Emily Brunner, MD, DFASAM
Candidate for Regional Director
Region VI - Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin
Emily Brunner, MD, DFASAM is both certified in family medicine and a distinguished fellow in the field of addiction medicine. She has experience treating addiction in both inpatient and outpatient settings. She is an experienced physician and specializes in trauma-informed clinical treatment of substance use disorders with a comprehensive and compassionate approach.
Dr. Brunner has been involved in leadership of the Minnesota Society of Addiction Medicine and is now on the national board of the American Society of Addiction Medicine. She also serves on both the methodology and legislative advocacy subcommittees.
Candidate Questionnaire Responses
1. What have been your greatest contributions to ASAM or to the field of addiction medicine over the last 10 years?
I have been honored to serve on the national board of ASAM as the Minnesota Regional Director from 2020 until now. I have also worked to highlight the need for improving the recognition and management of behavioral addictions, such as gambling disorder. In addition, I have worked with many primary care colleagues to include management of opioid use disorder within the umbrella of chronic disease management. With the removal of the x waiver, we have an opportunity to dramatically improve the care for opioid use disorder within the whole health system.
2. How would your election to the ASAM Board of Directors benefit ASAM and the field of addiction medicine?
I feel my strong passion for improving the connections between the medical system and the specialized treatment system will continue to benefit ASAM. In this complicated medical landscape, it is important for us to work together towards reducing the silos within our system to help patients to access more coordinated care.