FSPHP Insights 

In April 2025, the Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB) adopted the updated Report of the FSMB Workgroup on Reentry to Practice, a significant step forward in supporting physicians returning to clinical practice. Dr. Chris Bundy, Chief Medical Officer of the Federation of State Physician Health Programs (FSPHP) and Executive Medical Director of the Washington Physicians Health Program, played a pivotal role in shaping this important policy update. His expertise and leadership were instrumental in guiding the FSMB’s efforts to ensure safe, effective, and compassionate pathways for physician reentry.

• Updated Reentry to Practice policy.
• More policies and statements from other organizations.

Lisa J. Merlo, PhD, MPE 

FSPHP Research
Committee Co-Chair

Dr. Lisa Merlo Greene, Co-Chair of the FSPHP Research Committee, Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Florida, and Director of Research at Professionals Resource Network, Inc., has co-authored a pivotal article titled "Utilizing Decision Analysis to Assess the Safety of Providing Medication for Addiction Treatment to Professionals with Substance Use Disorder," published in the Journal of Addiction Medicine. This important work explores the use of decision analysis to evaluate the safety and implications of offering medication-assisted treatment (MAT) to healthcare professionals navigating substance use disorders. The study contributes valuable insights to the ongoing conversation about balancing recovery support with patient safety in professional practice.

Read the abstract here.

Access to the full article is available when you log-in to your ASAM account.

On June 18, FSPHP sent an important email to all State Voting and Associate Members requesting verification of their state’s regulatory information. This outreach is part of a collaborative initiative with the Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB) to support the FSPHP Task Force to Support Safe Haven Position Statement Enhancing Confidential Care for Physicians and Healthcare Professionals through FSPHP State Physician Health Programs (PHPs).

The input of our PHP members is critical in ensuring that we have the most accurate and complete data, which will empower us to advocate more effectively for improvements in PHP protections where needed.

Members are asked to review and update state-specific information by July 31, 2025.

If your program has any questions or did not receive the email request to verify your state’s regulatory information, please contact Sandra Savage at [email protected].

August 27, 2025 at 12-1pm Eastern Time
Facilitator: Dr. Molly Rossignol, FSPHP Northeast Region Director and New Hampshire Professionals Health Program Medical Director
Click here to register

The FSPHP Open Forum Leadership Series offers a space for PHP leaders to connect, exchange best practices, share updates, and collaborate on key issues impacting physician and professional health programs.  These informal Zoom sessions are agenda-free, with no presentations or minutes—just open, candid dialogue.

Participation is open to FSPHP PHP Members who are part of their organization’s leadership team, including executives, directors, and department heads.

Click here for all upcoming Open Forum Leadership Series Meetings

Email Sandra Savage at [email protected] if you would like to facilitate an Open Forum Leadership Series meeting.