Judith

Tsui

MD

MPH

biography

Dr. Judith Tsui is a Professor of Medicine at the University of Washington, based at Harborview Medical Center. She is also Adjunct Professor in the Health Systems and Population Health Department in the School of Public Health. She is a board-certified internist who is also a diplomate in Addiction Medicine through the American Board of Addiction Medicine since 2013. Dr. Tsui is the Director of the UW GIM Substance Use Research and Education (SURE) Unit. She is PI/Director of the NIH/NIDA R25-funded UW Medical Student Addiction Research (“MedStAR”) Program since 2020 and MPI of an NIH/NIDA-funded T32 program based in the Department of Health Systems and Population Health at the School of Public Health (“Training in Equity and Structural Solutions in Addictions” [TESSA]). Since 2023 she is the Director of the UW/Fred Hutch Center for AIDS Research Substance Scientific Working Group.

Education & Training

• BA, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ (1991)
• MD, New York University, New York, NY (1997)
• Residency, Oregon Health Sciences University, Portland, OR (1998–2000)
• MPH, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA (2004)
• Fellow, University of California, San Francisco, CA (2004–2008)

Honors

• UW Department of Medicine Gender Equity Award (2023)
• Nominee, UW School of Medicine Excellence in Mentoring Women Faculty Award (2020)
• Outstanding Research Mentor Award, UW Medical School Class of 2017 (2019)
• Research paper selected for NIDA “Director’s Report” by Dr. Nora Volkow (2016)
• Research paper selected for NIDA “Director’s Report” by Dr. Nora Volkow (2015)
• Internal Medicine Wards Attending Teaching Award, Emory University School of Medicine (2002)
• Stanley Foundation Research Award, NYU School of Medicine (1994)
• Magna Cum Laude, Princeton University (1991)

research

Dr. Tsui’s overarching goal is to improve care delivery and health outcomes for persons who use drugs. Current research is focused on innovative health service delivery interventions to expand access, and improve adherence, to potentially life-saving medications for persons who use drugs, including medications for opioid use disorder, HCV, and PrEP. Additionally, she has conducted research on substance use, pain, and opioid prescribing for persons living with HIV. She is also is actively involved in leading training programs to create the next generation of Addiction Medicine-trained physicians who are committed to expanding evidence-based care for persons with substance use disorders.

Dr. Tsui mentors medical students, residents, fellows, and graduate students who are interested in health services and clinical research on substance use disorders, HIV prevention,  HCV elimination, and the integration of addiction services and primary care. She publishes in and is a regular reviewer/editor/commentator for peer-reviewed journals.

Dr. Tsui welcomes emailed queries about research opportunities.

Research Activities and Current Funding

Patient Navigator plus Remote mHealth Adherence Support with Incentives to Improve Linkage and Retention among Hospitalized Patients with Opioid and Methamphetamine Use who Initiate Buprenorphine

Role: Principal Investigator
1R34DA057609-01

Clinical Trials Network: CTN-0110 Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial of Monthly Injectable Buprenorphine for Methamphetamine Use Disorder (MURB)

Role: Site/Subaward PI
UG1 DA020024

Pilot Study of a Community-Pharmacy Model to Expand Access to Medications to Treat and Prevent Hepatitis C, Opioid Use Disorders, Overdose and HIV Among Persons Who Inject Drugs

Role: Principal Investigator
1R34DA047660

The UW Medical Student Addiction Research (MedStAR) Program to Address Substance Use and Disorders in Urban and Rural Communities in Five Western States

Role: Principal Investigator
1R25DA050985-01
MedStAR Program

Pilot Study of Opioid-Receptor Antagonists to Reduce Pain and Inflammation among HIV-Infected Persons with Alcohol

Role: Principal Investigator
UH2AA026193

Rural Comorbidity and HIV consequences of Opioid use Research and Treatment Initiative (Rural Cohort) Data Coordinating Center

Role: Principal Investigator
1U24DA048538
Rural Opioid Initiative Research Consortium

University of Washington Provider’s Clinical Support System – Universities

Role: Co-Investigator
1H79TI081651

Training in Equity and Structural Solutions in Addictions (TESSA)

