Maryland Physician Health Program
Helping physicians and the medical community for more than 45 years.
Our Mission
The mission of the Maryland Physician Health Program is to provide compassionate high-quality assistance to physicians and other healthcare professionals dealing with potentially impairing conditions in a private, non-disciplinary setting while protecting both the confidentiality of the participant and the safety of the public.
Our Purpose
The Maryland Physician Health Program (MPHP) assists physicians and other allied health care professionals in a confidential, private setting to address issues that may potentially impact their ability to practice medicine. The MPHP assesses and refers participants to clinically appropriate treatment, helps the participant develop a clinical management plan, provides case management to facilitate progress with the plan, and provides advocacy on behalf of the client when needed. The program also provides education and outreach to the medical community regarding physician impairment and available services.
Did you know…
- In 1973, the AMA Council on Mental Health published a landmark study, The Sick Physician, estimating that 3.2 percent of physicians suffer from alcoholism, 2 percent from drug abuse, and 1.3 percent from other mental disorders.
- An impaired physician is one whose ability to practice medicine, with reasonable skill and safety, is impaired because of mental illness, substance, or physical disability. –The American Medical Association, 1973
- Mayo Clinic Proceedings reported in 2009 that an estimated 10% to 12% of physicians will develop a substance use disorder during their careers, a rate like the general population.
- The National Academy of Medicine (NAM) Action Collaborative on Clinician Well-Being and Resilience in October 2022 launched the National Plan for Health Workforce Well-Being. They note that 54% of nurses and physicians, 60% of medical students and residents, and 61% of pharmacists have symptoms of burnout.
Watch the Video Breaking the Silence >
Confidentiality
The Maryland Physician Health Program is not affiliated with the Maryland Board of Physicians. MPHP meets HIPAA compliance standards. Federal and state laws ensure the confidentiality of practitioners referred to MPHP and participant records are non-discoverable and confidential to the extent covered by law. Exceptions to confidentiality include evidence of imminent harm to self or others through good-faith assessment by program staff, medical emergencies, court-ordered disclosures, and the State of Maryland mandated reporting requirements regarding child abuse and neglect.
Notice of Privacy Practice
Our Participants
Physicians and other healthcare practitioners licensed by the Maryland Board of Physicians experiencing problems can voluntarily use our services. We accept self-referrals as well as referrals from hospital or practice administrators, credentialing committees, therapists, and other treatment providers.
MPHP also offers education and outreach to the medical community regarding challenges that physicians and other healthcare providers’ encounter. Contact us to arrange a speaker to present to your team 800-992-7010 OR 410-962-5580 OR EMAIL PHPINFO@MEDCHI.ORG
The types of concerns encountered by the MPHP include:
- Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism
- Chemical dependency
- Mental or emotional health
- Physical and cognitive impairment
- Behavioral issues
- Legal issues
- Boundary Violations
- Stress and burnout
FOR A CONFIDENTIAL CONSULTATION FOR YOU OR A COLLEAGUE WHO MAY BENEFIT FROM OUR HELP, PLEASE CALL 800-992-7010 OR 410-962-5580 OR EMAIL PHPINFO@MEDCHI.ORG.
Cost
The MPHP is financed through hospital and participant fees and donations. There is a $650 administrative fee for opening a case. Participants may be requested to undergo independent evaluations and/or treatment. In such cases, the participant may choose to access personal insurance plans, or pay out of pocket for any recommended evaluations, therapies, or treatments. There is a monthly fee of $200 for case management services which commences upon a participant’s signing an advocacy contract.
The Dan H. McDougal, MD Fund provides grants-in-aid to MPHP participants who are unable to afford the costs associated with MPHP services. Once enrolled, participants can request a Financial Assistance application to determine eligibility. If you would like to contribute to this fund DONATE here.
If you wish to make a referral, please call 410-962-5580 or 800-992-7010 or e-mail PHPINFO@MEDCHI.ORG .
Program Staff
Arthur Hildreth, M.D.
Medical Director, Physician Health Program
Margaret Ann Kroen, LCSW-C
Program Director
410.962.5580, ext. 5411
Michael C. Llufrio
Director of Operations
410.962.5580, ext. 5412
Domenica Stone
Chief Administrative Officer
410.962.5580, ext. 5413
Astrid Richardson-Ashley, LCSW-C
Senior Clinical Manager
410.962.5580, ext. 5417
Amber Thrasher, LCSW-C
Clinical Manager II
410.962.5580, ext. 4405
Holly Wade, MA, LCPC
Clinical Manager II
410.962.5580, ext. 5415
