Michael F. "Mike" Weaver, MD, DFASAM
Candidate for Director-at-Large
Michael F. "Mike" Weaver, MD, DFASAM is a Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Medical Director of the Center for Neurobehavioral Research on Addiction at McGovern Medical School at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston. He is Board-certified in Internal Medicine and Addiction Medicine. He is involved in patient care, medical education, and research. He sees patients in the Innovations Addiction Treatment Clinic at the Texas Medical Center in Houston. He teaches about addiction to trainees and professionals at all levels. He is involved in multiple research projects and has multiple publications in the field of addiction medicine.
Candidate Questionnaire Responses
1. How would your election to the ASAM Board of Directors benefit ASAM and the field of addiction medicine?
I have abilities that I can continue to contribute to ASAM to help address the issues of funding for addiction treatment and the need to grow the physician workforce in addiction treatment. As an academic clinical researcher and practicing physician, I can contribute insights into the interface of research and patient care. I will participate in legislative advocacy activities to educate elected officials (and their staff members) about addiction issues. I will continue to be a liaison between ASAM and the ABPM for ongoing cooperation between these two important organizations that oversee complementary aspects of the field. Now that the Practice Pathway to certification has closed, I will continue to work with ASAM and ABPM on development of a pathway to certification in Addiction Medicine through ABPM for mid-career physicians who may have difficulty doing a traditional fellowship program.
2. Candidate Statement
I am a physician-scientist at an academic medical center where I treat patients with substance use disorders using evidence-based treatments, I teach medical students and residents about addiction and its treatment, and I participate in human subject research to help develop enhanced treatment for addiction to different substances. I have been a member of ASAM since 1994. I was certified in Addiction Medicine by ASAM, then by the American Board of Addiction Medicine (ABAM), and I became certified by the American Board of Preventive Medicine as soon as that was possible in 2018. I have given many lectures at ASAM conferences, and contributed articles and chapters to multiple ASAM publications. I initially joined the Board of Directors in 2023 and was a member of the Presidential Task Force for development of the ASAM Strategic Plan in 2025. I have strong contributions to advancing the field of Addiction Medicine through leadership roles for physicians to become certified in Addiction Medicine for over 20 years, including as the inaugural Sub-Board Chair for Addiction Medicine on the Board of Directors of the American Board of Preventive Medicine. My academic background has provided me with skills for leadership and working with others from different backgrounds and diverse ideas. I welcome the opportunity to contribute to ASAM leadership through my experience as a clinician-scientist. I plan to help guide the incredible membership of this amazing organization through challenges and opportunities facing the field.