About

J. Deanna Wilson, MD, MPH, is a Presidential Assistant Professor in the Department of Family Medicine and Community Health at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. Her clinical expertise encompasses addiction medicine across the life spectrum, including substance use and substance use disorder treatment in adolescents and young adults, in both office-based and hospital-based settings. Her research leverages traditional health services research methods, community-engaged research, and implementation science to promote health equity for marginalized and racially minoritized populations who use drugs. Her work focuses on integrating harm reduction into primary care and hospital settings, developing low-threshold models of care to improve engagement and retention among marginalized groups, and enhancing treatment engagement for adolescents and young adults with opioid use disorder. She has contributed to advancing understanding of stigma's impact on harm reduction practices and has been involved in community-based interventions aimed at improving health outcomes for people who use drugs.

Research topics

• Medicine
• Psychiatry
• Family medicine
• Psychology
• Emergency medicine

Selected publications

• Emergency Department–Initiated Buprenorphine for Opioid Use Disorder

  JAMA · 2026-02-11 · 4 citations

  articleOpen access

  Importance: Extended-release injectable buprenorphine may expand the reach of initiating medications for opioid use disorder in high-risk and hard-to-reach individuals who visit the emergency department (ED) and can be administered in low levels of withdrawal. Objective: To compare the effect of ED-initiated 7-day extended-release injectable buprenorphine vs sublingual buprenorphine on treatment engagement at 7 days. Design, Setting, and Participants: Multicenter randomized clinical trial enrolling adult patients presenting to the ED with untreated opioid use disorder and a Clinical Opiate Withdrawal Scale (COWS) score of 4 or higher across 29 EDs in the US from July 12, 2020, to August 21, 2024. Final follow-up was completed on October 24, 2024. Interventions: Patients were randomized to receive a 24-mg injection of extended-release buprenorphine (equivalent to 16 mg/d) or sublingual buprenorphine, which included either self-administration instructions if the COWS score was less than 8 or administration of 8 mg of sublingual buprenorphine in the ED if the COWS score was 8 or higher. All sublingual buprenorphine group patients received a 7-day prescription for 16 mg/d. Both groups were provided referral for ongoing medication with a scheduled appointment within 7 days. Main Outcomes and Measures: Engagement in opioid use disorder treatment on day 7 was the primary outcome. Secondary outcomes included engagement at 30 days, precipitated withdrawal and overdose events, craving scores, days of illicit opioid use, and patient satisfaction with treatment. Results: Among 2000 patients randomized, 6 who were enrolled twice were excluded, resulting in 991 in the extended-release group and 1003 in the sublingual group. The median age was 37 (IQR, 30-47) years, 68% were male, 31% had an initial COWS score of 4 to 7, and 76% tested positive for fentanyl. The adjusted proportion of engagement in opioid use disorder treatment at 7 days was 40.5% with extended-release buprenorphine vs 38.5% with sublingual buprenorphine (adjusted difference, 1.6%; 95% CI, -2.8% to 6.0%). Engagement at 30 days was similar, with adjusted proportions of 43.8% with extended-release buprenorphine vs 44.9% with sublingual buprenorphine (adjusted difference, -1.5%; 95% CI, -6.2% to 3.2%). Precipitated withdrawal was rare: 6 (0.6%) with extended-release buprenorphine and 8 (0.8%) with sublingual buprenorphine. Overdose events within 30 days occurred in 18 participants (2.3%) in each group. Patients receiving extended-release buprenorphine reported lower mean craving scores at 7 days vs those receiving sublingual buprenorphine (scale, 0-100; mean score, 26.5 vs 30.2, respectively; adjusted mean difference, -3.85; 95% CI, -7.08 to -0.63), fewer days of illicit opioid use in the past 7 days (adjusted ratio of means, 0.77; 95% CI, 0.68-0.95), and better treatment satisfaction scores (scale, 1-5; adjusted mean difference, 0.13; 95% CI, 0.01-0.25). Conclusions and Relevance: No difference was detected in opioid use disorder treatment engagement on day 7 between the 7-day extended-release and sublingual buprenorphine groups. Both buprenorphine formulations were well tolerated; precipitated withdrawal was rare despite a high prevalence of fentanyl. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04225598.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Racial and ethnic differences in medications for opioid use disorder and overdose in 11 state Medicaid programs from 2016 to 2020