Role: Principal Investigator
T32DA057920

University of Washington/Fred Hutch Center for AIDS Research (CFAR)

Role: Co-Investigator/Substance Use Scientific Working Group Director (PI: Cellum/Simoni)
P30AI027757

Indigenous Substance Use Prevention Interdisciplinary Research Education Program

Role: Co-Investigator (PI: Walters)
1R25DA051343

Gabapentin to Reduce Alcohol and Improve HIV Viral Load Suppression – Promoting Treatment as Prevention

Role: Co-investigator (PI: Samet/Lunze)
R01AA030460

The Center of Biomedical Research Excellence (COBRE) on Opioids and Overdose 

Role: External Advisory Committee Member (PI: Rich)
P20GM125507

HRSA UW Addiction Medicine Fellowship

Role: Associate Program Director, Co-Investigator (PI: Merrill)
HRSA 1T25HP376280100

Selected Previous Funding

Feasibility of mHealth technology-enabled service for remote observed therapy of methadone and COVID-19 screening for patients in an opioid treatment program

Role: Principal Investigator
1R41DA053081-01

Development and Evaluation of Effectiveness of Video-Based Directly Observed Therapy for Office-Based Treatment of Opioid Use Disorders with Buprenorphine

Role: Principal Investigator
R44DA044053

Patient-Centered Models of HCV Care for People who Inject Drugs

Role: Site Principal Investigator
HPC-1503-28122

Improving Physician Opioid Prescribing for Chronic Pain in HIV-Infected Persons

Role: Co-investigator
1R01DA037768-03

SAMHSA Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT)

The MAT Prescription Drug and Opioid Addiction project provides clinical services centered on buprenorphine treatment through the Adult Medicine Clinic at Harborview Medical Center for patients suffering from opioid use disorders. The program is based on a collaborative care model driven by a nurse care manager that optimizes physician effort.

Advancing Clinical Research Training within Addiction Residency Programs

The RAMS Program at Boston Medical Center enhances research capacity among trainees in the new medical specialty of Addiction Medicine.
5R25DA033211-05

publication highlights

• Tsui JI, Miller CM, Scott JD, Corcorran MA, Dombrowski JC, Glick SN. Hepatitis C continuum of care and utilization of healthcare and harm reduction services among persons who inject drugs in Seattle. Drug Alcohol Depend. 2019 Feb 1; 195:114-120. Epub 2018 Dec 26. PMCID: PMC6440747.
• Godersky ME, Saxon AJ, Merrill JO, Samet JH, Simoni JM, Tsui JI. Provider and patient perspectives on barriers to buprenorphine adherence and the acceptability of video directly observed therapy to enhance adherence. Addict Sci Clin Pract. 2019 Mar 13; 14(1):11. doi: 10.1186/s13722-019-0139-3. PMCID: PMC6417248.
• Tsui JI, Mayfield J, Speaker EC, Yakup S, Ries R, Funai H, Leroux BG, Merrill JO. Association between methamphetamine use and retention among patients with opioid use disorders treated with buprenorphine. J Subst Abuse Treat. 2019 Nov 18. PMID: 31810594.
• Samet JH, Tsui JI, Cheng DM, Liebschutz JM, Lira MC, Walley AY, Colasanti JA, Forman LS, Christin Root C, Shanahan CW, Sullivan MM, Bridden CL, Abrams C, Harris C, Outlaw K, Armstrong WS, Del Rio C. Improving the Delivery of Chronic Opioid Therapy among People Living with HIV: A Cluster Randomized Clinical Trial [published online ahead of print, 2020 Jul 22]. Clin Infect Dis. 2020. PMID: 32697847.

• Tsui JI, Akosile MA, Lapham GT, Boudreau DM, Johnson EA, Bobb JF, Binswanger IA, Yarborough BJH, Glass JE, Rossom RC, Murphy MT, Cunningham CO, Arnsten JH, Thakral M, Saxon AJ, Merrill JO, Samet JH, Bart GB, Campbell CI, Loree AM, Silva A, Stotts AL, Ahmedani B, Braciszewski JM, Hechter RC, Northrup TF, Horigian VE, Bradley KA. Prevalence and Medication Treatment of Opioid Use Disorder Among Primary Care Patients with Hepatitis C and HIV. J Gen Intern Med. 2021 Apr;36(4):930-937. doi: 10.1007/s11606-020-06389-7. Epub 2021 Feb 10. PMID: 33569735; PMCID: PMC8041979.

