We are pleased to announce that Robert Merritt, MSN, RN, Chief Executive Officer of Myrtle Recovery Centers, will be a distinguished guest speaker during the highly anticipated Middle Tennessee Grand Regions Tour 2025, hosted by The Rural Health Association of Tennessee on April 1st, 2025. Merritt will share his expertise on the topic “Medications for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD) in Rural Tennessee.”
With extensive experience in addiction recovery and healthcare administration, Robert Merritt has been a driving force in developing the program at Myrtle Recovery Centers and increasing access to evidence-based treatment solutions for individuals struggling with opioid use disorder (OUD) in rural communities. His presentation will focus on the critical role of medication-assisted treatment (MAT), the challenges of providing these services in underserved areas, and innovative strategies to bridge gaps in care, while using Myrtle Recovery Centers as a case study in how he has achieved this in Scott County, TN under his guidance and leadership.
“Tennessee’s rural communities face unique barriers to treatment, including provider shortages, stigma, and geographic limitations,” said Merritt. “By increasing education and access to medications for opioid use disorder, we can improve recovery outcomes and save lives.” The RHAT Grand Regions Tour 2025 will bring together healthcare providers, educators, advocates, and community leaders to discuss pressing issues in rural healthcare across the state. Merritt’s insights will contribute to meaningful discussions on enhancing addiction treatment accessibility and reducing opioid-related harm in Tennessee’s rural regions.