  Journal of Substance Use and Addiction Treatment · 2026-03-05

  articleOpen access

  INTRODUCTION: Access to medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) varies across racial and ethnic groups. As the largest payer for MOUD, Medicaid has potential to ensure access for all enrollees. We aimed to quantify recent trends and state variation in MOUD use by race and ethnicity in Medicaid. METHODS: Using a distributed research network, we conducted a cross-sectional study of 11 states' Medicaid data from 2016 to 2020. Among enrollees diagnosed with opioid use disorder (OUD), we measured the percent receiving MOUD (overall; and methadone, buprenorphine, naltrexone, separately), continuity of MOUD for ≥180 days, and claims-based overdose event rates. We estimated logistic regression models in each state with fixed effects for year, race/ethnicity, and year and race/ethnicity interaction terms to examine changes in demographic differences in outcomes over time, adjusting for patient characteristics. We pooled estimates using random effects meta-analyses. RESULTS: Of the 542,414 enrollees with OUD in 2020, 430,891 (79.4%) were non-Hispanic white, 77,952 (14.4%) were non-Hispanic Black, 17,094 (3.2%) were Hispanic, and 16,477 (3.0%) had other race or ethnicity. MOUD use increased among enrollees in all racial and ethnic groups over time. The share of non-Hispanic white enrollees diagnosed with OUD receiving MOUD increased from 52.3% to 68.8% from 2016 to 2020 while the percent of non-Hispanic Black enrollees receiving MOUD from 37.2% to 49.7% during that period. Differences were widest for buprenorphine versus methadone or naltrexone. In adjusted analyses, Hispanic and Non-Hispanic Black enrollees were less likely to receive MOUD (adjusted odds ratios (AOR) = 0.67 [95 CI 0.49-0.91] and AOR = 0.41 [95 CI 0.33-0.52], respectively) compared to non-Hispanic white enrollees in 2016. Differences in receipt of MOUD did not change from 2016 to 2020. Non-Hispanic Black enrollees were less likely to have continuous MOUD relative to non-Hispanic white enrollees (AOR = 0.68 [95 CI 0.61-0.77)]. Overdose events peaked in 2017 for all racial and ethnic groups and were highest for Hispanic enrollees in 2020. CONCLUSION: MOUD increased among all racial and ethnic groups in 11 state Medicaid programs from 2016 to 2020. Yet, racial and ethnic differences in MOUD persisted, especially for buprenorphine. Our findings can inform Medicaid efforts to improve access to MOUD for all enrollees affected by OUD.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Advancing research on strategies to reduce drug use and overdose-related harms: a community informed approach to establishing common data elements

  Harm Reduction Journal · 2025-10-15 · 1 citations

  articleOpen access

  With the overdose crisis continuing to pose significant challenges in North America, harm reduction strategies are critical for public health systems to reduce mortality and morbidity. Despite the considerable strides in harm reduction research, high-quality evidence for decision-making is limited. This is compounded by a variation in reported outcomes, drug supply, administration changes, and policy and social impacts, which further challenge researchers and practitioners in their efforts to implement effective, nimble harm reduction interventions. Adoption of common data elements (CDEs) and common outcome measures (COMs) helps researchers standardize and enhance data collection and outcome reporting, ultimately improving the comparability and generalizability of research findings. To accelerate the pace and use of CDEs, members of the NIDA HEAL Research on Interventions for Stability and Engagement (RISE) engaged in prospective semantic harmonization and consensus on CDEs and COMs using a rigorous pragmatic Delphi community informed approach. This process resulted in a set of CDEs and COMs that standardized data collection and reporting across 10 harm reduction research projects. This paper describes this process and presents the derived CDEs and COMs, along with key considerations, challenges encountered, and lessons learned.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Characterization of a Young Adult Sample Accessing Buprenorphine Via Telehealth in Philadelphia, PA

