Sharing Benzodiazepine Risks with Eastern Virginia Medical Students

On September 6, 2024, we had the privilege of educating students at Eastern Virginia Medical School’s Physician Assistant Program about benzodiazepines. This marked our second opportunity to attend the event this year, following our earlier participation in February.

Our team included volunteers Mark Keller, Navy LCDR, Wendy Jo Cole, Lisa Gemmill, and Lisa’s husband, Sam Goldberg. Lisa and Wendy Jo are both from the Benzo Warrior Community, and Sam offered the caregiver’s perspective.

The volunteers asked the students, who will be future Physician Assistants, about their familiarity with safe benzodiazepine tapering practices. The students had received some pharmacology education and were somewhat familiar with benzodiazepines through their coursework, with a few having personal family experiences. They were engaged and eager to learn more, particularly about our organization and its mission.

Mark gave a highly compelling presentation, drawing in the students with his insights. students took note of our website. Although they looked at The Ashton Manual, they didn’t purchase their own copy, which was available for sale at our table. They were more receptive to The Maudsley Deprescribing Guidelines and the information we provided on tolerance, addiction, and physical dependence.

We were pleased that the students appreciated the information and resources we shared. They also enjoyed the candy offered at our table and happily participated.

It was a productive session, held as part of the “Community Networking Event” hosted by the Eastern Virginia Medical School’s Physician Assistant Program, and we look forward to continuing to engage with students in the future.

We also want to extend a huge thank you to our volunteers—Mark Keller, Navy LCDR, Lisa Gemmill, Wendy Jo Cole, and Sam Goldberg—for their dedication and help. Their contributions were invaluable in making this event a success.