IRVING – TLC Health Network officials have announced the addition of family medicine physician David Hallasey, MS, MD to their medical staff. Dr. Hallasey’s main duties include providing care for patients with chemical dependency issues through Suboxone and Vivitrol treatments as well as providing general care to patients in the health system’s primary care and urgent care facilities.
Dr. Hallasey obtained his medical degree in Family Medicine from SUNY Buffalo’s School of Medicine where he completed residencies in family medicine and surgical pathology. He worked in a private family medicine practice in Amherst, NY from 1990 to 2003 and served as associate clinical instructor at SUNY Buffalo. From 2003 to 2005, he served as flight surgeon at Langley Air Force Base and also as an internal medicine physician at the Hampton VA Medical Center. Since returning to Western New York Dr. Hallasey has also held positions with Lifetime Health, his own private practice in East Aurora, Niagara Falls VA Outpatient Clinic, Southgate Medical Group, and the Beacon Center.
“It’s wonderful for us to be able to have someone with Dr. Hallasey’s experience and expertise serving our community,” said Scott Butler, Divisional Director of Business Development. “In the brief time I have worked with Dr. Hallasey, I have found him to be extremely dedicated to his patients and to the cause of helping people recover from addiction and lead healthier lives. Both his chemical dependency and his primary care patients seem to love him, and I think he is going to do great things for both this community and our health system.”
TLC Health Network has been providing care to those with chemical dependency issues at locations including Derby and Cassadaga for years. However, Dr. Hallasey’s arrival will mark the first time that the health system has been able to provide much needed Suboxone and Vivitrol treatments. Suboxone is a prescription medication that can help treat heroin addiction and dependence on other opiates. It is often used as part of program with complementary monitoring, counseling, and other client services. In a similar manner, Vivitrol may be used in the treatment of alcohol or opioid dependence.
Chemical dependency is a serious health concern throughout Western New York. According to local health officials, the rate of hospitalizations for drug-related reasons in Chautauqua and Erie Counties ranks significantly higher than state and national averages. In Chautauqua County, 19.4 out of every 10,000 people are hospitalized for drug-related reasons and, in Erie County, the figure is 30.7 out of every 10,000. In the fall of 2014, Chautauqua County was among the counties named by the White House as a federal High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA), only one of 28 designated as such across the country.
“Addiction is something that touches the whole family and can happen anywhere,” states Wendy Luce, Divisional Director of Patient Care. “With opiate addiction on the rise in our area, these programs will assist us in utilizing best practices to serve the affected families.” Previously, patients had to travel out of the area for this type of treatment. “It makes us unique and strengthens our health care network, as we position ourselves for future growth.”
Those seeking a primary care appointment with Dr. Hallasey may call Gowanda Urgent Care & Medical Center at 716-532-8100 or Forestville Primary Care Center at 716-965-9738. For parties interested in learning more about chemical dependency services including Suboxone or Vivitrol treatments, please call TLC Health Network’s Chemical Dependency Clinics at 716-947-0316 (Derby office) or 716-595-3355 (Cassadaga office). More information on TLC Health Network’s other services may be found at www.tlchealth.org.