Project RESPECT provides comprehensive care for pregnant and postpartum individuals with substance use disorders. We work with people at any stage of the recovery spectrum, whether experiencing active addiction or multiple years of stability. The program offers medical treatment, behavioral health support, and long-term support to help patients navigate recovery. With a multidisciplinary team of specialists, Project RESPECT ensures that patients receive individualized, evidence-based care before and after delivery. By addressing both medical and social challenges, the program aims to improve maternal and infant health outcomes while supporting lasting recovery. ### Project RESPECT - [Contact Us](#contact-us) - [Conditions We Treat](#conditions-we-treat) - [Treatments & Services](#treatments-services) - [Our Team](#our-team) - [Patient Resources](#patient-resources) - [Additional Information](#additional-information) - [Research Overview](#research-overview) - [Residency and Fellowship Information](#residency-and-fellowship-information) ## Contact Us ##### Obstetrics [ 725 Albany St., Boston, MA 02118 5th Floor BMC, Shapiro Center ](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/725+Albany+Street,+Boston,+MA) [617.414.6376](tel:617.414.6376) 8 AM - 5 PM, Monday-Friday [ ![](https://assets.bmc.org/transform/bfc9329a-5a2c-47fb-a7a2-c64d0d17dfba/img_1611?io=transform:fill,width:300,height:200&format=jpg) ](/content/shapiro-center) ## Conditions We Treat - [Substance Use Disorders](/content/substance-use-disorders) ## Treatments & Services We offer monitored, acute substance withdrawal treatment and induction of medications for opioid use disorder in pregnant patients seeking treatment. Intensive, individualized out-patient treatment plans are outlined for each patient based on the severity of their disease, their individual goals, and their recovery progress. The out-patient medical home model provides on site, collaborative and multidisciplinary care for pregnant and post-partum patients in recovery. The Project RESPECT clinical team collaborates and coordinates care with the inpatient Obstetric, Pediatric, Psychiatry, Social Work, Nursing and Lactation teams at Boston Medical Center to provide supportive and informed care. They also have developed strong partnerships n with multiple community based organizations including local methadone clinics, residential addiction treatment centers, the Department of Public Health, and the Department of Children and Families. ## Our Team ### [Kelley A. Saia, MD](https://www.bmc.org/about-us/directory/doctor/kelley-saia-md) Obstetrician-Gynecologist ![](https://assets.bmc.org/transform/f9df9fd1-eb28-485d-b117-96bb5f057268/Kelley-Saia_634_2x3?io=transform:fill,width:333,height:500&format=jpg) ### [Erica Holland, MD](https://www.bmc.org/about-us/directory/doctor/erica-holland-md) Obstetrician-Gynecologist ![](https://assets.bmc.org/transform/a6148889-88a0-41b2-889b-f5470ce1c4fa/Holland_Erica?io=transform:fill,width:333,height:500&format=jpg) ### [Emily W Rosenthal, MD](https://www.bmc.org/about-us/directory/doctor/emily-w-rosenthal-md) Obstetrician-Gynecologist ![](https://assets.bmc.org/transform/9a0dad8e-db07-427f-896f-7263f8cf06ff/Rosenthal_Emily-2020?io=transform:fill,width:333,height:500&format=jpg) ### [Cecily M. Barber, MD, MPH](https://www.bmc.org/about-us/directory/doctor/cecily-m-barber-md-mph) Obstetrician-Gynecologist ![](https://assets.bmc.org/transform/ecab649f-2088-4ecb-a9ed-0caa232d9009/Barber_Cecily-jpg?io=transform:fill,width:333,height:500&format=jpg) ### [Maithri F. Ameresekere, MD, MSc, PMH-C](https://www.bmc.org/about-us/directory/doctor/maithri-f-ameresekere-md-msc-pmh-c) Psychiatrist; Director, Women’s Mental Health Program ![](https://assets.bmc.org/transform/479c07f6-aeeb-4f57-b4a3-05c8df3288a1/Maithri-Ameresekere_300_2x3?io=transform:fill,width:333,height:500&format=jpg) **Karissa Giovannini, MSW, LICSW** Clinical Program Manager 617-414-2593 **Phaedra Moore, BA** Lead Peer Recovery Specialist 617-414-2283 **Ingrid St. Hill, MA** Scheduling Coordinator 617-414-3772 **Bassilisa Texerira** Medical Assistant **Janette McKinnon, BSN RN** Nurse Care Manager 617-414-7349 **Nicole J Phillips, MSW, LCSW** Clinical Social Worker 617-414-5901 **Annalise Elsasser, MSW LCSW** Clinical Social Worker 617-414-7344 **Nicollette Johnson, MPH** Data Manager **Nadeen Ibrahim, A.B.** Research Assistant For program inquiries, including education or speaking opportunities: please email ## Patient Resources [### Pregnancy Learn more about our pregnancy services including Midwives, Maternal Fetal Medicine, Centering Pregnancy, Addiction and Pregnancy and Pregnancy Ultrasound ](/obstetrics/pregnancy) ## Additional Information [Pregnant Women Treated for Opioid Use Disorder Deliver Babies without Neonatal …](https://www.bmc.org/addiction/pregnancy-and-newborns/pregnant-women-treated-opioid-use-disorder-deliver-babies-without-neonatal-withdrawal) [Symptom-Triggered Treatment for Neonatal Withdrawal Syndrome](https://www.bmc.org/addiction/pregnancy-and-newborns/symptom-triggered-treatment-neonatal-withdrawal-syndrome-benefits-babies) ## Research Overview [**Quality improvement initiative to improve inpatient outcomes for Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome**](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29740196/) - Wachman EM, Grossman M, Schiff DM, et al. . *J Perinatol*. 2018;38(8):1114-1122. doi:10.1038/s41372-018-0109-8 [**Opioid addiction in pregnancy**](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23233054/). - Shainker SA, Saia K, Lee-Parritz A. *Obstet Gynecol Surv*. 2012;67(12):817-825. doi:10.1097/OGX.0b013e3182788e8c [**Caring for Pregnant Women with Opioid Use Disorder in the USA: Expanding and Improving Treatment.**](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27563497/) **-** Saia KA, Schiff D, Wachman EM, et al. *Curr Obstet Gynecol Rep*. 2016;5(3):257-263. doi:10.1007/s13669-016-0168-9 [**Naltrexone Treatment for Pregnant Women With Opioid Use Disorder Compared With Matched Buprenorphine Control Subjects**](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31358302/) - Wachman EM, Saia K, Miller M, et al.. *Clin Ther*. 2019;41(9):1681-1689. doi:10.1016/j.clinthera.2019.07.003 [**Prenatal treatment for opioid dependency: observations from a large inner-city clinic.**](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28086944/) **-** Saia K, Bagley SM, Wachman EM, Patel PP, Nadas MD, Brogly SB. *Addict Sci Clin Pract*. 2017;12(1):5. Published 2017 Jan 13. doi:10.1186/s13722-016-0070-9 ## Residency and Fellowship Information ##### Addiction Medicine Fellowship Mission of the Grayken Fellowship in Addiction Medicine is to train physician addiction medicine leaders in clinical care, research, education, public health, and advocacy to improve addiction care for people vulnerable to health inequities due to race, ethnicity, gender, poverty, age, disability or stigmatizing illness. The Grayken Addiction Medicine Fellowship Program is a 1 or 2 year fellowship. There is also a 3-year combined Infectious Disease-Addiction Medicine Fellowship and a 2-year Fellowship in Maternal Health Addiction. Fellows are mentored by our multidisciplinary faculty from Internal Medicine, Infectious Disease, Emergency Medicine, Obstetrics & Gynecology and Addiction Psychiatry. The Grayken Fellowship in Addiction Medicine is accredited by the ACGME. [**Click here to learn more**](https://www.bumc.bu.edu/care/education-and-training-programs/care-program-fellowship-in-addiction-medicine/)