 2014, 15: 366-376. PMID: 24685460, DOI: 10.1016/j.jpain.2014.01.496.
- Weimer MB, Macey TA, Nicolaidis C, Dobscha SK, Duckart JP, Morasco BJ. Sex Differences in the Medical Care of VA Patients with Chronic Non-Cancer Pain. Pain Medicine 2013, 14: 1839-1847. PMID: 23802846, PMCID: PMC3866355, DOI: 10.1111/pme.12177.
- Macey TA, Weimer MB, Grimaldi EM, Dobscha SK, Morasco BJ. Patterns of care and side effects for patients prescribed methadone for treatment of chronic pain. Journal Of Opioid Management 2013, 9: 325-33. PMID: 24353045, PMCID: PMC4001870, DOI: 10.5055/jom.2013.0175.
- Oregon Health and Science University Partners Opioid Guideline for Safe Chronic Opioid Therapy Prescribing for Patients with Chronic Non-cancer PainWeimer MB, Mauer K, Chou R. Oregon Health and Science University Partners Opioid Guideline for Safe Chronic Opioid Therapy Prescribing for Patients with Chronic Non-cancer Pain. August 2013. Revised August 2017. Available at https://www.ohsu.edu/xd/health/who-we-are/ohsu-partners-clinical-guideli.cfm
- Systematic Evidence Review on Methadone Harms and Comparative HarmsChou R, Weimer MB, Dana T, Walker M, Mitchell JP. Systematic Evidence Review on Methadone Harms and Comparative Harms. Glenview, IL: American Pain Society; 2012.
- Weimer MB, Korthuis PT, Behonick GS, Wunsch MJ. The Source of Methadone in Overdose Deaths in Western Virginia in 2004. Journal Of Addiction Medicine 2011, 5: 188-202. PMID: 21844834, PMCID: PMC3156987, DOI: 10.1097/adm.0b013e318211c56a.
- Scott DR, Weimer M, English C, Shaker L, Ward W, Choi D, Cedfeldt A, Girard D. A Novel Approach to Increase Residents' Involvement in Reporting Adverse Events. Academic Medicine 2011, 86: 742-746. PMID: 21512369, DOI: 10.1097/acm.0b013e318217e12a.
- Medication for Opioid Use DisorderWeimer MB. Medication for Opioid Use Disorder. SUD 101 Core Curriculum. Provider Clinical Support System (PCSS-Now). https://pcssnow.org/education-training/sud-core-curriculum/ Enduring CME Material Online
- Pain Management and OpioidsWeimer MB. Pain Management and Opioids CME. NEJM Knowledge+. https://knowledgeplus.nejm.org/products/pain-management-and-opioids-cme/ Enduring CME Material Online
- Management of Chronic Pain: A Core Curriculum for Primary Care ProvidersWeimer MB, Chou R. Management of Chronic Pain: A Core Curriculum for Primary Care Providers. Provider Clinical Support System (PCSS-Now). https://pcssnow.org/education- training/treating-chronic-pain-core-curriculum/ Enduring CME Material Online
Biography
Melissa Weimer, DO, is board certified in Internal Medicine and Addiction Medicine and has a clinical and research focus on expanding access to substance use disorder treatment, particularly in the hospital setting. She also has fellowship training and years of experience in the management of complex pain, particularly for patients with concomitant opioid use disorders. She is the medical director of the Yale Addiction Medicine Consult Service (YAMCS), a multidisciplinary, hospital-based program to address the substance use disorder needs of patients admitted to Yale New Haven Hospital.
Dr. Weimer has worked on a local, state, and national level to improve access to evidence-based treatments for patients with substance use disorder. Her work to expand addiction treatment in hospital settings started at Oregon Health & Science University, where she worked with colleagues and community partners to create one of the nation's first hospital-based models to initiate addiction treatment while patients are hospitalized from a complication of their substance use.
An experienced educator, she teaches health care students and professionals about substance use disorders and their treatment to promote the expansion of the addiction medicine workforce. She additionally serves as the associate program director of the Yale Addiction Medicine Fellowship program.
