TxRx ECHO
Program Description
The TxRx (pronounced “Tex-R-X”) ECHO program provides telementoring in utilizing medications to treat substance use disorders, including medications for alcohol, opioid, stimulants, and nicotine use disorders. This program targets prescribers, and other providers who support medication-assisted treatment services for patients. This includes topics such as screening, induction, treatment, referrals to higher levels of care, and ongoing longer-term care or wrap-around services. The purpose of this program is to build statewide capacity to expand the utilization of medications to treat substance use disorder.
This program meets the DEA training requirements established by the MATE Act. Learn more
Who is this ECHO for?
Prescribers (e.g., physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and advanced practice registered nurses) interested in learning to administer medications to treat substance use disorders, as well as allied care team members who care for people with substance use disorders.
Learning Objectives
- Describe the evidence base for medications to treat substance use disorders.
- Explain best clinical practice/s for initiating medications for substance use disorders in varying clinical settings.
- Compare and contrast psychosocial treatment services used in conjunction with medications for substance use.
- Understand the medical and psychiatric comorbidities associated with substance use and how to treat them concurrently.
- Establish non-stigmatizing treatment services by implementing patient-centered care principles and demonstrating a strong commitment to cultural responsiveness.
The UT Health San Antonio Science Center is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians. The UT Health Science Center San Antonio designates this live activity with AMA PRA Category 1 CreditsTM.
Watch our most recent session:


TxRx ECHO
This TxRx ECHO meets every second and fourth Thursday of the month
Hub Members

Muhammad Ali Chaudhary, MD
UT Health San Antonio, Assistant Professor
Adolescent Addiction Medicine Physician
Subject Matter Expertise: Adolescents and Young adults with SUD, Virtual care for SUD, Opioid Use Disorder

Crystal Walker, DMSc, PA-C
My Health My Resources (MHMR) of Tarrant County, Medical Director/OUD Instructor
Subject Matter Expertise: Addiction Medicine, Buprenorphine Waiver Application Process, Underserved Populations

Daryl I. Shorter, MD
Assoc. Professor, Menninger Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Baylor College of Medicine; Medical Director, Addiction Services at The Menninger Clinic
Addiction Psychiatrist
Subject Matter Expertise: Stimulants, cannabis, emerging drugs, co-occurring disorders, vulnerable populations, and cultural intelligence

Alicia Kowalchuk, DO, FASAM
Baylor College of Medicine, Associate Professor
Subject Matter Expertise: Addiction Medicine, Families Affected by Addiction, MOUD Implementation

John Weems-Embers, MD, FASAM
Assoc. Director of Addiction Medicine, CommUnityCare Health Centers; Assistant Professor, Internal Medicine, Dell Medical School, University of Texas at Austin
Subject Matter Expertise: Hospital-based addiction medicine, outpatient addiction medicine, addiction medicine education, social medicine, internal medicine

Van King, MD
Be Well Texas, Medical Director
UT Health San Antonio, Professor
Subject Matter Expertise: Addiction Psychiatry, Opioid Use Disorder Specialist

Sidarth Wakhlu, MD
University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Professor
Subject Matter Expertise: Opioid Use Disorder Specialist, Addiction Psychiatry, Alcohol Use Disorder