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 has been in media for 35 years, most recently as Executive Director at an NPR member station in Colorado where she was responsible for new multi-platform content initiatives, strategic planning, research, branding, and non-traditional revenue generation. During her tenure she also created and launched four weekly news, public affairs and cultural affairs programs and monthly live Town Hall broadcasts. Heldman moved to New Orleans last summer with her husband and canine companion and they live happily in The Marigny.