3541 Randolph Rd Ste 102W Charlotte, NC 28211
Why Use Medication Assisted Treatment Including Suboxone?
George L Raad, M.D. - Medical Director
Dr. Raad has treated over 28,000 moderate to high acuity patients during his thirty-five plus year career while the Medical Director Atrium Healthcare's medical detoxification program. Dr. Raad has been innovative in his response to changing patients and changing drugs in the substance use disorder field, and he has earned high patient satisfaction scores during his tenure. he was one of the first providers to utilize Suboxone and Buprenorphine to treat opioid substance use disorders.
He is the past recipient of the prestigious North Carolina Jody Kellerman award for excellence in the field of substance abuse treatment. Dr. Raad is a much sought-after trainer and expert in the field of substance use disorders. He has presented to many varied professional groups and has appeared on numerous television reports on addiction. He has a private family medicine practice, a concierge medical practice and a research facility in Charlotte, NC.
EDWARD "EDDIE" HAMMETT, - DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS
Eddie joined Dr. Raad at StartBupe in November 2017 and oversees the day to day operations of the program. Prior to becoming the Director of Operations at StartBupe, Eddie spent thirty (30) years in law enforcement, the last twenty-seven (27) serving as a Special Agent with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). Having spent the last ten (10) years of his career with the DEA in Charlotte, Eddie has an institutional knowledge of the ravages that opioid addiction has unleashed on the United States, especially in the State of North Carolina. Eddie believes in a partnership with law enforcement, medical professionals, treatment program, families, and patients are needed to cure this opioid epidemic.
Eddie spent his last three (3) with DEA involved with community outreach programs in the greater Charlotte as well as other areas of North Carolina regarding the dangers of opiate addiction, especially at the high school and college realm. These outreach programs made Eddie self-aware how important that the availability of substance abuse treatment is and Eddie passionate about helping people with this endeavor which lead him to StartBupe.
Eddie is originally from Spartanburg, SC where he started his law enforcement career after graduating From The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina in Charleston. Eddie is an avid outdoors man who loves to chase whitetail deer and eastern wild turkey in his home state as well as attending football games of his beloved South Carolina Gamecocks where his dad and mentor played football.
Christa Flatt, CADC - Lead Counselor
Christa moved to Charlotte in 2007 after receiving her Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) from Missouri State University. After graduating, Christa worked as a certified pharmacy technician.
In May of 2017, Christa joined the original startup company that became StartBupe. Today, she is a Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC). She also assists our medical providers and clients with pharmacy and prescription concerns.
In her spare time, Christa enjoys reading and spending time with her husband, babies and two dogs, Rodgers and Ares.
Pastor Fred Rudder - Pastoral Care
Pastor Fred, hailing from South Carolina, was originally a newspaper man. His family’s printing company designed and engineered the colors that you find in newspapers and circulars to this day. Upon leaving the firm in 1985, he embarked on his life’s work to begin his ministry that works with both spiritual and non-spiritual followers to aid in discovery of their life’s purpose.
Pastor Fred has over 30 years of combined education and experience in both science and spirituality to form his unique Pastoral Care program offered here at StartBupe. It begins with a Game-Plan tailored to the patient to aid both growth in all areas of life and ultimately living a life that is free from drugs. Moreover, self-care is an equally important tenet of his program that promotes a successful recovery of the entire person. He calls our patients whom elect to participate in pastoral care “wounded healers” because of their past and “warriors” because their trials will be used to aid their future testimony to others. The final step is Pay-It-Forward for patients to pass along what they’ve learned to help those suffering from their addiction.
Pastor Fred has four children and nine grandchildren who keep him very busy. He enjoys spending time with his fiancée and combined families. He enjoys the outdoors, traveling, music, dancing and new experiences in general. And Pastor Fred always appreciates a restaurant recommendation for him to try on his various travels!
Michael Benson - Director of Compliance
Michael joined StartBupe in January 2017 while the company was still a pilot program. Today, he monitors the program as its Director of Compliance, for both patient and regulatory.
A native Charlottean, Michael graduated from Charlotte Catholic and attended Duke University, where he earned a B.S. in Biology and a double minor in chemistry and history.
Michael remained in Durham after graduating to work in clinical research. He has since returned to his hometown and started a small business dealing in various types of collectibles.
Michael enjoys reading, coffee, and spoiling his cat Milo.
Lisa Cassell - Director of Patient Relations
Lisa joined StartBupe in July 2018 in an administrative assistant capacity and quickly proved herself to be a valuable integral part of the program in her transition to Patient Relations and Case Management. She now serves as the Director of Patient Relations while still lending her expertise to our patient’s by directly participating in their case management.
Originally from Virginia, Lisa moved to Charlotte a little over fifteen years ago. Most of her career prior to StartBupe was spent in both advertising and elementary education. She is married with two daughters and two fur-babies, Shih Tzus named Bentley and Bella.
Lisa enjoys the outdoors, going camping, visiting waterfalls, attending football games (Go Hoos!) and spending time with her husband, family and friends.
Jamie Goebel - Audio Video Coordinator / Telemedicine Intakes
Jamie is one of the first people that speak with our clients. He arranges the live tele-medicine clinical visits by Dr. Raad. He introduces our clients during the video calls to other members of our staff.
He enjoys lake living, restoring old time pieces, reading and political discourse.
Jill Doohan
Jill is our toxicology processor from Andor Labs. She began her clinical association with StartBupe in early 2018. Originally from New York, she moved to Charlotte in 2006 after working ten years in the field of oncology medicine.
Jill is married with two active children and two lazy dogs. She enjoys being the soccer and lacrosse mom and will always make time for the beach!
ROBERT MARTIN, J.D., CEAP - Director of Community Relations
Bob is our marketing and program analyst guru. He is in charge of our website, our marketing and branding, our community relations and outreach programs.
He brings over twenty-eight years of experience as a leader in the recovery and substance use disorder fields to StartBupe.
In long term recovery since February 1991, he enjoys sharing his experience, strength and hope with others.
Camille Hammett
Camille is our Social Media Marketing Assistant. She works with Robert Martin to keep our Social Media up to date. Camille has a strong passion to help others. She also works on outreach to youth that have substance abuse disorder. Since Camille has a strong passion for helping others, she plans on pursing a Nursing Major in college.
When she's not working, she enjoys going to football games, going to the lake or beach, and hanging out with her friends and family. Camille can also always be found tailgating at South Carolina Gamecock football games (Go Cocks!).