Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Oct. 20, 2003

VERMONT MEDICAL SOCIETY HONORS THOMAS E. PERRAS WITH CITIZEN OF THE YEAR AWARD

A longtime state employee who played a pivotal role in expanding substance abuse treatment in Vermont has been honored by the Vermont Medical Society with its Citizen of the Year Award for 2003.

Thomas E. Perras of Burlington, who recently retired as director of the Division of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Programs in the Vermont Department of Health, was presented the award at the 190^th Annual Meeting of the Vermont Medical Society, held on Oct. 17-18 at the Woodstock Inn in Woodstock.

Perras served the people of Vermont for 36 years in a variety of positions with state government. Beginning as a social worker, probation and parole officer, he was promoted to director of field and juvenile services in the Department of Corrections and eventually served as director of the Probation and Parole Division and the department’s deputy commissioner.

Seeing firsthand the struggles of Vermonters with alcohol and drug addiction, Perras dedicated himself to improving the delivery of prevention, intervention, and treatment services. At the Department of Health, he brought together various groups in the substance abuse field to work together as one statewide coalition.

Such an approach has been effective, Perras said, because “it put a face on the disease of addiction, with communities, with the Legislature, and the press.”

During his tenure as division director, Perras said one of his primary objectives was to increase the involvement of the medical community in substance abuse treatment. Hundreds of nurses and physicians have been trained, and treatment has gradually been moving to the physician office setting. “Once that happens, I think you begin to reduce the stigma associated with the disease,” he said.

Other significant improvements that occurred under Perras’ leadership include the opening of an outpatient treatment program in Chittenden County and the establishment of a treatment protocol for opiate-addicted pregnant women. “That truly is saving lives. Two lives at a time, in fact with the fetus and the mother at risk,” said Perras.

Even though he retired from his state government job Sept. 1, Perras plans to stay active in the field of substance addiction treatment and prevention by working as a consultant.

The Vermont Medical Society’s Citizen of the Year Award is presented to a non-physician resident of Vermont who has made a significant contribution to the health of the people of Vermont.

The mission of the Vermont Medical Society is to serve the public by facilitating and enhancing physicians’ individual and collective commitments, capabilities and efforts to improve the quality of life for the people of Vermont through the provision of accessible and appropriate health care services.

*** Photo Caption: Thomas E. Perras (left) accepts the Vermont Medical Society’s Citizen of the Year Award from Dr. Mildred Reardon (center) and Dr. James O’Brien, president of the Vermont Medical Society (right).
Click on image above to enlarge