Opioid Prescribing Work Group

The Opioid Prescribing Work Group (OPWG) sunset on Dec. 31, 2021. The OPWG was an advisory body of experts convened to forward DHS’ Opioid Prescribing Improvement Program (OPIP). The program plays a crucial role in Minnesota’s response to the crisis of prescription opioid misuse and abuse, namely addressing inappropriate prescribing behavior among Minnesota health care providers.

The work group was tasked with providing recommendations on the following program components:

Protocols that address all phases of the opioid prescribing cycle
Development of educational resources and messages for providers to use in communicating with patients about pain and the use of opioids to treat pain
Quality-improvement measures to assess variation and support improvement in clinical practice
A set of thresholds directed at MHCP-enrolled providers with persistently concerning prescribing practices that will trigger mandatory quality improvement; and
Sanction standards for MHCP-enrolled providers.

Questions about the Opioid Prescribing Work Group can be directed to dhs.opioid@state.mn.us.

Work group members
Work group members were appointed by the Commissioner of Human Services and received a $200 honorarium per meeting, plus reimbursement for mileage and parking. The following individuals served two-year terms ending Dec. 31, 2021. The information in parenthesis indicates the statutorily set membership categories.
- Emily Bannister, MD, Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry (medical consultant; nonvoting)
- Nathan Chomilo, MD, Minnesota Department of Human Services (Minnesota Health Care Programs medical director; nonvoting)
- Kurtis Couch, Waterville (public member who uses or who has used opioid therapy to manage chronic pain)
- Julie L. Cunningham, PharmD, BCPP, Chair, Mayo Clinic Health System (non physician health care professional who treats pain)
- Kurt DeVine, MD, CentraCare (licensed physician)
- Sen. Chris Eaton, RN, Minnesota State Senate (consumer representative)
- Tiffany Elton, PharmD, NCPS, Consultant (pharmacist)
- Dana Farley, MS, Minnesota Department of Health (nonvoting)
- Rebekah Forrest, RN, CNP, NorthPoint Community Clinic (nurse practitioner)
- Bret Haake , MD, HealthPartners (health plan medical director)
- Chris Johnson, MD, Allina Health (Health Services Advisory Council member)
- Matthew Lewis, MD (not practicing), Winona (consumer representative)
- Adam Nelson, PharmD, CSP, UCare (health plan pharmacy director)
- Murray McAllister, PsyD, LP, Courage Kenny Rehabilitation Institute (non physician health care professional who treats pain)
- Richard Nadeau, DDS, MPH, University of Minnesota School of Dentistry (dentist)
- Chad Hope, PharmD, Department of Human Services (DHS pharmacy unit; nonvoting)
- Charles Reznikoff, MD, Hennepin County Medical Center (mental health professional)
- Saudade SammuelSon, Richfield (public member who uses or who has used opioid therapy to manage chronic pain)
- Detective Charles Strack, Little Falls Police Department (law enforcement)
- Lindsey Thomas, MD, Midwest Medical Examiner’s Office, retired (medical examiner)
Meeting minutes
Previous meetings

2021
2020
2019
2018
2017
2016
2015
- Nov. 23 agenda (PDF) | meeting minutes (PDF)
- Dec. 14 agenda (PDF) | meeting minutes (PDF)
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