Innovative or Ill-Advised?: A NOLA addiction doctor leaves after her novel approach raises questions at her hospital

Aneri Pattani from KFF Health News talks about Elyse Stevens, who was a primary care and addiction medicine doctor in New Orleans.

This week on Behind The Lens, Elyse Stevens was a primary physician at the University Medical Center New Orleans, which runs an integrated health clinic specializing in treating patients with substance use disorders. At first, her patient-centered approach won her awards. But in 2025, the Louisiana medical licensing board began investigating her practices. She had to leave the state to continue working, she said.

Inside the Battle for the Future of Addiction Medicine

Our guest this week is Aneri Pattani, a reporter from KFF Health News.

Theme music by Podington Bear. Additional music by Chimera.

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Carolyne Heldman

Carolyne Heldman Rovira has been in media for 35 years, and is currently the podcast host and producer for Behind The Lens. Heldman served as executive director at Aspen Public Radio, an NPR affiliate, where she launched four weekly news, public affairs, and cultural affairs programs. She has been a guest lecturer at Tulane University, is a frequent guest and moderator for the Aspen Institute, Rocky Mountain Institute, and the American Enterprise Institute.