How Technology Helped Cut Overdose Deaths by 47% in Carteret County NC

Carteret County, NC, faced a soaring overdose crisis, exacerbated by its status as a seasonal beach destination. In this episode, the Public Health Director for Carteret County, and COO of Goldie Health, share how forming a tech-enabled post-overdose response team slashed overdose deaths by nearly half. Discover the barriers Carteret overcame, the critical role lived-experience peer support specialists played, and how the county leveraged tech to streamline care coordination and analytics. Tune in for an in-depth look at a community-led innovation making a measurable impact against the opioid epidemic.

What You’ll Learn:

• How the Carteret County post-overdose response team (PORT) is organized and operates
• The role of certified peer support specialists with lived experience
• How real-time alerts and referrals connect overdose survivors with support quickly
• The drastic improvements in overdose outcomes, including a 47% drop in deaths and 87% drop in EMS calls
• Ways technology—specifically, the Goldie tech platform—streamlines response, tracks engagement, and supports data-driven decisions
• How Goldie enables referrals for addiction treatment, housing, food, and other critical resources
• Lessons learned in implementing care management technology at the local level

MODERATOR: Tom Liddell, CEO, Harmony Health IT

Tom Liddell leads with a core belief: that data and automation, when harnessed with purpose, can revolutionize healthcare and profoundly improve the lives of those it serves. With over 35 years of experience in healthcare IT, he brings transformative leadership and a passion for innovation to Harmony Healthcare IT. He began his career as President and Co-Founder of SMI, a healthcare technology firm that became part of the publicly traded Medical Manager Corp. He later held senior executive roles at WebMD, where he led the development and launch of integrated financial systems and electronic health records. Tom has also led the successful operation of a health information exchange and served as Chief Information Officer for a regional reference laboratory, blood bank, and pathology organization In these roles, he pioneered innovative solutions for data integration, interoperability, and clinical efficiency—further deepening his expertise in healthcare infrastructure and automation. At Harmony Healthcare IT, Tom is known for championing innovation, collaboration, and a customer-first mindset. His enduring passion for a complete, quality-driven experience continues to shape the company’s reputation as a trusted leader in healthcare data management.

GUEST: Matthew E. Hanis, COO & Cofounder, Goldie Health

Matt Hanis is a leading expert in the business of healthcare. He is the chief operating officer of Goldie Health, a life-saving overdose detection and case management platform. A former health system executive, he has grown health tech businesses across payer, provider, life sciences, and government. His passion is growing organizations proven to elevate healthcare mission and margin.

GUEST: Nina M. Oliver, Public Health Director; Carteret County Health Department

Nina Oliver has enjoyed 22 years of providing public health work. She currently serves as the Consolidated Health and Human Services Deputy Director and Public Health Director for Carteret County. As a public health director her priorities and interests include substance use prevention, mental and emotional health and wellness for all, minority health, and creating equitable dental care specifically in low-income populations and pregnant women. Nina graduated from Guildford College in Greensboro with a Bachelors in Psychology and African American Studies. She received her Masters from UNC Charlotte in Health Promotion with a focus in Substance Use Prevention. Nina lives in Morehead City with her 13-year-old son Chase and 5-year-old daughter, Charlie. They love going to the beach, watching sports, and trying new foods.