  Journal of Addiction Medicine · 2025-04-14

  article

  BACKGROUND: Adolescents and young adults (AYA) face distinct barriers when accessing care for opioid use disorder (OUD). Our objective was to compare characteristics of young adults to older adults seeking buprenorphine via telehealth and examines retention in care. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study compares young adults (ages 18-29) to older callers (age 30 and above) prescribed buprenorphine via a health system-based telehealth bridge clinic, CareConnect, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania from 2021 to 2023. We compared patient and treatment characteristics using χ2 tests. Interactions between the age groups and independent variables were analyzed. Significant interactions were retained. Multivariable logistic regression evaluated factors associated with buprenorphine retention. RESULTS: Of the 1023 telehealth callers, 152 (15%) were young adults. The majority identified as male (60%) and were enrolled in Medicaid (74%). Of the sample, 45% identified as White, 36% identified as Black, and 12% identified as Hispanic. Young adult callers were more likely to identify as Hispanic than older callers (19% vs. 11%, P<0.03) and more likely to report incarceration in the last 1 month (17% vs. 9%, P<0.03). There were no significant differences in buprenorphine retention between younger and older adults. Lack of insurance among all adults was associated with lower odds of retention in buprenorphine treatment than insured patients (aOR=0.4, 95% CI=0.2-0.6). Young adults who identified as Black had lower odds of buprenorphine retention(aOR=0.3, 95% CI=0.1-0.8). CONCLUSIONS: Our study highlights the importance of insurance coverage to support continued buprenorphine treatment engagement. This analysis also underscores the need for interventions to mitigate OUD treatment disparities among minoritized young.

  PublisherDOI

• “To not feel fake, it can’t be fake”: co-creation of a harm reduction, peer-delivered, health-system intervention for people who use drugs

  Harm Reduction Journal · 2025-06-18 · 1 citations

  articleOpen access1st authorCorresponding

  BACKGROUND: People who use drugs (PWUD) continue to experience not only high overdose rates but also growing infectious complications. In response, there has been a growing focus on increasing access to harm reduction resources, particularly among hospitalized PWUD. However, there is limited data on how best to integrate harm reduction into hospital settings. We describe using a Design Sprint, a human-centered design process, to co-create an intervention with people who have lived experience (PWLE) focused on improving access and adoption of harm reduction behaviors for hospitalized PWUD. METHODS: We recruited a sample of PWLE from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. We recruited a total of 14 participants over a 3-week period from March to April 2024. There were four Design Sprint sessions, two-hours in length, delivered via HIPAA-compliant zoom. Participants identified intervention components, sketched the intervention, and prototyped the planned intervention process. Sessions were recorded and transcribed verbatim. The team identified intervention components and key themes using thematic analysis. RESULTS: There were 14 PWLE (mean age 40.4 years; majority white) who participated in at least one Design Sprint session. Participants conceptualized an intervention delivered by a THRIVE navigator who establishes rapport, identifies what if any goals the participant may have, offers information from a menu of harm reduction topics, and helps participants create a Wellness Plan focused on achieving their goals and overcoming likely barriers. The THRIVE navigator will then follow-up via weekly text messages. There were four additional themes that informed intervention content and implementation. These were related to the hospital being experienced as a hostile environment to PWUD; the value of health information being delivered by PWLE who can speak authentically; the importance of creating a flexible participant-led intervention offering a range of content; and the importance of neutrality to building authenticity and attaining participant buy-in. CONCLUSIONS: The Design Sprint process allowed for rich input from PWLE on the design, scope, content, and implementation of the THRIVE intervention. Findings highlight the importance of a peer navigator role to embody relational harm reduction and guide THRIVE participants in education and goal setting around a host of wellness-related behaviors.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Multidisciplinary Perspectives on a New Hospital Addiction Consult Service: A Mixed- Methods Study

  Research Square · 2025-12-11

  preprintOpen access
  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Caring for Hospitalized Patients with Substance Use Disorders: An Interprofessional Needs Assessment Survey

  American Journal of Medicine Open · 2025-08-21

  articleOpen access

  Background: Hospitalizations among people who use drugs (PWUD) are increasing, and addiction consult services (ACS) are an emerging best practice for improving care. Methods: We conducted a web-based needs assessment survey of physicians, advanced practice providers (APP), and nurses at a Philadelphia academic hospital in March 2023 before implementing an ACS. We assessed knowledge gaps, barriers to care, and perceived service needs. Results: Of 472 clinicians surveyed, 236 responded (50% response rate). Participants felt most prepared to assess withdrawal and diagnose or recognize substance use disorders (SUDs) but lacked confidence in care linkage and harm reduction. Reported barriers included patient social needs, resource availability, and lack of expert consultation. Conclusions: While most participants agreed that SUDs are treatable, many reported compromised patient care due to inadequate support as well as burnout associated with caring for PWUD. Future work should examine whether ACSs address the perceived barriers to care for hospitalized PWUD while supporting clinicians.

