Valgerdur A. Runarsdottir, MD, FASAM. I have been working in the field of addiction medicine full time in Iceland for 24 years since the year 2000. I studied medicine in Iceland and did my specialty training in the USA (Brown Univ program) in Internal Medicine and then Addiction Medicine. ASAM has been a major resource for my professional development, conferences and publications, and interaction with colleges. I took the ASAM’s certification exam in 2000 and have every year since maintained my continuing education/certification. I am an ABAMdiplomate and a proud FASAM and member of ISAM. I have been staff physician since 2000 at SAA’s comprehensive treatment centers in Iceland. I was made CEO 2017-2024 and have been CMO from 2017.

I am passionate, highly involved and experienced in treatment and patient care, including MAT and HCV treatment. This is the main asset I bring to the ASAM board. I am also active in teaching healthcare personnel, impacting policies and regulations, providing public education, and conducting clinical and academic research. I have been an active participant in the Icelandic Medical Association for 21 years in different committees, as well as on the board itself.

I am very passionate about proper care for people with addictions and their families and about living life to the fullest. I love long distance and mountain running, choir singing, I’m a mother of three, a grandmother of three, and have a second home in Switzerland (Italian part) where my life partner lives.