It is with deep gratitude and amazement that I have watched and helped the Federation of State Physician Health Programs (FSPHP) grow into a well-recognized national medical organization that supports the health and wellness of physicians, other health professionals, and safety-sensitive workers. This prosperity started long before my tenure.

As I conclude my term as President, I do so with a profound sense of success for where we are today. It has been an honor to serve this organization in advancing our mission and strengthening the physician and health professional program (PHP) model that saves countless lives and careers of safety-sensitive workers. Although this message is from my perspective as the President of FSPHP, it would not have been possible to do this as an individual. Our achievements have been accomplished by a remarkable team with a shared vision.

Accidental Career

As I reflect, I am amazed by where I was and how I got here. My own PHP journey started over 29 years ago as an addicted physician. The first Medical Director of the Tennessee Medical Foundation (TMF) and third President of FSPHP, Dr. David Dodd, intervened and saved my life.

After two years of both being in recovery and being back in the operating room, Dr. Dodd convinced me to change specialties, from pediatric cardiac anesthesiology to psychiatry. It was not a hard sell, but it did require three additional years of psychiatry training. This bloomed into an accidental career in physician health and wellness.

Over the years, my psychiatry practice steered toward treating professionals suffering from pain and addiction, burnout, depression, and other professional health issues. This work included evaluations for PHPs. In 2010, the Governor appointed me to the Tennessee Board of Medical Examiners (BME), with an objective to educate fellow BME members about physician health issues. After seven years of providing education and being educated, I resigned from the BME to become the third medical director of the TMF. I can sincerely say that without the TMF, I would not be writing this message; I would have lost a career, a wife, a family, and probably my life. Before he passed, Dr. Dodd told me to keep paying it forward. Serving as FSPHP President has been the ultimate fulfillment of my accidental career and the truest expression of paying it forward.

FSPHP Growth

Under my watch, the Federation has continued to grow in both reach and impact. The following are just some of the highlights:

• We procured numerous grants, including from the American Medical Association (AMA), American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS), The Physicians Foundation, and eight malpractice liability carriers.
• We have developed and nurtured partnerships with the Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB), American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS), American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP), American Psychiatric Association (APA), American Medical Association (AMA), Medical Professional Liability Association (MPLA), the Dr. Lorna Breen Heroes’ Foundation, and many other national stakeholders.
• We launched the Performance Enhancement and Effectiveness Review™ (PEER™) and the FSPHP Evaluation and Treatment Accreditation™ (FSPHP-ETA™) programs.

At writing, five PHPs have undergone PEER™ and five treatment centers have been ETA™ accredited. FSPHP is making changes to become more inclusive of other health programs. To help facilitate this, we have proposed changing our Board of Directors’ composition by reducing the number of regional directors from two to one per region so we can increase the Director-at-Large and Public Director positions from one each to a maximum of three each. These changes should occur by May 2027, with appropriate bylaw changes and membership approval.

FSPHP has been involved in many measures to help reduce stigma for receiving mental health help. We have aligned with AFSP and APA in producing suicide prevention webinars, and many PHPs now use their own platform to host AFSP’s Interactive Screening Program.

Together, we have elevated awareness of physician health as a core component of patient safety and strengthened our collaborative relationships with regulatory boards. We continue to refine and promote best practices for participant support, advocacy, and health verification. Our committees, task forces, and workgroups have been remarkably productive in addressing emerging needs, from well-being and burnout to safe haven and confidentiality. None of this progress would have been possible without the engagement and expertise of our Board members, executive and administrative staff, committees, and members.

Gratitude

I am filled with gratitude for what we have done. I am especially grateful for the dedication of Linda Bresnahan, our Executive Director and CEO, whose passion and tireless energy are mystifying. Dr. Chris Bundy, our Chief Medical Officer, has been an amazing resource and connector who has made my job so much easier. I also want to recognize Sandra Savage, whose steady support, coordination, and behind-the-scenes efforts ensure that our programs, committees, meetings, and communications run smoothly and effectively. I also need to acknowledge the time, financial commitment, and professional and personal support the TMF has provided to allow me to do this job. Without TMF’s vast support, I would not have been able to do this work. I want to give a big, loving thank you to Heidi Baron, who has remained my partner for the last 39 years. Through thick and thin and the challenges and demands of my work, Heidi has been my rock. I also want to thank the many other people, including past presidents, whom I have reached out to over the last many years for advice and direction. Finally, thank you to FSPHP members for your support and encouragement. Serving as President has been a deeply meaningful experience for me. I have been repeatedly inspired to see that our collective work saves lives and saves careers that might otherwise be lost, all while protecting the public. It has reinforced my belief that PHPs are an essential part of the health professional’s social contract and that our Federation plays a vital role in sustaining and improving this work.

Transition

As I transition out of this role, I am confident that FSPHP is in strong hands. Our incoming President, Dr. Edwin Kim, brings experience, vision, and a shared commitment to collaboration and continuous improvement. I hope you will extend him the same support, candor, and engagement that you have so generously afforded me. Although my term as President is ending, my commitment to the mission of FSPHP and the work of physician health will continue during the next two years as Immediate Past President and beyond.

Thank you for the privilege of serving as your President, and for all that each of you does to support the health and save the lives of our colleagues.

With appreciation,
Michael Baron, MD, MPH, DFASAM, FAPA
President, FSPHP