Federation of State Physician Health Programs

Federation of State Physician Health Programs

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Michigan

Demographics and staff - member
Program Name:  
Address:

PO 31-1239
Detroit, Michigan 48231

Telephone:  (800) 453-3784
Fax:  (313) 964-5038
E-mail:    
Web site: www.hprp.org

Staff:

  • William E. Livingston, Program Director
  • Patrick W. Gibbons DO, Medical Director
  • Lois A. Brooks, Administrative Assistant
  • Peggy Muelle, Intake Care Manager
  • Nikki Jones, Intake Care Manager
  • Lin Mertens, Intake Care Manager
  • Laura Stocks, Intake Assistant
  • Barbara Trager, Monitoring Care Manager
  • Kevin Reilly, Monitoring Care Manager
  • Belinda Hunter, Monitoring Care Manager
  • Crystal Imbrunnone, Monitoring Care Manager
  • Marleen Miazga, Monitoring Care Manager
  • Kelly Patino, Monitoring Care Manager
  • Kimberly Cooks, Monitoring Assistant
  • Terrence Nunn, Monitoring Assistant
  • Quierra Watson, Records Administration
  • Zebbra Johnson, Assistant

Program structure:

HPRP is administered by a private-sector contractor under the direction of the Health Professional Recovery Committee (a multi-disciplinary committee) and the Bureau of Health Professions in the Department of Community Health (DCH).

Do you have a formal contractual relationship with the state medical board?

The State of Michigan's Health Professional Recovery Program (HPRP) was established in 1994 by legislation. This program is administered through a contract with the Department of Community Health/Bureau of Health Professions and is supported by various health professional licensing boards and the associations and societies of the health professions in the State. The HPRP supports the recovery of its participants so they may safely return to practice and protect the safety of the general public.

Program services:

Types of disease, illness, or conditions monitored:

    • Chemical Dependence
    • Mental Health Issues
    • Professional Sexual Misconduct
    • Physical illness
    • Neurologic Disorders, and other problems related to physician health and wellbeing

Services provided to which populations:

Michigan's Health Professional Recovery Program is unique because it includes so many professions. Under the legislation, members of these occupations may take advantage of the HPRP:

•  Acupuncturist
•  Allopathic Physician (MD)
•  Athletic Trainer
•  Audiologist
•  Chiropractor
•  Dentist, Dental Hygienist and Dental Assistant
•  Dietitian/ Nutritionist
•  Marriage & Family Therapist
•  Massage Therapist
•  Nursing Home Administrator
•  Occupational Therapist and Occupational Therapy Assistant
•  Optometrist
•  Osteopathic Physician & Surgeon (DO)
•  Physician's Assistant
•  Podiatric Physician & Surgeon
•  Professional Counselor
•  Registered Nurse, Licensed Practical Nurse
•  Pharmacist
•  Physical Therapist
•  Psychologist
•  Respiratory Therapist
•  Social Worker, Social Service Technician
•  Speech and Language Pathologist
•  Veterinarian and Veterinary Technician

Funding:

  • State licensing agencies

Monitoring requirements:

How Monitoring Works

The HPRP is a caring, supportive program that promotes recovery through evaluation for the presence of a chemical dependency/substance disorder or mental health disorder. The HPRP will design a recovery program that is specific for the individual, and actively monitors the individual's progress.

The typical steps involved for participation in the HPRP are:

  • Referral – Information regarding possible impairment given to the HPRP may come from colleagues, partners, hospital administrations, patients, family members, the State or the licensee himself or herself. All information is held in strict confidence, according to the wishes of the reporting party, with protection from civil and criminal liability, as long as the report or information is given in good faith.
  • Intake - This involves gathering information and descriptions of the possible problem. A licensee may participate in the HPRP if he or she agrees to comply with the requirements of the program. Through this participation, the licensee may be able to be diverted from the disciplinary track which would involve the licensing board of his or her profession. If there is reason to believe there may be a problem which could result in impaired practice and the individual refuses evaluation or subsequent treatment, the individual will be reported to the Department of Community Health.
  • Evaluation - If it appears that the individual may be qualified for the HPRP, he or she is then referred to a qualified evaluator. The purpose of this evaluation is to determine the nature of the problem and to help the HPRP contractor to design a Monitoring Agreement.
  • Treatment - If the evaluation indicates a substance use disorder and/or mental health disorder that represents a possible impairment, the HPRP makes referrals for treatment services. These referrals will be for a level of care, which is appropriate to the severity of the problem. The treatment approach will generally involve a multi-disciplinary approach to treat the whole person.
  • Monitoring Agreement - The HPRP will work with the person and treatment providers to establish a Monitoring Agreement. The monitoring agreement will typically last one to three years by which time the recovery of the participant should be well established. This Recovery Monitoring Agreement may include elements such as; limitations on practice or employment, random drug screening, various monitoring and progress reports, meetings with self-help and/or peer support groups, evaluation and treatment. During the monitoring period, the HPRP will communicate with the licensee and their providers in order to support the participant's continued work in the professional setting. This serves to assure the people of the State of Michigan that the health care providers who are caring for them are providing that care in a safe and competent manner.
  • Completion of the HPRP - An HPRP participant will be released from the HPRP upon successful completion of the monitoring agreement. All records are destroyed five years after the date of successful completion of the program. However, once a health professional is accepted into the program, he or she may be terminated for failure to comply with the agreement. These terminations are reported to the Bureau of Health Professions and could result in subsequent disciplinary actions

Confidentiality

Participation in the HPRP guarantees that the identity and confidentiality of the licensee who is in compliance will be protected, even from requests for disclosure by subpoena or under the Freedom of Information Act.

For individuals who are confidential or non-regulatory, under Section 333.16170a of the Michigan Public Health Code, the identity of an individual admitted into the HPRP and all records pertaining to the individual are confidential and not subject to disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), discovery or subpoena, unless the individual fails to satisfactorily participate in and complete the requirements of the Monitoring Agreement. All records pertaining to the participant who successfully completes a confidential or non-regulatory Monitoring Agreement shall be destroyed five (5) years after completion of the program.

More Information

For more information visit our website: www.hprp.org

To make a referral call 800-453-3784