Michele Matthews

Michele Matthews, PharmD, BCACP, CPE, FASHP is a Professor in the Department of Pharmacy Practice at the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (MCPHS) School of Pharmacy. She is a board-certified ambulatory care pharmacist specializing in pain management and addiction medicine. Her clinical practice is based at Brigham and Women's Hospital, where she provides team-based care for patients with chronic non-cancer pain and substance use disorders. At MCPHS, she serves as faculty director for the Pain Management Certificate Program in the School of Professional Studies.

Education:

• PharmD, Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
• PGY-1 Pharmacy Practice Residency, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital

Dr. Matthews' research focuses on pain management, substance use disorders, harm reduction, and interprofessional education. Her work particularly examines opioid use disorder treatment approaches, abuse-deterrent formulations, and collaborative care models in primary care settings. She has made significant contributions to understanding provider attitudes toward pain management and opioid prescribing practices.

Her recent publications demonstrate a strong focus on machine learning applications in opioid risk assessment, pharmacogenomics in pain management, and expanding community pharmacy roles in substance use disorder treatment. These works reflect her commitment to evidence-based approaches that bridge clinical practice and research to improve patient outcomes in pain and addiction medicine.

Professional Recognition:

• Fellow, American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP), 2016
• Faculty Scholarship Showcase Award, Scholarship of Discovery, MCPHS, 2018
• Excellence in Innovation Award, Massachusetts Pharmacists Association, 2015
• Preceptor of the Year, MCPHS School of Pharmacy, 2015
• Multiple Clinical Center of Excellence Awards from the American Pain Society

Dr. Matthews is actively involved in professional pharmacy organizations as a founding member and past president of the Society of Pain and Palliative Care Pharmacists. She serves on the Massachusetts Pain Initiative Steering Council and contributes to national efforts addressing the opioid epidemic. Her leadership extends to mentoring future pharmacists and developing educational programs focused on pain management and addiction medicine.

Her work with interdisciplinary teams at Brigham and Women's Hospital has established her as a leader in integrated pain management approaches that combine pharmacological and non-pharmacological strategies to optimize patient care while addressing the complex challenges of the opioid crisis.