Benzodiazepines: Uses, Dangers, and Clinical Considerations

About the Program

The PA Foundation is pleased to present Benzodiazepines: Uses, Dangers, and Clinical Considerations, a virtual seminar for PA students designed to supplement established PA school curriculum and enhance learning on substance use disorder (SUD).

In this presentation, students will learn:

Common and FDA-approved uses of benzodiazepines
The evidence-based benefits and risks of prescription benzodiazepines
To recognize the symptoms of physical dependence and substance use disorder
The significant risks of polysubstance use and benzodiazepine withdrawal
To communicate safe use effectively with patients

This course qualifies for two hours of training on SUD for “practitioners renewing or newly applying for a registration from the DEA to prescribe any Schedule II-V controlled medications” (SAMHSA, 2023).

Meet the Faculty

Practicing PAs with expertise in SUD and psychiatric medicine developed this content and have presented the material to PA programs across the country. Their experience and expertise provide valuable insight into safe and effective use of benzodiazepines.

Deanna Bridge Najera
MPAS, MS, PA-C, DFAAPA

Megan Pinder
MMS, PA-C

Jessica Jones
DHSc, PA-C

Chelsea Tersavich PA-C

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Questions about this program? Contact the PA Foundation

The PA Foundation produced and is solely responsible for the content of this program. This project was funded through a grant by the AmerisourceBergen Foundation. Special thanks to the presenters and the coordinating team of the PA Foundation.

Deanna Bridge Najera

MPAS, MS, PA-C, DFAAPA

Deanna Bridge Najera attended the University of Maryland for her undergraduate education, and Chatham University for her master’s in physician assistant studies. She also attended Shippensburg University for a master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling. PA Najera currently splits her time between a suburban emergency department and a county health department, while also providing limited outpatient psychiatric medical management for a community mental health agency. She received her CAQ in psychiatry in 2018 and her CAQ in emergency medicine in 2022.

Megan Pinder

MMS, PA-C

Megan Pinder graduated from the Wake Forest Department of PA Studies in 2017. Since that time, she has worked as a practicing PA in multiple psychiatry settings. She is currently on faculty at the Wake Forest PA program and works for an outpatient clinic in Winston-Salem. Megan led the fourth of AAPA’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion webinars called Is Mental Health the Forgotten Pandemic?

Jessica Jones

DHSc, PA-C

Jessica Jones is an experienced psychiatric PA-C, current assistant professor for the College of Saint Mary PA program, as well as adjunct professor for the DMS program at Shenandoah University. Specializing in mood disorders and dual diagnosis with addictions, Dr. Jones works with pediatric, adult, and geriatric patients on their road to mental wellness. Recognized for exceptional clinical teaching with a Crystal Apple Award and awarded Preceptor of the Year in 2019, Dr. Jones is committed to promoting health equity and dismantling health disparities as a member of the DEI commission of the AAPA. She has a passion for eliminating the stigma associated with mental health including among those on the neurodivergent spectrum. This led her to co-author a children’s book entitled “ADHD Me & My PA.”

Chelsea Tersavich

PA-C

Chelsea Tersavich is a former Army PA, earning her degree through IPAP in June 2015. During her time in the Army, she served as the PA in several units at Ft. Bliss, Texas. Since medically retiring from the Army, Chelsea has primarily worked in psychiatric telemedicine supporting individuals with depression, anxiety, trauma, SUD, and other psychiatric disorders. In this position, she mentors PAs and NPs both in psychiatric medicine and career advancement. She continues to work with the military community as well doing Veteran Affairs Compensation & Pension Examinations near her home in Savannah, Ga. She also serves as the AAPA representative on the Providers Clinical Support System – Medications for Alcohol Use Disorder steering committee.