Professional Role and Responsibilities
Dawn Harbatkin, MD currently serves as the Director of Addiction Medicine at DENT Neurologic Institute, located in Amherst, New York. In this leadership capacity, she oversees addiction medicine services within the largest neurology practice in the United States. Her clinical scope includes comprehensive care for opioid, alcohol, and stimulant use disorders, emphasizing medication-assisted treatment (MAT) and harm reduction strategies. Dr. Harbatkin is noted for promoting a compassionate, non-punitive approach to addiction, framing it as a brain disease and focusing on patient rehabilitation and recovery outcomes.
Board Certifications and Specializations
Dr. Harbatkin holds board certifications in the following specialties:
- Addiction Medicine
- Internal Medicine
These certifications underscore her dual expertise in managing complex chronic medical conditions alongside addiction treatment.
Educational Background and Medical Training
- Medical Degree: Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY.
- Residency: Social Internal Medicine at Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY.
Her training at these prestigious institutions supports a strong foundation in both clinical medicine and socially conscious healthcare delivery.
Career History and Expertise
- Prior to her current role at DENT Neurologic Institute, Dr. Harbatkin was the Director of Addiction Medicine at BestSelf Behavioral Health where she applied harm reduction principles extensively, including medication for addiction treatment and hepatitis C management.
- From 2019 to 2022, she served as the Director of Addiction Medicine for HealthRIGHT 360 in San Mateo and Santa Clara Counties, California.
- She has two decades of experience as a Medical Director for Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) in both New York City and San Francisco, with a distinct focus on LGBT Health. This experience aligns with her demonstrated interest in culturally sensitive, population-specific healthcare interventions.
Clinical Philosophy and Approach
Dr. Harbatkin advocates for addiction treatment strategies that eliminate stigma and punitive messaging, emphasizing education and compassionate care. She supports integrated counseling and group therapies alongside pharmacological interventions such as MAT. Importantly, her approach incorporates harm reduction and addresses comorbid conditions such as hepatitis C, improving holistic patient outcomes.
Notable Contributions and Activities
- Regularly conducts trainings on MAT science, trauma-informed care, and co-occurring disorders, having delivered more than 20 professional trainings.
- Participated in medical-legal contexts as a Medical Director, contributing expertise on addiction medicine.
- Acts as a thought leader on addiction topics in clinical podcasts and behavioral health forums, including features on “MindSet with Tom McNulty, M.S.” where she discusses addiction medicine with an emphasis on neuroscience and clinical integration.
- Engaged in community health projects and interventions linked to hepatitis C treatment access and marginalized populations.
Organizational Context: DENT Neurologic Institute
- DENT Neurologic Institute is the largest neurology practice in the USA, with a mission focused on delivering advanced neurodiagnostics, superior clinical care, clinical research, and education aimed at maximizing patient quality of life.
- The institute emphasizes integrated behavioral health and neurology services, with an active research arm (DENT Neuroscience Research Center) supporting evidence-based practices.
Contact Information
- Location: Amherst, New York
- Phone: 716-250-2000
- LinkedIn Profile: [Dawn Harbatkin, MD](http://www.linkedin.com/in/dawn-harbatkin-32b9416)
- Professional Profile: [DENT Neurologic Institute – Dawn Harbatkin](https://www.dentinstitute.com/dawnharbatkin/)
This comprehensive profile highlights Dr. Harbatkin’s leadership role in addiction medicine, clinical expertise in integrated behavioral health, and dedication to harm reduction and patient-centered care within a large, research-oriented neurological practice. Her background in managing addiction services across diverse populations including LGBT communities, together with her involvement in education and community health initiatives, presents multiple engagement vectors aligned with advanced clinical and public health needs.
