Dr. Sterner has worked extensively with the Independence Blue Cross Foundation and the Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs to address stigma associated with the opioid epidemic, coordinating the SHARE YOUR OPIOID STORY initiative, which has helped to understand the depth and breadth of this issue in our communities through qualitative story telling. Through this work, he has provided the opportunity to open up the conversation on stigma, helping to ensure that all individuals associated with the opioid epidemic are supported in our communities, rural to urban.
This partnership between Penn State University, Independence Blue Cross Foundation, and the Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs has been recognized by the Pennsylvania Business Journal through their Faces of Philanthropy. For his work on the opioid epidemic, Dr. Sterner has been recognized by the Independence Blue Cross Foundation as a Future Leader of Community Health.
