MANCHESTER, CT (September 22, 2026) – On September 21, 2026, iCare Health Network hosted a daylong Substance Use Disorder and Recovery Summit at the Hilton Garden Windsor. Held in recognition of National Recovery Month, the Collaborative Care Education Day brought together iCare clinical leaders, department heads, community partners and subject-matter experts for advanced education on substance use disorders, recovery and co-occurring mental health conditions.
The summit was developed specifically for teams with significant experience caring for individuals with complex substance use and behavioral health needs. Staff from iCare care centers as well as central office staff and leadership came together for presentations addressing stigma, medications for opioid use disorder, regulatory requirements, discharge planning and community-based recovery supports.
Dr. Haner Hernandez, Ph.D., CPS, CADCII, LADCI, delivered the keynote presentation, “Eliminating Stigma and Bias: The Role of Service Providers in Supporting Clients with Opioid and Other Substance Use Disorders and Co-Occurring Mental Health Conditions.” His presentation challenged healthcare professionals to examine how language, assumptions and institutional practices can affect the care and recovery of individuals with substance use disorders.
Beyond the keynote, presentations included a history of iCare’s iRecovery Program, an overview of best practices and procedures for Methadone treatment in long term care, housing and community supports, the regulatory environment and facilitation of medication assisted therapy, behavioral health and counseling services, recovery coaching, training and education opportunities and acute care partnerships and transitions. iCare extends its appreciation to each of the speakers and community partners who shared their time, expertise and resources.
Through its longstanding iRecovery program and years of hands-on experience across its care centers, iCare has developed unmatched expertise in serving individuals with substance use disorders and co-occurring medical and behavioral health conditions in the skilled nursing setting. The summit reinforced iCare’s commitment to reducing stigma, strengthening clinical practice and providing informed, person-centered and recovery-oriented care.
