Michigan State University
Woman of the Year
Dr. Cara Anne Poland, MD, MEd, is a recognized expert in addiction medicine with an interest in educating healthcare providers and providers-in-training to improve care for patients with substance use disorders, particularly during pregnancy and early parenting. Dr. Poland’s clinical work supports creating inclusive, safe, nurturing, and empowering addiction treatment for pregnant people and their families experiencing the effects of substance use. She provides technical assistance to implement addiction care in pregnant and parenting individuals across the Midwest. Her GREAT MOMs program materials are nationally recognized as a model program.
Dr. Poland’s flagship education program is MICARES, which focuses on strengthening our country’s Addiction Medicine workforce. The program currently provides training to physicians, nurse practitioners, and social workers across the educational spectrum. She has supported over 700 physicians in 48 states in becoming addiction specialists.
Dr. Poland says, “I have a rare disease that was misdiagnosed for 12 years—with the symptoms and trajectory, I wasn’t supposed to live to be 20 years old. In the fall of 2023, I will reach 40—double my life expectancy. As a result, I’ve been reflecting over the last few months on my accomplishments and dreams. I’ve been thinking about who I am, who I want to be, and what I can do to improve myself … I like to think we all lift each other in different ways and on different days. While this might be my turn to shine, it’s because I have a strong circle of women who mutually support each other.”
Dr. Cara Anne Poland, MD, MEd, FACP, DFASAM
- Details
- Category: Brilliance Awards Finalists 2023
From this issue
Michele Suchovsky was born in the U.P., and after moving around a bit, settled with her family and younger brother in Grand Rapids her junior year of high school. She went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Michigan, and later, her Juris Doctorate from the University of Notre Dame Law School. It was during those formative college years that Suchovsky first became familiar with Paws With A Cause (PAWS) through a friend who had a PAWS dog, named WAGER.
Through her extensive humanitarian and nonprofit work, Eureka C. People has demonstrated her commitment as a passionate and dedicated advocate. Today, as President and CEO of Housing Kent, People is leading the organization’s effort to dissolve homelessness, increase affordable housing, and eliminate the shocking racial disparities in the housing system in Kent County. West Michigan Woman connected with her to learn more.
For many, the spring and summer months bring an abundance of events, whether it’s a destination wedding, family celebration, work-related gala, or other special gathering. Is your wardrobe ready? We connected with Kathryn Snow, the private client stylist and wardrobe expert behind Style Me Ada, to get her insight.
As you examine your skincare routine, you might have a full arsenal of products doing their individual jobs to keep your skin feeling glowy and healthy. But does that lineup include one of the most well-studied and effective antioxidants in skincare? Enter: Vitamin C!