About Us

At Pygmy Blue Health, our dedicated Nurse Practitioners specialize in providing compassionate, evidence-based care for individuals and families affected by substance use challenges. We offer comprehensive Suboxone Treatment, Substance Abuse Treatment, Opioid Treatment, and Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) through accessible telehealth services. Our goal is to help you or your loved ones reduce cravings, manage withdrawal symptoms, and achieve long-term recovery in a safe and supportive environment. With a personalized approach and ongoing guidance, we are committed to empowering every patient to reclaim their health, rebuild their future, and live a healthier, more fulfilling life.

Karen L. Golden, FNP-BC, PMHNP – Founder of Pygmy Blue Health

Karen L. Golden is a dual-certified Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP-BC) and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) with over two decades of experience in healthcare. She is the visionary behind Pygmy Blue Health, a comprehensive healthcare service dedicated to providing holistic, patient-centered care with a focus on mental health and substance use disorders.

Karen’s passion lies in serving underserved communities, particularly those facing barriers to accessing care. Through her innovative use of telehealth, she provides Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) to individuals struggling with opioid use disorder, helping to bridge the gap for patients in rural areas. With years of experience managing inpatient and outpatient MAT programs, she excels in creating personalized treatment plans, collaborating with multidisciplinary teams, and ensuring high-quality care for her patients. Her clinical expertise extends beyond substance use disorders, encompassing a wide range of medical and psychiatric services.

 

Karen is also adept at navigating various Electronic Health Record (EHR) systems and is known for her leadership skills, having supervised medical teams and implemented effective healthcare policies in previous roles.

Pygmy Blue Health was born out of Karen’s vision to combine her expertise in mental health, primary care, and addiction treatment into a single, compassionate practice that puts patient dignity at the forefront. Through Pygmy Blue Health, Karen offers her extensive knowledge, empathy, and dedication to making healthcare more accessible and effective for those in need.Education:

  • Post-Master’s PMHNP Program, Rocky Mountain University of Health Professionals
  • MSN-FNP, Middle Tennessee State University
  • BSN, Nursing, Middle Tennessee State University

Licenses and Certifications:

  • Registered Nurse (RN) License
  • Nurse Practitioner License
  • ANCC Certification
  • X Waiver for Suboxone Treatment
  • DEA License

Awards:

  • Tennessean Salute to Nurses Award, 2015
  • Employee of the Year, 2017

With Pygmy Blue Health, Karen is committed to offering innovative healthcare solutions, empowering her patients, and continuing her mission to provide expert, empathetic care to those who need it most.

Dr. Millard D. Collins,  is the Medical Director and Supervising MD at Pygmy Blue Health

Dr. Millard D. Collins is a board-certified Family Medicine physician and a Fellow of the American Academy of Family Physicians (FAAFP). With over two decades of clinical experience, Dr. Collins is an expert in family medicine and has been a strong advocate for substance use disorder treatment, particularly in delivering Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT). He currently serves as a professor and chair of the Department of Family & Community Medicine at Meharry Medical College, where he also oversees a MAT clinic.

At Pygmy Blue Health, Dr. Collins brings his extensive knowledge and leadership in family medicine and addiction treatment to the team, collaborating with founder Karen Golden to offer comprehensive, patient-centered care. He is skilled in both clinical practice and medical education, providing guidance on treatment protocols and best practices in managing opioid use disorder. Dr. Collins holds an X Waiver, which enables him to prescribe buprenorphine products for MAT, and he has been deeply involved in training healthcare providers on addiction treatment.

Dr. Collins’ role at Pygmy Blue Health further underscores his commitment to improving healthcare access and outcomes for underserved communities, making him an invaluable partner in delivering holistic and compassionate care.

Education:

  • Medical Doctor, Meharry Medical College
  • Bachelor of Science in Chemistry, Xavier University of Louisiana

Certifications:

  • Board-certified in Family Medicine
  • X Waiver for MAT (since 2019)
  • Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS)
  • Advanced Life Support in Obstetrics (ALSO)

Awards:

  • Leonard Tow Humanism in Medicine Award (2019)
  • Supervisor of the Year, Meharry Medical College (2017)
  • Member, Gold Humanism Honor Society (2011)

With Dr. Collins’ expertise and leadership, Pygmy Blue Health is poised to provide exceptional care for patients facing both medical and mental health challenges, with a special focus on addiction recovery and comprehensive family health services.