FSPHP Insights 

We’re thrilled to present the latest issue of Physician Health News, the official newsletter of the Federation of State Physician Health Programs (FSPHP)!

This 32nd edition, Volume 2, features highlights and session summaries from the FSPHP 2025 Annual Education Conference, held this past April in Seattle. It’s a great opportunity to revisit key moments, insights, and takeaways from the event.

We encourage you to share this newsletter with your staff, board of directors, stakeholders, and colleagues involved in physician health. It’s a valuable resource for staying informed and connected within our community.

Read the fall issue.

Read past issues of Physician Health News.

We are proud to highlight the impactful collaboration between the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM)’s Physician Health Special Interest Group, expertly led by Dr. Smita Prasad, and the Federation of State Physician Health Programs.  Earlier this week Dr. Michael Baron, FSPHP President, brought clarity and valuable insight to the vital topic of Physician Health Programs (PHPs), emphasizing their unique role in supporting healthcare professionals facing mental health and substance use challenges.

Key highlights from Dr. Baron’s presentation included:

• PHPs offer a confidential, non-disciplinary, and expert approach to managing health conditions that affect clinical performance.
• PHPs achieve remarkable long-term outcomes, including 75-80% sustained remission rates over five years and significant reductions in professional liability risk.
• PHPs benefit the public by supporting physician well-being, promoting workforce retention, and enhancing patient safety through early intervention and accountability.

This session truly exemplified the synergy between ASAM and FSPHP in advancing physician health and providing invaluable resources to healthcare communities.

FSPHP is excited to announce the next phase of the Research Information System (RIS), supported by a grant from the Physician Foundation. This innovative project aims to collect de-identified data to analyze Physician Health Program (PHP) models and outcomes, strengthen advocacy, and enhance program effectiveness—while maintaining the highest standards of data security and confidentiality.

We’re seeking five PHPs to participate in the proof of concept, although more will be welcome.  We are  excited to share that four spots have already been filled!

With support from Recovery Trek, Affinity, and Vault to ease data preparation, participating programs will help shape a transformative system for the future of physician health.

Read Data Sharing Frequently Asked Questions. 

Email [email protected] with questions or if you would like to participate.  

 Dr. Bundy presenting Investing in Well-Being: The Strategic Value of Physician Health Programs

 Dr. Graham, Dr. Rieder & Dr. Bundy

 Dr. Tim Bartholow, Jim Lorence & Dr. Bundy

 Dr. Bundy with healthcare organization leaders

 Leadership Summit Speakers

 Leadership Summit - Day 2

FSPHP Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Chris Bundy, recently participated in the Wisconsin Medical Society (WisMed) Physician Leadership Summit, alongside myriad influential leaders representing healthcare organizations from across the state.

Dr. Bundy joined Dr. Michelle Graham, President of the Wisconsin Medical Society, and Dr. Anthony Rieder, President, Alliance ENT and Hearing Center and COO of Milwaukee Surgical Suites, in a fireside chat exploring physician leadership and well-being. He also delivered a presentation titled “Investing in Well-Being: The Strategic Value of Physician Health Programs,” highlighting the vision and strategic importance of the newly developing Wisconsin Healthcare Professional Services Program (WIHPSP).

Through a partnership between FSPHP and WisMed, FSPHP is providing consultation to guide the design and implementation of Wisconsin’s first Healthcare Professional Services Program.

WIHPSP will offer confidential referral and monitoring services for licensed healthcare professionals in Wisconsin who experience behavioral, psychiatric, substance use, or other potentially impairing conditions. The program aims to support healthcare providers through coordinated detection, prevention, evaluation, treatment, and monitoring services—ensuring they can continue to deliver safe, high-quality care while receiving the help they need.

Building upon the proven Physician Health Program (PHP) model, WIHPSP will promote early intervention and reduce stigma surrounding behavioral health challenges in medicine. PHPs have demonstrated long-term success in helping clinicians recover and thrive, supporting both individual well-being and patient safety.

As physician burnout and behavioral health challenges continue to rise—62.8% of U.S. physicians reported symptoms of burnout in 2021—programs like WIHPSP represent a vital investment in the health of Wisconsin’s healthcare workforce.

This collaboration underscores a shared commitment to advancing physician well-being and ensuring sustainable, compassionate care throughout Wisconsin.

WisMed was honored to have Dr. Bundy share his insights and expertise about Physician Health Programs and to set the table for the future WIHPSP.   WisMed is grateful for the support of Dr. Bundy and FSPHP as we plan and develop this greatly needed service for Wisconsin.

-Jim Lorence
Wisconsin Medical Society Chief Value and Engagement Officer

In partnership with the Federation of State Physician Health Programs, WISMED is on track to developing a state-of-the-art physician health program for Wisconsin.  The excitement and support for this initiative among the physician leaders in attendance was truly inspiring.

-Dr. Chris Bundy
FSPHP Chief Medical Officer

On December 7th, Linda Bresnahan, Executive Director of the FSPHP, will be a featured speaker at the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) Forum 2025 in Anaheim, California. She will represent FSPHP in the workshop titled “Protect the Rights and Safety of Every Clinician Who Seeks Mental Health Care”, a session dedicated to dismantling stigma and advancing mental health equity for healthcare professionals.

FSPHP’s participation underscores its national leadership in supporting clinicians through confidential, structured Physician Health Programs. 

The session will bring together national experts and advocates to address the systemic barriers that prevent healthcare professionals from accessing mental health support. Findings from a national survey of over 2,000 clinicians—including physicians, nurses, physician assistants, and nurse practitioners—will be presented, revealing that nearly 80% believe stigma prevents health workers from seeking care.

In addition to Bresnahan, the session will feature:

• Liz Boehm, Executive Strategist, Heart of Safety Coalition
• Dr. Jeffrey Salvon-Harman, VP of Safety, Institute for Healthcare Improvement
• Dr. Stefanie Simmons, Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Lorna Breen Heroes’ Foundation
• Christopher Wojnar, Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner and mental health advocate

Learn more and register!