Dr. Mary Cullen Earns Board Certification in Addiction Medicine
Dr. Mary Cullen has achieved board certification in the subspecialty of addiction medicine through the American Osteopathic Association, a milestone she says reflects a personal commitment that began more than a decade ago.
By 2013, Dr. Cullen had already spent three years providing primary care to Amoskeag Health patients and had grown deeply familiar with their needs and concerns. Recognizing how limited resources were for pregnant women with substance use disorders, she began offering medication treatment for this underserved population. What started as an effort to fill a gap in care soon grew into a major component of the community health center's services, as word spread and more patients sought help.
After more than ten years of gaining knowledge about and treating substance use disorder, Dr. Cullen began pursuing her board certification. Among other program requirements, candidates must practice a minimum of 1,000 hours of addiction medicine in a two-year period and complete ongoing medical education. While the extensive certification exam required many hours of studying, Dr. Cullen says it was a welcome challenge because this preparation strengthened the care she provides her patients.
"For me, this certification is not simply a professional accomplishment,” says Dr. Cullen. “It reflects my commitment to treating substance use disorders with the same compassion, evidence-based care, and medical expertise that I bring to every other aspect of my practice. I am proud to have pursued this path and grateful for the opportunity to continue helping patients and families affected by addiction."
Today, about a third of Dr. Cullen’s practice at Amoskeag Health is devoted to addiction medicine and supporting patients on their recovery journey. In addition to this new certification, Dr. Cullen is board certified in Family Medicine.
To learn more about Dr. Cullen, click here.
To learn more about Amoskeag Health's Substance Use Treatment Program and Medication Assisted Treatment, click here.