• Tsui JI, Barry MP, Austin EJ, Sweek EW, Tung E, Hansen RN, Ninburg M, Scott JD, Glick SN, Williams EC. 'Treat my whole person, not just my condition': qualitative explorations of hepatitis C care delivery preferences among people who inject drugs. Addict Sci Clin Pract. 2021 Aug 12;16(1):52. doi: 10.1186/s13722-021-00260-8. PMID: 34384494; PMCID: PMC8358259.

• Hallgren KA, Darnton J, Soth S, Blalock KL, Michaels A, Grekin P, Saxon AJ, Woolworth S, Tsui JI. Acceptability, feasibility, and outcomes of a clinical pilot program for video observation of methadone take-home dosing during the COVID-19 pandemic. J Subst Abuse Treat. 2022 Dec;143:108896. doi: 10.1016/j.jsat.2022.108896. Epub 2022 Oct 4. PMID: 36215911; PMCID: PMC9531364.

• Austin EJ, Gojic AJ, Bhatraju EP, Pierce KA, Pickering EI, Tung EL, Scott JD, Hansen RN, Glick SN, Stekler JD, Connolly NC, Villafuerte S, McPadden M, Deutsch S, Ninburg M, Kubiniec R, Williams EC, Tsui JI. Barriers and facilitators to implementing a Pharmacist, Physician, and Patient Navigator-Collaborative Care Model (PPP-CCM) to treat hepatitis C among people who inject drugs. Int J Drug Policy. 2022 Dec 13;111:103924. doi: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2022.103924. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 36521197.

• Tsui JI, Stephens D, Collins B, Denisiuk E, Hallgren KA, Blalock KL, Klein JW, Jack HE, Merrill JO. Co-use of Methamphetamine Is Associated With Lower Rates of Linkage to Outpatient Treatment for Hospitalized Patients Who Initiate Buprenorphine. J Addict Med. 2023 Jan 17.

• Tsui JI, Lum PJ, Taylor LE, Mehta SH, Feinberg J, Kim AY, Norton BL, Niu J, Heo M, Arnsten J, Pericot-Valverde I, Thomas A, Blalock KL, Radick A, Murray-Krezan C, Page K, Litwin AH; HERO Study Group. Injecting practices during and after hepatitis C treatment and associations with not achieving cure among persons who inject drugs. Drug Alcohol Depend. 2023 Jun 1;247:109878. doi: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2023.109878. Epub 2023 Apr 17. PMID: 37150144.

 

Cited in the Popular Press

• Baggaley, Kate. Pharmacists Help Build a Model HCV Clinic. Specialty Pharmacy Continuum. June 9, 2023.
• Valentino, Tom. Video DOT Improves Methadone Adherence Rates in Study. Addiction Professional. October 21, 2022.
• University of Washington. Video app eases methadone dose-confirmation burden. Medical Express. October 14, 2022.
• Brooks, Megan. Stimulants Plus Buprenorphine for Opioid Addiction a Double-Edge Sword? Medscape. May 12, 2022.
• Brownstone, Sydney and Greenstone, Scott. A medication for meth use? Seattle healthcare workers want to see if it works. The Seattle Times. July 13, 2020.
• Blethen, Ryan. Meth use interferes with opioid treatment, UW study finds. The Seattle Times. January 21, 2020.
• University of Washington Health Sciences/UW Medicine. Co-addiction of meth and opioids hinders treatment: Study finds meth undermines success in treatment for opioid-use disorder. ScienceDaily. December 9, 2019.
• URBAN ARCH Admin Core Staff. Spotlight on…Judith Tsui. December, 2019.
• Black, Lester. Meth Deaths are on the Rise. The Stranger. October 9, 2019.
• Enos, Gary A. OUD Patients Will Take Video of Their Buprenorphine Dosing. Addiction Professional. March 29, 2019.