Dr. Cara Poland is a recognized expert in addiction medicine. She is a faculty member at Michigan State University. She earned her medical degree from Wayne State University and was trained in internal medicine at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and addiction medicine at Boston Medical Center in Boston, Massachusetts. She received her master’s degree in education from Boston University. Her work centers around educating healthcare providers and providers-in-training to improve care for patients with substance use disorders.

In 2018, board-certified Addiction Medicine Doctor Cara Poland identified the need to strengthen our country’s Addiction Medicine workforce. MI CARES was born by utilizing State Opioid Response funds and creating collaboration among Michigan’s medical schools. Led by Dr. Poland, MI CARES trains physician-level addiction specialists in Michigan and across the country. Over 1,000 physicians in all 50 states, Washington DC, and Puerto Rico are currently on the pathway to becoming board-certified in Addiction Medicine. The program also teaches physicians-in-training, resident physicians, social work students, social work practitioners, APRN, and PA practitioners. Her didactic program involves purposeful education to train prescribers to treat persons with SUDs in a kind, compassionate, destigmatized way. Dr. Poland also has a special interest in treating families affected by substance use disorders.

A passionate and highly sought-after public speaker and educator, Dr. Poland regularly appears in the media and at community events, advocating for those she serves. She has directly influenced policies and procedures around the treatment of people with SUDs. Her persistent advocacy has helped to advance more evidence-based treatment opportunities, as evidenced by her role as the Public Policy Chair for the American Society of Addiction Medicine. The State of Michigan has removed prior authorizations for medications to treat SUDs and updated rules governing SUD treatment programs. Dr. Poland is the chair of the Michigan Opioid Advisory Commission, established as the designated state entity to advise the Michigan legislature on the appropriate use of opioid settlement funds in compliance with the requirements of the national opioid settlements.

Dr. Poland dedicates her professional work to the memory of her brother, who died as a result of an alcohol use disorder.