Titles
- Associate Professor of Medicine (General Medicine) and of Epidemiology (Chronic Diseases)
- Medical Director of the Addiction Medicine Consult Service, Program in Addiction Medicine
- Associate Program Director of the Addiction Medicine Fellowship Program, Medicine
Education & Training
- MCROregon Health & Science University (2012)
- General Medicine FellowshipOregon Health & Science University (2012)
- ResidencyOregon Health & Science University (2010)
- InternshipOregon Health & Science University (2008)
- DOVirginia College of Osteopathic Medicine (2007)
- BAUniversity of Virginia, Religious Studies & Biology (2001)
Additional Information
- Top Addiction Medicine Doc: Portland Monthly Magazine (2017)
- Paper of the Month: A Chronic Opioid Therapy Dose Reduction Policy in Primary Care: Oregon Health & Science University (2016)
- Top Addiction Medicine Doc: Portland Monthly Magazine (2016)
- Top Addiction Medicine Doc: Portland Monthly Magazine (2015)
- Founders' Award: Society of General Internal Medicine (2013)
- Fellow Teaching Award: Oregon Health & Science University School of Medicine (2011)
- Extramural Research Loan Repayment Award: National Institute of Heath (2011)
- Medical Honor Society Induction: Sigma Sigma Phi Osteopathic Medical Honor Society (2007)
- AB of Preventive Medicine, Addiction Medicine (2018)
- AB of Internal Medicine, Internal Medicine (2010, recertified: 2020)
- Ambulatory Opioid Stewardship Committee, Yale New Haven Hospital (2020 - Present): Committee Member
- Clinical Practice Guideline Oversight and Methodology Group, American Society of Addiction Medicine (2020 - Present): Chair
- Recognizing and Eliminating disparities in Addiction through Culturally-Informed Healthcare (REACH) (2019 - Present): Mentor
- Opioid Stewardship Committee, Yale New Haven Hospital (2019 - Present): Committee Member
- Multidisciplinary Infective Endocarditis Workgroup, Yale New Haven Hospital (2019 - Present): Chair
- Cross-disciplinary Addiction Workgroup, Yale New Haven Hospital (2018 - Present): Committee Member
- American Society of Addiction Medicine (2017 - 2019): Alternate Region 1 Delegate
- Weimer M, Devoto A, Kansagara D, Safarian T, Brunner E, Stock A, Rastegar D, Nelson L, Tirado C, Korthuis P, Boyle M. The American Society of Addiction Medicine Clinical Practice Guideline Development Methodology. Journal Of Addiction Medicine 2024 PMID: 38752709, DOI: 10.1097/adm.0000000000001312.
- Westgard L, Sato T, Bradford W, Eaton E, Pilcher F, Hale A, Singh D, Martin M, Appa A, Meyer J, Weimer M, Barakat L, Felsen U, Akiyama M, Ridgway J, Grussing E, Thakarar K, White A, Mutelayi J, Krsak M, Montague B, Nijhawan A, Balakrishnan H, Marks L, Wurcel A. National HIV and HCV Screening Rates for Hospitalized People who Use Drugs Are Suboptimal and Heterogeneous Across 11 US Hospitals. Open Forum Infectious Diseases 2024, 11: ofae204. PMID: 38746950, PMCID: PMC11093397, DOI: 10.1093/ofid/ofae204.
- Wolfgang A, Weimer M, Na P, Fiellin D, Muvvala S. Long-Term Treatment of Opioid Use Disorder with Medications. 2023, 631-661. DOI: 10.1093/oxfordhb/9780197618431.013.23.
- Weimer M, Herring A, Kawasaki S, Meyer M, Kleykamp B, Ramsey K. ASAM Clinical Considerations: Buprenorphine Treatment of Opioid Use Disorder for Individuals Using High-potency Synthetic Opioids. Journal Of Addiction Medicine 2023, 17: 632-639. PMID: 37934520, DOI: 10.1097/adm.0000000000001202.
