We expect a lot from our health professionals. 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, they are human, too. They can succumb to burnout/stress, addictions, emotional or mental illness, and behavioral issues, like everyone else. The difference is their problems can directly impact the safety of the patients they care for. Fortunately the Tennessee Medical Foundation's Physician's Health Program (PHP) addresses health concerns that are specific to health professionals while working to protect the safety of patients in Tennessee.
How It WorksIn 1978, the Tennessee Medical Association (TMA) Board of Trustees established a committee for the purpose of offering professional assistance to physicians suffering from chemical dependencies. In 1992, the TMA transferred oversight and management of the program to the Tennessee Medical Foundation (TMF),
a 501(c)3 organization.
The mission of the Physician's Health Program (PHP) is to protect patients through identification, intervention, rehabilitation, and the provision of advocacy/support for physicians and other health professionals impaired by addictive disease, mental or emotional illness.
The TMF operates solely on contributions from individual physicians and the general public, hospitals, medical groups and other health organizations, as well as grants. You can help support the TMF through donations, annual gifts and planned giving. Please contact us and find out how you can support our program to help physicians heal.
Donate NowRegistration is now open for the 2023 Caduceus Retreat, an annual event for current and former TMF Physician’s Health Program (PHP) participants and their families. Presenting speakers include Chip Dodd, PhD, son of the late TMF Medical Director David Dodd, MD, along with Colton Shannon, PhD, and Phil Herndon, MA, both of River Tree Center…
Read MoreTennessee health professionals are continuing to feel the strain of the pandemic and resulting health system impact – some to the breaking point – and their mental health is suffering. That is the recurrent story told in anonymous comments left by physicians and other healthcare providers who have accessed the Tennessee Professional Screening Questionnaire (TN-PSQ)…
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