I was introduced to the concept of harm reduction some years ago, and admittedly at the time, I did not understand it. However, working with a diverse patient population in the Tampa General Hospital Emergency Department, many of whom had a substance use disorder, made me realize how important harm reduction is in healthcare. In fact, it changed my entire perspective on how medicine and healthcare should address the social determinants of health and health disparities. As a public health practitioner and future physician, this evolution of thought will be integral in how I approach patient-centered care. 

Working with the dedicated members of the IDEA Tampa team has been such a rewarding experience for which I am grateful for every day. I am also humbled and honored for the trust our participants place in us. It has made me even more passionate about providing equitable access to care.