From one specialist to a statewide resource
Through an Iowa Health and Human Services opioid settlement grant, the Iowa Poison Control Center launched the Iowa Buprenorphine Education, Access, and Consultation Network, or I-BEACON. The initiative provides education and consultation for health care providers who may be unfamiliar with initiating treatment for opioid use disorder.
"Many providers aren't comfortable starting these medications," McCabe says. "And even if they are comfortable starting treatment, they may not know where to send patients for ongoing care."
For McCabe, efforts like I-BEACON reflect a broader philosophy that has guided the division's growth from the beginning: Specialized expertise should be available not only in Iowa City, but throughout the state.
"If medicine's goal is improving patient outcomes, my goal is helping through whatever means my expertise allows," he says.