- Huxley‐Reicher Z, Puglisi L, Tetrault J, Weimer M, Stellini M, Bhandary‐Alexander J, Thomas K, Donroe J. Response to substance use during hospitalization: A survey study of current and ideal policies and practices. Journal Of Hospital Medicine 2023, 18: 829-834. PMID: 37475186, DOI: 10.1002/jhm.13162.
- Hull S, Jadbabaie F, Weimer M, Golden M, Vallabhajosyula P, Rosenfeld L. Revisiting Ethical Considerations in Recurrent Injection Drug Use–Related Infective Endocarditis. Annals Of Thoracic Surgery Short Reports 2023, 1: 369-371. DOI: 10.1016/j.atssr.2023.02.025.
- Calcaterra S, Buresh M, Weimer M. Better care at the bedside for hospitalized patients with opioid use disorder. Journal Of Hospital Medicine 2023, 18: 1134-1138. PMID: 37016586, PMCID: PMC10548352, DOI: 10.1002/jhm.13099.
- Adams K, Cohen S, Guerra M, Weimer M. Low-dose Initiation of Buprenorphine in Hospitalized Patients Using Buccal Buprenorphine: A Case Series. Journal Of Addiction Medicine 2023, 17: 474-476. PMID: 37579114, DOI: 10.1097/adm.0000000000001146.
- Christian N, Butner J, Evarts M, Weimer M. Precipitated Opioid Withdrawal Treated With Ketamine in a Hospitalized Patient: A Case Report. Journal Of Addiction Medicine 2023, 17: 488-490. PMID: 37579118, DOI: 10.1097/adm.0000000000001151.
- Rosenfeld L, Jain S, Amabile A, Geirsson A, Krane M, Weimer M. Multidisciplinary Management of Opioid Use–Related Infective Endocarditis: Treatment, QTc Values, and Cardiac Arrests due to Ventricular Fibrillation. Journal Of Clinical Medicine 2023, 12: 882. PMID: 36769531, PMCID: PMC9917424, DOI: 10.3390/jcm12030882.
- Edelman E, Rojas-Perez O, Nich C, Corvino J, Frankforter T, Gordon D, Jordan A, Paris, Jr M, Weimer M, Yates B, Williams E, Kiluk B. Promoting alcohol treatment engagement post-hospitalization with brief intervention, medications and CBT4CBT: protocol for a randomized clinical trial in a diverse patient population. Addiction Science & Clinical Practice 2023, 18: 55. PMID: 37726823, PMCID: PMC10510167, DOI: 10.1186/s13722-023-00407-9.
- Neale KJ, Weimer MB, Davis MP, Jones KF, Kullgren JG, Kale SS, Childers J, Broglio K, Merlin JS, Peck S, Francis SY, Bango J, Jones CA, Sager Z, Ho JJ. Top Ten Tips Palliative Care Clinicians Should Know About Buprenorphine. Journal Of Palliative Medicine 2022, 26: 120-130. PMID: 36067137, DOI: 10.1089/jpm.2022.0399.
- Baddour LM, Weimer MB, Wurcel AG, McElhinney DB, Marks LR, Fanucchi LC, Garrigos Z, Pettersson GB, DeSimone DC, Fever E. Management of Infective Endocarditis in People Who Inject Drugs: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association. Circulation 2022, 146: e187-e201. PMID: 36043414, DOI: 10.1161/cir.0000000000001090.
- Calcaterra SL, Bottner R, Martin M, Englander H, Weinstein ZM, Weimer MB, Lambert E, Ronan MV, Huerta S, Zaman T, Ullal M, Peterkin AF, Torres‐Lockhart K, Buresh M, O'Brien MT, Snyder H, Herzig SJ. Management of opioid use disorder, opioid withdrawal, and opioid overdose prevention in hospitalized adults: A systematic review of existing guidelines. Journal Of Hospital Medicine 2022, 17: 679-692. PMID: 35880821, PMCID: PMC9474657, DOI: 10.1002/jhm.12908.
- Calcaterra SL, Martin M, Bottner R, Englander H, Weinstein Z, Weimer MB, Lambert E, Herzig SJ. Management of opioid use disorder and associated conditions among hospitalized adults: A Consensus Statement from the Society of Hospital Medicine. Journal Of Hospital Medicine 2022, 17: 744-756. PMID: 35880813, PMCID: PMC9474708, DOI: 10.1002/jhm.12893.
