UTC’s Megan McKnight gets White House recognition for opioid overdose prevention

(Left): Megan McKnight & Dr. Rahul Gupta (director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy) (Right): Megan McKnight and Dr. Michael Hole (White House Fellow with the Domestic Policy Council) / UTC

WASHINGTON D.C. (WDEF) —  UTC’s Center for Wellbeing Director, Megan McKnight, received special recognition for opioid overdose prevention.

McKnight was honored in Washington, D.C., as part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s White House Challenge to Save Lives from Overdose.

The event was held on October 8, 2024, recognizing McKnight and over 250 other national leaders for their dedication to expanding access to opioid reversal medication and reducing drug overdose deaths.

“The work we’re doing on this campus is being recognized at a national level.  When I was talking to people there within the Domestic Policy Council, once I introduced myself, they were aware of UTC and knew about the critical work we were doing.” McKnight said.

UTC joined the initiative earlier this year under McKnight’s leadership.

Since then, her team has trained 1,189 campus members in administering opioid reversal medications such as naloxone.

Her team has also distributed 595 units of these medications and established 17 campus emergency stations for immediate access.

In a series of discussions with the White House Domestic Policy Council and the Officer of National Drug Control Policy, McKnight shared insights into UTC’s efforts.

This earned her commendation letters from President Biden.

“It’s exciting to know that what we’re doing to impact the lives of our students is in alignment with the broader public health work that’s being done.  We are being recognized for the positive things we are doing for our community,” said McKnight.