Physician`s Health Program - Tennessee Medical Foundation

Physician`s Health Program - Tennessee Medical Foundation

Saving Lives. Saving Careers.
In 1978, the Tennessee Medical Association (TMA) Board
of Trustees established a committee for the purpose of
offering professional assistance to physicians suffering from
chemical dependence, mental or emotional illness. In 1992,
the TMA transferred oversight and management of the
program to the Tennessee Medical Foundation (TMF).*
The Physician’s Health Program was originally staffed by
Dr. Bill Anderson and other volunteer physicians
throughout Tennessee. The first full-time Medical
Director, David T. Dodd, M.D. was hired in 1984. His
vision and dedication to helping troubled physicians laid
the foundation for the Physician’s Health Program.
Today, under the leadership of Roland W. Gray, M.D., the
TMF Physician’s Health Program continues to provide
confidential care with expertise and resources.
*The Tennessee Medical foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization.
Contact us:
Tennessee Medical Foundation
216 Centerview Drive, Suite 304
Nashville, TN 37027
Phone: 615-467-6411
www.e-tmf.org
Michael Todd, Administrator
Our staff serving you:
Jeanne Breard, R.N.
Field Coordinator
Vince Parrish, LCSW
Development Director & Compliance Coordinator
216 Centerview Drive
Suite 304
Brentwood, TN 37027
Roland W. Gray, M.D.
Medical Director
Fellow American Society Addiction Medicine
Physician’s
Health Program
Saving Lives. Saving Careers.
Saving Lives. Saving Careers.
We expect a lot from our physicians. They are constantly
under pressure to perform and when making decisions
that will affect the health and well-being of their
patients, there is no room for error.
However, physicians are human too. The difference
is, when physicians suffer from mental, emotional
or addictive challenges, it not only jeopardizes their
careers and their personal lives - it also poses a
serious threat to patient safety.
The public has little understanding of troubled
physicians and programs that help treat them.
Fortunately our Physician’s Health Program addresses
concerns that are specific to physicians; concerns only
those within the medical profession can appreciate.
What is the Tennessee Medical
Foundation Physician’s Health
Program?
The mission of the Physician’s Health Program (PHP) is
to protect patients through identification, intervention,
rehabilitation, and the provision of advocacy for
physicians impaired by addictive disease, mental or
emotional illness.
In response to requests from hospitals, physician
groups and family members, the Tennessee
Medical Foundation reshaped the program to assist
physicians, their families, and hospitals in addressing a
wider range of problems, such as behavioral issues.
The PHP has been instrumental in assisting medical
schools in Tennessee with programs targeted at
medical students and residents. These programs are
primarily educational but they also aid medical school
faculty in identifying students and residents with the
disease of chemical dependency.
How Does the Physician’s Health
Program Work?
♥ Identification
Any family member, patient or colleague may
confidentially and/or anonymously report concerns
about a physician by phone at (615) 467-6411 or on
the TMF website at www.e-tmf.org.
♥ Verification
The TMF PHP Medical Director and/or case managers
attempt to verify the reported behavior. If the
behavior is not verified, the process is halted or the
information is held for further inquiry.
♥ Interview
If the need for help is substantiated, the physician is
asked to make an appointment for an interview with
TMF PHP personnel. In exchange for support, the
physician is invited to follow the recommendations of
the PHP in seeking specified treatment at his or her
own expense.
♥ Treatment
All treatment is carried out in approved hospitals and
treatment facilities. The length of treatment is based
upon the physician’s individual needs. Physicians
are treated with an initial evaluation and subsequently
prescribed inpatient and/or intensive outpatient therapy.
♥ Re-Entry
Re-Entry into practice usually occurs within one or
two weeks following treatment. During this period,
the PHP is often the physician’s strongest - and
sometimes only - ally. The PHP Medical Director and
case managers work in concert with the treatment
center’s recommendations to establish contractual
ground rules for re-entry into practice.
♥ Aftercare
Aftercare is a minimum five-year process of ongoing
monitoring by the TMF. It is guided by an individualized
contract comprised of recommendations of the
PHP and the treatment facility.
The mission of the Physician’s Health
Program (PHP) is to protect patients
through identification, intervention,
rehabilitation, and the provision of advocacy
for physicians impaired by addictive disease,
mental or emotional illness.
Family Involvement
Chemical dependency and mental and emotional illnesses
affect entire families, not just individual physicians. Families
of newly identified physicians are provided opportunities to
receive help through support groups, family workshops and
professional therapists.
The TMF Needs You!
No physician is immune from the pressure of the profession.
We should know. The TMF has been dedicated to helping
Tennessee physicians for over three decades. In addition to
operating the Physician’s Health Program, the TMF provides
resources and educational materials that can help doctors
maintain a healthy and balanced lifestyle.
The TMF operates on contributions from individuals,
hospitals and grants. You can help support the TMF
through tax deductible donations, annual gifts and
special events. To help your fellow physicians, donations
may be made to the Tennessee Medical Foundation,
216 Centerview Drive, Suite 304, Brentwood, Tennessee
37027 or online at www.e-tmf.org.