  PublisherDOI

• Uncovering the hidden drivers of change in CAMHS: Using COM-B and systems mapping to understand staff experience

  Clinical Psychology Forum · 2025-12-04

  articleSenior author

  Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) face mounting pressures due to increased demand, emotional complexity, and systemic strain. Improving outcomes for young people must go hand-in-hand with supporting the workforce that delivers care. This study describes a service innovation project that applied the COM-B model (Capability, Opportunity, Motivation – Behaviour) alongside behavioural systems mapping to identify barriers and enablers to change in a multidisciplinary CAMHS setting. Through the development of a systems map and structured focus group analysis, staff highlighted key feedback loops contributing to burnout, disengagement, and limited organisational responsiveness. COM-B provided a structured lens to interpret these dynamics and co-produce feasible, context-specific service improvements. This method, adapted from research culture transformation work, offers a novel and transferable approach for service development in mental health settings.

  PublisherDOI

• One voice and vision: How the RISE network built a collective identity as the foundation for strategic dissemination

  Harm Reduction Journal · 2025-12-08

  articleOpen access

  BACKGROUND: A collective identity is a set of shared values and value propositions that an investigator network projects as they deliver data and knowledge generated through their studies to community partners, policymakers, research participants, public health authorities, and prospective end users. The strategic process of identifying common values and establishing procedures to ensure the consistent communication of a collective identity across a diverse network of research teams is often not considered in research networks' dissemination of results. This paper describes how the HEAL Research on Interventions for Stability and Engagement (RISE) network co-created communication pillars that embody a set of common values and shared research imperatives to frame dissemination activities. METHODS: Early in the development of RISE, project teams participated in an in-person workshop to identify attributes and core values that they believed to be representative of their individual research programs. Dissemination coordinators analyzed and synthesized themes from workshop material, including presentations and posterboard illustrations, and used Mural whiteboarding software to distill these themes into core values and value propositions to collectively share across the research sites. RESULTS: The four communication pillars, which encompass our collective identity and are the foundation of our dissemination program, are (1) Doing Research with Communities, (2) Centering on the Lives and Experiences of People Who Use Drugs, (3) Emphasizing Scientific Rigor and Integrity; and (4) Focusing on Social Determinants. We present examples of how project teams are demonstrating the pillars throughout the research process and outline how the communication pillars inform the planning and dissemination of RISE-produced evidence to end users. CONCLUSIONS: Applying concepts from strategic communication and social marketing, we demonstrate how a research network of independent investigators can create a collective identity, formulate a cogent narrative communicating their contributions to a field of practice, and establish a foundation for a successful research dissemination program.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Caring for Hospitalized Patients with Substance Use Disorders: An Interprofessional Needs Assessment Survey

  SSRN Electronic Journal · 2025-01-01

  preprintOpen access
  PublisherDOI

Recent grants

• Treatment of Opioid Use Disorder in Young Adults Hospitalized with Infectious Complications of Injection Opioid Use

  NIH · $570k · 2020–2024

• THRIVE: Teaching Health promotion and Resilience in Varied Environments: a peer-led intervention following hospital discharge

  NIH · $3.0M · 2022–2027

Frequent coauthors

• Emily Rider-Longmaid

  University of Pennsylvania

  9 shared

• Jane M. Liebschutz

  University of Pittsburgh

  8 shared

• Leonard Feldman

  Johns Hopkins Medicine

  6 shared

• Anika Alvanzo

  Johns Hopkins Medicine

  6 shared

• Jessica S. Merlin

  University of Pittsburgh

  6 shared

• Natalie Spicyn

  University of Maryland, Baltimore

  5 shared

• Pamela A. Matson

  Johns Hopkins University

  5 shared

• Lydia H. Pecker

  Johns Hopkins Medicine

  4 shared

Labs

• Wilson LabPI

Awards & honors

• Presidential Assistant Professor