Dr. Jacqueline Abdalla recently received an honor from the Western Association of Correctional Healthcare Services for her leadership in improving medical care within Sacramento County’s correctional facilities. Photo courtesy of Sacramento County

 

SACRAMENTO COUNTY, CA (MPG) - Sacramento County recognizes Dr. Jacqueline Abdalla for receiving a major honor from the Western Association of Correctional Healthcare Services (WACHSA) for her leadership in improving medical care within the county’s correctional facilities, especially through the expansion of Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT).

“This award really represents the collective effort of our entire team. I can get so focused on the next challenge, so this has been a nice opportunity to pause and reflect on progress we’ve made together in advancing patient care,” Abdalla said.

A cornerstone of that progress is Sacramento County’s robust Medication-Assisted Treatment program, which Abdalla describes as a “humane and outcomes-oriented” approach to opioid withdrawal and addiction.

Medication-Assisted Treatment medications not only treat the extremely uncomfortable symptoms of withdrawal but also stabilize cravings in the long term, allowing patients to feel “normal” again so they can begin the difficult work of recovery. Since the program rolled out, the jail has seen a significant decrease in overdoses and overdose deaths.

Abdalla’s leadership has extended beyond addiction treatment. Less than two years ago, the jail faced a backlog that left patients waiting months for specialty care and off-site appointments. Today, thanks to major process improvements, urgent referrals are now scheduled within two weeks and routine referrals within three months.

Additionally, high-risk patients, including those needing cancer care, are closely tracked to ensure their care is coordinated quickly.  

Abdalla said this work is especially important because incarcerated individuals are among the country’s most medically vulnerable. Many enter custody with chronic medical or mental health conditions and face barriers such as unstable housing.

“Their time in jail can be a big opportunity for us to provide health care services that they may otherwise not have access to. I feel grateful to be a part of that. My hope is that they leave in a better place than they came in,” Abdalla said.

Abdalla credits Sacramento County’s strong on-the-ground collaboration between custody and medical leadership for creating the environment that allows these improvements to take shape and the county credits her leadership for guiding the team forward. 

To learn more about adult/juvenile health, visit Sacramento County’s Primary Health Services’ online page at dhs.saccounty.gov/PRI/Pages/PRI-Home.aspx.