- Jones K, Ho JJ, Merlin JS, Weimer M, Sager Z, Kapo J, Childers J. The X Waiver to Prescribe Buprenorphine: The Why and How. Journal Of Palliative Medicine 2022, 25: 1021-1023. PMID: 35775892, DOI: 10.1089/jpm.2022.0170.
- Torres‐Lockhart K, Lu TY, Weimer MB, Stein MR, Cunningham CO. Clinical Management of Opioid Withdrawal. Addiction 2022, 117: 2540-2550. PMID: 35112746, DOI: 10.1111/add.15818.
- Weimer MB, Fiellin DA. Low‐ and very low‐dose buprenorphine induction: new(ish) uses for an old(ish) medication? Addiction 2022, 117: 1507-1509. PMID: 35032081, DOI: 10.1111/add.15799.
- Muncan B, Kim EK, Amabile A, Weimer MB, Tiako M, Vallabhajosyula P, Kalogeropoulos AP, Geirsson A. Cardiac surgeons’ perspectives and practices regarding people who use drugs: A scoping review. Journal Of Cardiac Surgery 2022, 37: 630-639. PMID: 34989450, DOI: 10.1111/jocs.16201.
- Hickey T, Abelleira A, Acampora G, Becker WC, Falker CG, Nazario M, Weimer MB. Perioperative Buprenorphine Management A Multidisciplinary Approach. Medical Clinics Of North America 2022, 106: 169-185. PMID: 34823729, DOI: 10.1016/j.mcna.2021.09.001.
- Marks LR, Nolan NS, Liang SY, Durkin MJ, Weimer MB. Infectious Complications of Injection Drug Use. Medical Clinics Of North America 2022, 106: 187-200. PMID: 34823730, DOI: 10.1016/j.mcna.2021.08.006.
- Weimer MB. Addiction Care Matters: A Practical Guide to Substance Use Disorder Prevention, Screening, and Treatment. Medical Clinics Of North America 2022, 106: xix-xx. PMID: 34823738, DOI: 10.1016/j.mcna.2021.10.001.
- Tiako M, Mszar R, Brooks C, Bin Mahmood SU, Mori M, Vallabhajosyula P, Geirsson A, Weimer MB. Cardiac Surgeons’ Practices and Attitudes toward Addiction Care for Patients with Substance use Disorders. Substance Abuse 2022, 43: 206-211. PMID: 34038333, DOI: 10.1080/08897077.2021.1917475.
- Cohen SM, Weimer MB, Levander XA, Peckham AM, Tetrault JM, Morford KL. Low Dose Initiation of Buprenorphine: A Narrative Review and Practical Approach. Journal Of Addiction Medicine 2021, 16: 399-406. PMID: 34954746, DOI: 10.1097/adm.0000000000000945.
- Mori M, Amabile A, Weimer MB, Geirsson A. The opioid epidemic and endocarditis: Frontiers in the management of injection drug use–related endocarditis. JTCVS Open 2021, 8: 315-320. PMID: 36004152, PMCID: PMC9390675, DOI: 10.1016/j.xjon.2021.05.021.
- Bottner R, Bratberg J, Martin M, Weimer MB, Jordan A, Tierney M. Don't "Waive" Goodbye to Education for Opioid Use Disorder. NAM Perspectives 2021, 2021 PMID: 34901777, PMCID: PMC8654468, DOI: 10.31478/202110b.
- Weimer MB, Falker CG, Seval N, Golden M, Hull SC, Geirsson A, Vallabhajosyula P. The Need for Multidisciplinary Hospital Teams for Injection Drug Use-related Infective Endocarditis. Journal Of Addiction Medicine 2021, 16: 375-378. PMID: 34510088, DOI: 10.1097/adm.0000000000000916.
- Weimer MB, Wakeman SE, Saitz R. X-Waiver Exemption in the Treatment of Opioid Use Disorder—Reply. JAMA 2021, 326: 442-443. PMID: 34342621, DOI: 10.1001/jama.2021.8270.
