About The Center for a Healthy Maryland

Our mission

The Center for a Healthy Maryland advances health and well-being across the state by supporting, educating, and empowering the people who care for and live in our communities. Through public health programming, youth career development, domestic violence prevention, and physician wellness, we work in partnership with local leaders to build safer, healthier, and more equitable communities for all Marylanders.

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Our Vision

The Center for a Healthy Maryland is dedicated to protecting and improving the health of Marylanders through trusted public health programs, educational initiatives, and partnerships–all working to strengthen the safety, equity, and well-being for all Marylanders.

Broader than Medicine

While we were founded as the nonprofit arm of MedChi, our work reaches far beyond the medical community. We serve students, survivors, physicians, and families across the state—partnering with local schools, hospitals, nonprofits, and health systems to meet real community needs.

Why We Matter

From the classroom to the clinic and in the

community, we ensure Marylanders are

educated, supported, and equipped to thrive—because health isn’t just clinical, it’s personal, generational, and systemic.

Physician Health Programs

The Maryland Physician Health Program assists, supports and provides advocacy for physicians as part of a confidential process to address conditions that affect their ability to practice medicine. The Dan H. McDougal, MD Fund provides grants-in-aid to physicians unable to afford the myriad costs associated with rehabilitation and treatment services.

Community Wellness & Safety

The Domestic Violence Program conducts training and technical assistance to health care professionals. It recently began providing Continuing Education Units, and launched a new website, HealthandDV.org.

Maryland's Healthcare Future

The Bridge the Gap Program addresses the overall physician shortage while creating pathways for underrepresented groups is essential for building a diverse and inclusive healthcare workforce capable of meeting the needs of all communities.

Our History

The Center for a Healthy Maryland, The Maryland State Medical Society Foundation was established in 1976 as a 501(c)(3) corporation to support the charitable, educational and scientific purposes and functions of MedChi. These include education, quality improvement, health promotion, community outreach, preservation of MedChi history, and public health.

A subsequent reorganization occurred in July 2004 which consolidated the administration of all public health and physician-quality programs under the Foundation. In September 2005, the MedChi Foundation was renamed and launched as the Center for a Healthy Maryland, an affiliate of MedChi, to better reflect its vision, mission and activities.

Learn More About MedChi

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Ways to Contribute

Our Staff

Administration

Allan C. Browder, Jr.

Executive Director

Arnold Levine, CPA

Accountant

Development & Fundraising

Chanda Hurms

Director of Development

Maryland Physician Health Program

William Zitzmann, M.D.

Medical Director

John Gloss

Administrative Personnel

Bridge the Gap Program

Vacant

Program Director

Domestic Violence Prevention Program

Audrey Bergin, MPH, MA

Program Director

Lauren Dougherty, MS, BSW

Program Manager

Maryland Healthcare Professionals Program

William Zitzmann, M.D.

Medical Director

Maryland Professional Rehabilitation Program

Karen Dionesotes, M.D., MPH

Medical Director

MPHP, MPRP & MHPP Administration

Margaret Kroen, LCSW-C

Program Director

Mike Llufrio

Director of Operations

Domenica Stone

Chief Administrative Officer

Astrid Richardson-Ashley, LCSW-C

Senior Clinical Manager

Amber Thrasher, LCSW-C

Clinical Manager

Holly Wade, MA, LCPC

Clinical Manager

2026 Board of Trustees

Executive Committee

Ira D. Papel, M.D.
President

Clement S. Banda, M.D.
Vice President

Shannon P. Pryor, M.D.
Treasure

Stephen J. Rockower, M.D.
Immediate Past President

Gene M. Ransom, III
Secretary

Allan C. Browder, Jr.
Executive Director

Trustees

Gregory J. Hobelmann, M.D.
Mr. James C. Hunt Non-Physician Trustee
Kathryn D. Kelly, M.D.
Loralie D. Ma, M.D.
Robin Motter-Mast, M.D.
J. Michael Niehoff, M.D.
Annette M. Pham, M.D.
Padmini D. Ranasinghe, M.D. MedChi Immediate Past President
Mr. Pubudu Ranasinghe Alliance Representative
Mr. James B. Stradtner Non-Physician Trustee
Eric Wargotz, M.D. MedChi President
James M. Williams, M.D. MedChi President Elect

Supporting a Healthier Future for Maryland

Since 1976