Holly Geyer, MD

Presented jointly by ArMA and the Arizona Department of Health Services, the Public Health Service Award recognizes an individual, organization, or educational program that has made significant efforts to address public health issues. This year’s recipient is Dr. Holly Geyer.

As Chair of the Mayo Clinic Arizona Opioid Stewardship Program and a nationally recognized expert in addiction medicine, Dr. Geyer took action when Arizona passed a law requiring public schools to carry naloxone. Recognizing that many schools faced barriers such as lack of training, liability concerns, and cost, she assembled a coalition of physicians, nurses, addiction specialists, public health experts, police, and educators to develop a plan for implementation.
Her leadership has secured 16,000 free naloxone kits, with the first shipment reaching all 15 Arizona counties. She is now developing educational videos to train students and school staff on recognizing and responding to an opioid overdose. 

Dr. Geyer is a nationally recognized voice on opioid addiction, using television, radio, and her book, Ending the Crisis: Mayo Clinic’s Guide to Opioid Addiction and Safe Opioid Use, to educate the public on responsible opioid use, addiction prevention, and treatment. Her work helps shift the narrative from stigma to science-based solutions, ultimately saving lives.