University of Utah Health: New Substance Use & Pregnancy Clinic Opens
New Clinic Opens to Support Pregnant Individuals Facing Substance Use Disorders
Table of Contents
- New Clinic Opens to Support Pregnant Individuals Facing Substance Use Disorders
- New Clinic Opens to Support Pregnant Individuals Facing Substance Use Disorders: Your Questions Answered
- Introduction
- Q&A
- What services does the SUPeRAD Clinic offer?
- What is the significance of the clinic’s integrated care model?
- Who is the target population for the SUPeRAD Clinic?
- How does legislative support contribute to the clinic’s expansion?
- What is the mission of the SUPeRAD Clinic?
- What is the impact of the SUPeRAD Clinic on patients?
- What is the history of the SUPeRAD Clinic?
- What are the barriers to accessing care for pregnant individuals with substance use disorders?
- Summary of Key features
Published: March 20,2025
SUPeRAD Clinic Expansion Addresses Critical Need
On March 20,2025,a new Substance Use & Pregnancy—Recovery,Addiction,and Dependence (SUPeRAD) Clinic opened its doors at the Population Health Center near Rose park.This expansion marks a notable step forward in addressing substance use disorders among pregnant individuals within Utah’s westside communities.
Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony Highlights Personal Stories
The ribbon-cutting ceremony featured insights from healthcare professionals, legislators, and Kelsie Buchanan, a SUPeRAD patient. Buchanan shared her powerful journey of recovery, emphasizing the clinic’s life-changing impact.
Becoming pregnant didn’t initially get me out of my addiction and an abusive relationship, but it brought me to the SUPeRAD Clinic at the University of Utah. They showed me I was worth saving. I kept showing up and relapsing again and again, and they never gave up on me. I got sober at four months pregnant and have been clean ever since.
Integrated Care Model Provides Comprehensive Support
Since its inception in 2017, the SUPeRAD Clinic has been a pioneer in integrated, trauma-informed care.This model combines maternal-fetal medicine,addiction treatment,social work,and recovery support. The expansion aims to extend these vital services to more families in the Rose Park and West Valley areas, reaching individuals who may otherwise encounter barriers to accessing care.
Mission to Empower Mothers and Families
According to Marcela Smid, MD, MS, MA, SUPeRAD Clinic medical director,
This new clinic is a vital extension of our mission to provide compassionate, evidence-based care to mothers and families facing the dual challenges of substance use disorder and pregnancy. We believe that meeting patients where they are literally and figuratively empowers them to feel safe engaging in care, which leads to improved health outcomes.
Legislative Support Fuels Expansion
The new clinic builds on the success of existing SUPeRAD programs, which have already supported over 1,300 mother-baby pairs. In 2024, the Utah State Legislature allocated $360,000 in start-up funds to further support the expansion of integrated, perinatal addiction care.
New Clinic Opens to Support Pregnant Individuals Facing Substance Use Disorders: Your Questions Answered
Introduction
A new clinic, the Substance Use & Pregnancy—Recovery, Addiction, and Dependence (SUPeRAD) clinic, opened on March 20, 2025, at the Population Health Center near Rose Park. This clinic aims to provide thorough support to pregnant individuals facing substance use disorders. This Q&A-style article addresses common questions about the clinic, its services, and its impact.
Q&A
What services does the SUPeRAD Clinic offer?
The SUPeRAD Clinic offers an integrated care model that combines:
maternal-fetal medicine
addiction treatment
Social work
Recovery support
What is the significance of the clinic’s integrated care model?
The integrated care model is designed to provide comprehensive and trauma-informed support. It addresses the complex needs of pregnant individuals with substance use disorders by combining various services in one place. This approach enhances access to care and improves health outcomes.
Who is the target population for the SUPeRAD Clinic?
The clinic focuses on supporting pregnant individuals and families facing substance use disorders. The expansion extends services to communities in the rose Park and West Valley areas.
How does legislative support contribute to the clinic’s expansion?
In 2024, the Utah State Legislature allocated $360,000 in start-up funds to support the expansion of integrated, perinatal addiction care. These funds allow the clinic to extend its services and reach more individuals in need.
What is the mission of the SUPeRAD Clinic?
According to Marcela Smid, MD, MS, MA, SUPeRAD Clinic medical director, the mission is to provide compassionate, evidence-based care to mothers and families facing the challenges of substance use disorder and pregnancy. The clinic aims to empower patients by meeting them where they are, offering them a safe space to engage in care and improving their health outcomes.
What is the impact of the SUPeRAD Clinic on patients?
The SUPeRAD Clinic has a life-changing impact on patients like Kelsie Buchanan, who shared her journey of recovery. The clinic provides support to overcome addiction and improve overall well-being.
What is the history of the SUPeRAD Clinic?
The SUPeRAD Clinic has been a pioneer in integrated, trauma-informed care as its inception in 2017. The current expansion builds on the success of existing programs that have already assisted over 1,300 mother-baby pairs.
What are the barriers to accessing care for pregnant individuals with substance use disorders?
Pregnant and postpartum individuals with substance use disorders may face various barriers to accessing care, including:
Stigma
Discrimination
Lack of understanding of the condition
Geographic limitations
The SUPeRAD Clinic expansion specifically targets these barriers by providing a centralized and comprehensive care model.
Summary of Key features
| Feature | Description |
| :——————– | :————————————————————————————————————————————- |
| Services Offered | Integrated care including maternal-fetal medicine, addiction treatment, social work, and recovery support. |
| Target Population | Pregnant individuals and families in the Rose Park and West Valley areas facing substance use disorders. |
| Care Model | Integrated, trauma-informed, and evidence-based. |
| Legislative Support | $360,000 in start-up funds from the Utah State Legislature in 2024. |
| Clinic History | Pioneer in integrated care as 2017, supporting over 1,300 mother-baby pairs before expansion. |