Speakers 2010: Eric Goplerud, PhD
Research Professor, The George Washington University Medical Center
Helping to revitalize the nation's health care system is an urgent commitment for Professor Goplerud, who has helped to craft the nation's substance abuse policy for much of his professional life. "I am concerned about the unraveling of the nation's health care system, and particularly the fraying commitment to provide minimal health care accessibility to people who are poor," he says. "People with addictions and mental illness are among those most hurt by this failing social compact. Turning this around is a personal and professional mission for me." Dr. Goplerud is currently Director of Ensuring Solutions to Alcohol Problems, a research and communications initiative in the Department of Health Policy that is supported by a grant from the Pew Charitable Trusts and focused on improving access to effective and affordable alcohol treatment. Prior to joining the School's faculty in 2002, he held a number of executive positions at the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and was a senior Prevention Policy Analyst in the Office of National Drug Control Policy. Dr. Goplerud earned the Department of Health and Human Services Individual Distinguished Service Award in 1996.