- Chan CA, Tetrault JM, Fiellin DA, Weimer MB. SOAPs and SUDs: Patients With Substance Use Disorders and What Clinicians Should Know About the Cures Act. Journal Of Addiction Medicine 2021, 16: 141-142. PMID: 34049315, DOI: 10.1097/adm.0000000000000879.
- Harris MTH, Peterkin A, Bach P, Englander H, Lapidus E, Rolley T, Weimer MB, Weinstein ZM. Correction to: Adapting inpatient addiction medicine consult services during the COVID‑19 pandemic. Addiction Science & Clinical Practice 2021, 16: 25. PMID: 33910637, PMCID: PMC8079514, DOI: 10.1186/s13722-021-00232-y.
- Weimer MB, Wakeman SE, Saitz R. Removing One Barrier to Opioid Use Disorder Treatment. JAMA 2021, 325: 1147-1148. PMID: 33630020, DOI: 10.1001/jama.2021.0958.
- Harris MTH, Peterkin A, Bach P, Englander H, Lapidus E, Rolley T, Weimer MB, Weinstein ZM. Adapting inpatient addiction medicine consult services during the COVID-19 pandemic. Addiction Science & Clinical Practice 2021, 16: 13. PMID: 33627183, PMCID: PMC7903401, DOI: 10.1186/s13722-021-00221-1.
- Weimer M. Safe Pain Management with Opioids in Posttransplant Patients. 2021, 723-745. DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-53626-8_45.
- Nguemeni Tiako M, Mszar R, Brooks C, Mahmood SUB, Mori M, Geirsson A, Weimer MB. Cardiac Surgeons’ Treatment Approaches for Infective Endocarditis Based on Patients’ Substance Use History. Seminars In Thoracic And Cardiovascular Surgery 2020, 33: 703-709. PMID: 33279690, DOI: 10.1053/j.semtcvs.2020.11.031.
- Weimer MB, Guerra M, Morrow G, Adams K. Hospital-based Buprenorphine Micro-dose Initiation. Journal Of Addiction Medicine 2020, 15: 255-257. PMID: 32960820, DOI: 10.1097/adm.0000000000000745.
- Weimer MB, Tetrault JM, Fiellin DA. Patients With Opioid Use Disorder Deserve Trained Providers. Annals Of Internal Medicine 2020, 172: 774-775. PMID: 32479150, DOI: 10.7326/l20-0084.
- Kapo J, Blatt L, Tetrault J, Weimer M. Addiction Medicine Specialists in Your Back Pocket: Building an Essential Collaboration (FR434). Journal Of Pain And Symptom Management 2020, 59: 463-464. DOI: 10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2019.12.143.
- Safe Pain Management with Opioids in Post-Transplant PatientsWeimer MB. Chapter 44: Safe Pain Management with Opioids in Post-Transplant Patients. Blood and Bone Marrow Transplant Handbook: Comprehensive Guide to Patient Care. Springer Nature. Accepted. 2020
- Weimer MB, Tetrault JM, Fiellin DA. Patients With Opioid Use Disorder Deserve Trained Providers. Annals Of Internal Medicine 2019, 171: 931-932. PMID: 31766053, DOI: 10.7326/m19-2303.
- Weimer M, Morford K, Donroe J. Treatment of Opioid Use Disorder in the Acute Hospital Setting: a Critical Review of the Literature (2014–2019). Current Addiction Reports 2019, 6: 339-354. DOI: 10.1007/s40429-019-00267-x.
- Englander H, Mahoney S, Brandt K, Brown J, Dorfman C, Nydahl A, Weimer M, Gregg J. Tools to Support Hospital-Based Addiction Care. Journal Of Addiction Medicine 2019, Publish Ahead of Print: &na;. PMID: 30608265, DOI: 10.1097/adm.0000000000000487.
- Allow proven science guide opioid addiction treatmentWeimer M, Selzer J, Schatz D. Allow proven science guide opioid addiction treatment. Times Union Opinion. July 10, 2019.
