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Press Releases

Penn Foundation Hosts 13th Annual Legislative Luncheon

Dr. Ronald Souder, Penn Foundation Board of Directors; Representative Marcy Toepel; Wayne Mugrauer, Penn Foundation President and CEO; Bucks County Commissioner Robert Loughery; Bucks County Commissioner Diane Ellis-Marseglia; Tom Leidy, Penn Foundation Board of Directors; Dorothy Weik-Hange, Esq., Penn Foundation Board of Directors; and Dr. Vernon Kratz, Penn Foundation Board of Directors

On March 23, 2018, Penn Foundation hosted its 13th annual Legislative Luncheon. This event provides an opportunity for local legislators to visit Penn Foundation’s campus and learn more about the agency’s programs and services and to share their legislative priorities.

In a time when mental health and substance abuse are being discussed on a national level, Penn Foundation is grateful for the opportunity to dialogue with area legislators about its programs and the issues facing community behavioral healthcare providers. Special thanks to those legislators who attended the luncheon – Bucks County Commissioners Diane Ellis-Marseglia and Robert Loughery and State Representative Marcy Toepel.

In his opening remarks, Penn Foundation President and CEO Wayne Mugrauer said, “This is a time that challenges us to be even more creative and more efficient with how we provide care than ever before.” To that end, he highlighted several of Penn Foundation’s innovative initiatives:

    • Collaboration with local hospital Emergency Departments to target opioid overdose survivors
    • A plan to expand drug and alcohol services, enabling Penn Foundation to serve 750 individuals, more than double its current capacity of 300
    • A newly established academic affiliation with Jefferson Health

Medical Director Christopher Squillaro, DO spoke about the opioid epidemic, focusing on how we got here and what Penn Foundation is doing to combat this growing issue. “In 2010, we began to see a shift in the individuals coming to us for drug and alcohol treatment,” he explained. “We adapted our service and enhance our programs to address the special needs of the opioid use population. Our priority is to foster immediate access to care and provide a holistic approach to treatment that addresses the distinctive needs of our clients.” Sarah, who has struggled with addiction for 14 years, courageously shared her story of recovery, which includes surviving an overdose. “I didn’t know how to get better,” she said. “Penn Foundation paved the way for me. I feel such gratitude and self-worth now. I am becoming the woman I always wanted to be.”