Jay Kuchera, MD, FASAM - Algiatry, Addiction Medicine, Anesthesiology; Director, Specialized Opioid Support Services, Resolute Pain Solutions, Envision Physician Services.
Working as the only addiction board-certified pain doctor at Resolute Pain Solutions, a large, multi-site South Florida pain practice, Doctor Kuchera has extensive experience with complex opioid care. He is the Director of Specialized Opioid Support Services, which inspires the retention and treatment of high-risk pain patients who would otherwise be discharged. Advocating for the improved care of opioid patients and opioid use disorder in non-addiction specialized settings, he is co- chair of the Substance Use Disorder Shared Interest Group at the American Academy of Pain Medicine. He is a member of the Pain Quality Committee at Envision Physician Services. He is active in Celebrate Recovery and CR Inside for incarcerated individuals.
My interest in becoming a healthcare provider was sparked as early as my high school years. It all began while lifeguarding at a local pool one summer. At the time, I witnessed a family member drop to the ground. Not having a true understanding of what to do, I felt helpless. It was then I knew pursuing a career path in healthcare was what my heart truly desired. Since then, medicine has always been an integral part of of my higher learning and which I am truly passionate about. I watched my father practice as a pediatric Orthopedist, in Baltimore. He made a difference in peoples lives and that was what I wanted to do. Rudolf Virchow once said “Medical education does not exist to provide students with a way of making a living, but to ensure the health of the community.” And so I set out on my journey to becoming a doctor. I became a lifeguard and first responder. I had the honor of volunteering at the local fire station in high school as well as obtaining my certification as an EMT and Fire Fighter. Upon graduation I attended The George Washington University. They were one of twelve schools in the nation to have a baccalaureate program devoted to Emergency Health Services. There I obtained my undergraduate degree and paramedic certification. Unfortunately, I injured my back and was forced to reexamine my decision to become a first responder. This hurdle led me down the path of pursuing medical school.
I worked as a Scribe in the ER and Paramedic/Fire Fighter in Baltimore while taking post-baccalaureate classes at GW and studying for the MCAT. After completing DO school at Nova Southeastern University College of Osteopathic Medicine I completed my internship/residency in West Islip, NY at Good Samaritan Hospital with focus on emergency medicine and trauma. I had the opportunity to train in New York, New Jersey, and in Baltimore at the prestigious Shock Trauma Center. My first job as a physician took me to Northern California where I launched the first ER Scribe program as well as worked as the Pre-hospital EMS Medical Director. I spent a great deal of time teaching in the clinical setting.
For the past 9 years I have called South Florida my home, working at JFK Medical Center in Atlantis Florida and now exclusively work at JFK North as the medical director. I also spend quite a bit of time investing in the education of the students that rotate with us. Yes, medicine is my passion but so is teaching. There is nothing more rewarding than seeing the light in a student’s eyes when they get to have exciting experiences or understand a new concept. It is my calling as a provider to pass on the knowledge and the excitement to my students. I am the medical director for Health Career Institute College in West Palm Beach, FL teaching regular lectures to the EMT/Paramedic students. Additionally, I work in conjunction with local EMS departments. I am the Assistant Medical Director for West Palm Beach Fire Department, Medical Director for Palm Beach Shores Fire Department, Medical Director for Palm Beach County Ocean Rescue, Assistant Medical Director for Palm Beach County Fire Rescue and Chairman of the EMS Medical Director’s Association. Recently I took on another role as the doctor for the West Palm Beach SWAT Team keeping our team safe in the line of duty. I look forward to a long career and giving back to my students and the community. Who knows one day one of my students may take care of me or my family down the road!
Dr. Brent Schillinger is a past president of the Palm Beach County Medical Society and currently chairs the society’s Opioid Healthcare Response Initiative. This task force has been operational since 2017 with an overarching goal of reducing opioid deaths in Palm Beach County.
Dr. Schillinger received his MD at Downstate Medical Center in Brooklyn New York where he went on to complete a residency program in dermatology. He has chaired the Council on Ethical and Judicial Affairs for both the Palm Beach County Medical Society and the Florida Medical Association. He represents the medical community on the Palm Beach Ethics Coalition.
Dr. Schillinger also serves as vice chair of the Florida Policy Institute a nonpartisan think tank that focuses on the fiscal impact of education, affordable housing, food supply, and health care issues. He holds clinical academic appointments at the medical schools of Nova Southeastern University, Florida Atlantic University, and the University of Miami.