- We must invest in addiction treatment providersWeimer M, Tetrault J, Allen JC. We must invest in addiction treatment providers. New Haven Register Op-Ed. March 25, 2019.
- Treatment of Opioid Use Disorder in the Acute Hospital Setting: a Critical Review of the Literature (2014–2019)Weimer M, Morford K, Donroe J. Treatment of Opioid Use Disorder in the Acute Hospital Setting: a Critical Review of the Literature (2014–2019). Current Addiction Reports. July 13, 2019. https://rdcu.be/bKhmc
- Englander H, Wilson T, Collins D, Phoutrides E, Weimer M, Korthuis PT, Calcagni J, Nicolaidis C. Lessons Learned from the Implementation of a Medically Enhanced Residential Treatment (MERT) Model Integrating Intravenous Antibiotics and Residential Addiction Treatment. Substance Abuse 2018, 39: 225-232. PMID: 29595367, PMCID: PMC6519053, DOI: 10.1080/08897077.2018.1452326.
- Serota DP, Kraft CS, Weimer MB. Treating the Symptom but Not the Underlying Disease in Infective Endocarditis: A Teachable Moment. JAMA Internal Medicine 2017, 177: 1026-1027. PMID: 28505250, DOI: 10.1001/jamainternmed.2017.1489.
- Englander H, Weimer M, Solotaroff R, Nicolaidis C, Chan B, Velez C, Noice A, Hartnett T, Blackburn E, Barnes P, Korthuis PT. Planning and Designing the Improving Addiction Care Team (IMPACT) for Hospitalized Adults with Substance Use Disorder. Journal Of Hospital Medicine 2017, 12: 339-342. PMID: 28459904, PMCID: PMC5542562, DOI: 10.12788/jhm.2736.
- Chou R, Deyo R, Friedly J, Skelly A, Hashimoto R, Weimer M, Fu R, Dana T, Kraegel P, Griffin J, Grusing S, Brodt ED. Nonpharmacologic Therapies for Low Back Pain: A Systematic Review for an American College of Physicians Clinical Practice Guideline. Annals Of Internal Medicine 2017, 166: 493-505. PMID: 28192793, DOI: 10.7326/m16-2459.
- Chou R, Deyo R, Friedly J, Skelly A, Weimer M, Fu R, Dana T, Kraegel P, Griffin J, Grusing S. Systemic Pharmacologic Therapies for Low Back Pain: A Systematic Review for an American College of Physicians Clinical Practice Guideline. Annals Of Internal Medicine 2017, 166: 480-492. PMID: 28192790, DOI: 10.7326/m16-2458.
- Korthuis PT, McCarty D, Weimer M, Bougatsos C, Blazina I, Zakher B, Grusing S, Devine B, Chou R. Primary Care-Based Models for the Treatment of Opioid Use Disorder: A Scoping Review. Annals Of Internal Medicine 2016, 166: 268-278. PMID: 27919103, PMCID: PMC5504692, DOI: 10.7326/m16-2149.
- Chou R, Korthuis PT, Weimer M, Bougatsos C, Blazina I, Zakher G, Grusing S, Devine B, McCarty D. Medication-Assisted Treatment Models of Care for Opioid Use Disorder in Primary Care Settings. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (US); 2016 Dec.
- Pasha AS, Weimer M. Symphalangism. Arthritis & Rheumatology 2016, 68: 2327-2327. PMID: 27214152, DOI: 10.1002/art.39752.
- Weimer MB, Hartung DM, Ahmed S, Nicolaidis C. A Chronic Opioid Therapy Dose Reduction Policy in Primary Care. Substance Abuse 2016, 37: 141-147. PMID: 26685018, DOI: 10.1080/08897077.2015.1129526.
- Lovejoy TI, Dobscha SK, Turk DC, Weimer MB, Morasco BJ. Correlates of prescription opioid therapy in Veterans with chronic pain and history of substance use disorder. The Journal Of Rehabilitation Research And Development 2016, 53: 25-36. PMID: 27005461, DOI: 10.1682/jrrd.2014.10.0230.
