A New Era for CHERISH
The Miller School of Medicine plays a pivotal role in the national collaboration that advances research, methodology and policy to improve health outcomes for people who use drugs.
The University of Miami Miller School of Medicine is at the forefront of a national initiative to address the intertwined epidemics of substance use disorder (SUD), hepatitis C virus (HCV) and HIV. As one of four founding institutions of the Center for Health Economics of Treatment Interventions for Substance Use Disorder, HCV, and HIV (CHERISH), the Miller School continues to play a pivotal role in advancing research, methodology and policy to improve health outcomes for people who use drugs.
Earlier this year, the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) renewed CHERISH’s designation as a national Center of Excellence, awarding the program $10.9 million over five years. This new round of funding will empower CHERISH to deepen its research, expand its partnerships and accelerate the translation of evidence into practice at a time when the syndemic of SUD, HCV and HIV remains a pressing public health challenge.
“In our newest chapter of CHERISH, we’re eager to share our expertise so others can leverage our methodologies to relay the full impact of investing in health interventions,” said Kathryn E. McCollister, Ph.D., professor and interim chair of the Department of Public Health Sciences and director of the Division of Health Services Research and Policy at the Miller School. Dr. McCollister is the CHERISH methodology core director and one of three members of the Miller School holding prominent positions in the program.
The Miller School and CHERISH
The Miller School’s faculty and staff are integral to CHERISH’s success, serving in key leadership and research roles:
• Dr. McCollister: As CHERISH methodology core director, Dr. McCollister leads the development and dissemination of advanced research methods. She is committed to sharing expertise and tools that help researchers nationwide evaluate the full impact of investing in SUD, HCV and HIV interventions.
• Don Lochana Ekanayake, MSc: Serving as CHERISH methodology core staff, the senior research associate in the Department of Public Health Sciences brings a focus on SUD program financing and cost analysis to the design and analysis of economic evaluations, supporting both the Miller School and the broader CHERISH network.
• Erminia Fardone, Ph.D.: Also a CHERISH methodology core staff member, Dr. Fardone, an assistant scientist in the Department of Public Health Sciences, leads systematic literature reviews for CHERISH research priorities and provides data management and visualization expertise in studies measuring the cost-effectiveness of treatment interventions.
These Miller School staff members collaborate with colleagues across Weill Cornell Medicine, Boston Medical Center/Boston University School of Public Health and the University of Pennsylvania to strengthen CHERISH’s foundation and expand its reach.
Addressing a Syndemic
The urgency of CHERISH’s work is underscored by sobering statistics. In the U.S., SUD, HCV and HIV together contribute to more than 80,000 overdose deaths annually, with new outbreaks linked to drug use. The economic burden is staggering, with SUD alone costing more than $700 billion per year. As opioid settlement funds become available, health care leaders are challenged to allocate resources effectively and sustain high-impact initiatives.
CHERISH provides rigorous economic evaluation research, helping decision makers understand both the financial and nonfinancial benefits of interventions. By capturing improved quality-of-life and societal outcomes, CHERISH informs resource allocation and supports the sustainability of evidence-based practices.
“The work we do at CHERISH mitigates two immense societal costs,” said Dr. McCollister. “Our research is looking for effective ways to save lives that continue to be claimed by drug use and save the billions of dollars that drug use consumes.”
How New Funding Will Be Used
With the renewed NIDA grant, CHERISH will:
• Advance research methodologies: Develop new tools and approaches for evaluating the cost-effectiveness of SUD, HCV and HIV interventions.
• Support financial sustainability: Guide health care systems in making informed decisions about which programs to sustain and expand.
• Accelerate knowledge translation: Foster collaboration between researchers and decision makers, ensuring that evidence leads to real-world impact.
• Mentor early-career researchers: Expand training and mentorship programs to build the next generation of health economics experts.
• Engage policy leaders: Host seminars and facilitate dialogue with leaders at federal, state and local levels to keep pace with evolving challenges and financing mechanisms.
As the Miller School of Medicine continues its collaboration in CHERISH, its faculty and staff remain dedicated to improving outcomes for individuals and communities affected by SUD, HCV and HIV. Through innovative research, strategic partnerships and a commitment to translating evidence into practice, the Miller School is helping shape a healthier future for all.
Tags: Dr. Kathryn McCollister, drug abuse treatment, injection drug use, National Institutes of Health, NIH funding, public health sciences