Wilkes University to Host 2026 PA Pain and Addiction Summit on April 24

Wilkes University to Host 2026 PA Pain and Addiction Summit on April 24

Wilkes University will host the eighth annual Pennsylvania Pain and Addiction Summit from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday, April 24, in the Stark Learning Center.

During this full-day conference, medical, legal and law enforcement professionals will discuss the current state of the opioid crisis, share approaches to critical issues and identify opportunities to approach the treatment of pain and substance use disorder.

The full-day conference features 12 breakout sessions including "MED Talks: Patient-Friendly Strategies for Difficult Conversations in Pain and Opioid Use Disorder," "The Effects of Addiction and Drug Diversion within the Medical Profession" and "Pain and Family Heirlooms."

Kevin E. Bigler, diversion group supervisor for the Drug Enforcement Administration Allentown and Scranton resident offices, will deliver the lunchtime keynote address. His presentation will include an update on the opioid crisis and other drug trends and an overview of relevant updates from DEA's Diversion Control Program (DCP). He will conclude with a review of recent DEA enforcement actions and investigations with a focus on identifying common diversion themes.

Kaylin Bower, pain patient and advocate will offer closing remarks. Her presentation "The Other Side of the Opioid Epidemic: The Crisis of Untreated Pain and Unrelieved Suffering" will incorporate both narrative and research components to challenge the justification for the current war on opioid analgesics. She will also discuss harm reduction, the Iron Law of Prohibition, the increase in opioid overdose deaths even as prescription rates have decreased and more.

This program is co-sponsored by the Northeast Counties Medical Society and supported by an educational grant from the Moses Taylor Foundation.

Attendees can earn continuing education (CE) credit. The cost is $140 for the full day and 6 CE hours or $80 for a half day and 3 CE hours.

For more information, visit wilkes.edu/addiction.