- Lovejoy T, Dobscha S, Turk D, Weimer M, Morasco B. (432) Predictors of prescription opioid therapy in patients with chronic pain and a history of substance use disorder. Journal Of Pain 2015, 16: s84. DOI: 10.1016/j.jpain.2015.01.351.
- Weimer M, Macey T, Nicolaidis C, Dobscha S, Morasco B. Sex differences in VA patients with chronic pain. Drug And Alcohol Dependence 2014, 140: e240. DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2014.02.665.
- Chou R, Weimer MB, Dana T. Methadone Overdose and Cardiac Arrhythmia Potential: Findings From a Review of the Evidence for an American Pain Society and College on Problems of Drug Dependence Clinical Practice Guideline. Journal Of Pain 2014, 15: 338-365. PMID: 24685459, DOI: 10.1016/j.jpain.2014.01.495.
- Weimer MB, Chou R. Research Gaps on Methadone Harms and Comparative Harms: Findings From a Review of the Evidence for an American Pain Society and College on Problems of Drug Dependence Clinical Practice Guideline. Journal Of Pain 2014, 15: 366-376. PMID: 24685460, DOI: 10.1016/j.jpain.2014.01.496.
- Weimer MB, Macey TA, Nicolaidis C, Dobscha SK, Duckart JP, Morasco BJ. Sex Differences in the Medical Care of VA Patients with Chronic Non-Cancer Pain. Pain Medicine 2013, 14: 1839-1847. PMID: 23802846, PMCID: PMC3866355, DOI: 10.1111/pme.12177.
- Macey TA, Weimer MB, Grimaldi EM, Dobscha SK, Morasco BJ. Patterns of care and side effects for patients prescribed methadone for treatment of chronic pain. Journal Of Opioid Management 2013, 9: 325-33. PMID: 24353045, PMCID: PMC4001870, DOI: 10.5055/jom.2013.0175.
- Oregon Health and Science University Partners Opioid Guideline for Safe Chronic Opioid Therapy Prescribing for Patients with Chronic Non-cancer PainWeimer MB, Mauer K, Chou R. Oregon Health and Science University Partners Opioid Guideline for Safe Chronic Opioid Therapy Prescribing for Patients with Chronic Non-cancer Pain. August 2013. Revised August 2017. Available at https://www.ohsu.edu/xd/health/who-we-are/ohsu-partners-clinical-guideli.cfm
- Systematic Evidence Review on Methadone Harms and Comparative HarmsChou R, Weimer MB, Dana T, Walker M, Mitchell JP. Systematic Evidence Review on Methadone Harms and Comparative Harms. Glenview, IL: American Pain Society; 2012.
- Weimer MB, Korthuis PT, Behonick GS, Wunsch MJ. The Source of Methadone in Overdose Deaths in Western Virginia in 2004. Journal Of Addiction Medicine 2011, 5: 188-202. PMID: 21844834, PMCID: PMC3156987, DOI: 10.1097/adm.0b013e318211c56a.
- Scott DR, Weimer M, English C, Shaker L, Ward W, Choi D, Cedfeldt A, Girard D. A Novel Approach to Increase Residents' Involvement in Reporting Adverse Events. Academic Medicine 2011, 86: 742-746. PMID: 21512369, DOI: 10.1097/acm.0b013e318217e12a.
- Medication for Opioid Use DisorderWeimer MB. Medication for Opioid Use Disorder. SUD 101 Core Curriculum. Provider Clinical Support System (PCSS-Now). https://pcssnow.org/education-training/sud-core-curriculum/ Enduring CME Material Online
- Pain Management and OpioidsWeimer MB. Pain Management and Opioids CME. NEJM Knowledge+. https://knowledgeplus.nejm.org/products/pain-management-and-opioids-cme/ Enduring CME Material Online
- Management of Chronic Pain: A Core Curriculum for Primary Care ProvidersWeimer MB, Chou R. Management of Chronic Pain: A Core Curriculum for Primary Care Providers. Provider Clinical Support System (PCSS-Now). https://pcssnow.org/education- training/treating-chronic-pain-core-curriculum/ Enduring CME Material Online