Deborah Wachtel is a nurse practitioner specializing in Addiction Medicine for adults. Her clinical experience includes integrating medication assisted treatment for opioid use disorder into primary care. Dr. Wachtel has conducted research in a NIDA funded protocol studying women in treatment for substance use disorder. In her faculty position, Deborah integrated the concepts of Harm Reduction and treatment of substance use disorder into the Doctorate of Nursing Practice (DNP) curriculum at the University of Vermont.
Deborah’s practice concentration has included women’s health, endocrinology, bariatrics, and primary care. Her attention to the current opioid crisis includes sitting on several committees and workgroups providing guidance towards initiating new state prescribing protocols and improving treatment options and availability for people struggling with opioid use disorder.
Deborah has worked on state and federal policy for several decades, has sat on numerous boards, gubernatorial workgroups, and received the Vermont State Nurses’ Association Outstanding Advanced Practice Nurse Award, the American Association of Nurse Practitioners NP Advocate State Award of Excellence and is a Jonas Nursing Leadership Scholar.