Longtime coordinator of SECAD curriculum dies at 94

Patricia (Pat) Fields, 94, who contributed to the education of countless addiction professionals through her work as the longtime coordinator of the SECAD annual conference, died late last month at her Georgia home.

Fields was SECAD's conference coordinator for 30 years, seeing it grow from its regional roots in the Southeast to an educational program of national influence. Longtime field leader and behavioral health consultant Gerald Shulman tells Addiction Professional that Fields was “a force of nature in her ability to identify quality trainers for conferences.”

Dee McGraw, director of education at C4 Recovery Foundation, wrote in a social media post that Fields ran SECAD “with a grace and passion bar none.” She called Fields “a great lady, a mentor and a force in the addiction field.”

In addition to her work in educating professionals, Fields launched numerous charitable organizations to benefit the underprivileged. A service to celebrate her life will take place at 3 pm on May 20 at Pleasant Hill Presbyterian Church in Duluth, Ga. Memorial contributions in her name can be made to Pleasant Hill Presbyterian Church, 3700 Pleasant Hill Road, Duluth, GA 30096.