Dr. Shalu Gugnani, Dr. Shalu Gugnani, MD, FASAM, is a board member of ISAM and a distinguished medical professional with a remarkable journey in the field of addiction medicine. Her career is marked by a strong educational foundation and a passion for improving healthcare services.

 

Dr. Gugnani embarked on her academic journey at the University of Illinois, where she graduated with honors from the Guaranteed Professional Program Admissions initiative, excelling in both undergraduate and medical studies. After completing her medical studies, she gained valuable experience during a surgical internship at Washington Hospital Center in Washington, DC.

 

Her commitment to medical excellence led her to complete her residency at them Meharry/Vanderbilt alliance in Nashville, Tennessee, where she honed her skills in the field of medicine. Noting healthcare disparities across various demographics, in particular the lack of consistent care and access to treatment for those struggling with substance use disorders, she completed an elective in addiction medicine at the University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics. Dr. Gugnani's dedication to advancing her expertise in addiction medicine led her back to the University of Wisconsin where she completed an interdisciplinary fellowship in addiction medicine in conjunction with the William H. Middleton VA. In addition to clinical care, Dr. Gugnani most enjoyed teaching the Family Medicine and Psychiatry residents in addition to participating in research initiatives that were later published in Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research.

 

After completing her fellowship, Dr. Gugnani took on a pivotal role in her career and joined Northwest Community Healthcare to serve the area in which she grew up. She played a significant part in launching the addiction treatment service line at this suburban hospital, serving the northwest suburbs. Her tenure included serving as an Associate Medical Director from 2016 to 2017 and subsequently as Medical Director from 2017 to 2023. During her leadership, she was instrumental in expanding behavioral health services to include residential treatment services, intensive outpatient programming, and a behavioral health clinic.

 

Dr. Gugnani's contributions extended to the development of evidence-based protocols for detoxification services across various healthcare settings, including medical inpatient, emergency departments, and ambulatory facilities. She actively participated in quality improvement initiatives and chaired the wellness committee, demonstrating her commitment to improving patient care and staff well-being. She worked in conjunction with the AHPD, Live4Lali, and other behavioral health community leaders to introduce the CARES program to the Arlington Heights community, in efforts to expand access to treatment as opposed to incarceration for those struggling with opioid use disorder. She now serves as a member of the Board of Health for the Village of Arlington Heights.

 

Her dedication to the field of medicine earned her recognition from esteemed organizations such as the Society of Teachers of Family Medicine and the Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honor Society. She is a Fellow of the American Society of Addiction Medicine. In her ongoing pursuit of excellence, Dr. Gugnani completed the prestigious 9-month Global Health Care Leadership program at Harvard Medical School, further enhancing her leadership skills and global healthcare perspective.

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Dr. Gugnani's dedication to advancing addiction medicine extends beyond clinical practice. She serves as a medical expert for Novo Nordisk and continues to focus on refining precision laboratory diagnostics for addiction medicine, collaborating with her German partner from the Global Health Care Leadership Program. She will be joining Gateway Foundation as a physician advisor.

 

Dr. Shalu Gugnani's career is a testament to her unwavering commitment to improving healthcare services, particularly in the field of addiction medicine. Her accomplishments, leadership, and contributions have had a positive impact on the medical community and the lives of countless individuals seeking addiction treatment.