About the Session
Physician Health Programs (PHPs) play a critical role in supporting clinicians who seek help for mental health conditions or substance use disorders, yet wide variation exists in how these programs are structured, resourced, and integrated within state regulatory environments. This session will review findings from a recent national survey highlighting trends in PHP scope, organizational models, funding models and referral pathways, and will explore the characteristics associated with strong and effective programs. Faculty will discuss how data and experience from PHP operations can inform programmatic and regulatory improvements that enhance clinician recovery while maintaining confidentiality and patient safety. The session will also examine opportunities to strengthen collaboration between PHPs and state medical boards to ensure consistent, high-quality support for clinicians in need.
About the Panelists
George M. Abraham, MD, MPH, has a long and distinguished career as a leader in medicine and medical regulation. As Chair of the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Medicine, he provided key leadership reflecting a deep commitment to both patient safety and physician well-being, including implementing emergency licensing measures, incorporating telehealth, and mobilizing the health care workforce during the COVID pandemic. He is the current chair of the FSMB Board of Directors and serves as Chief of Medicine at Saint Vincent Hospital in Worcester, MA, Professor of Medicine at the University of Massachusetts Medical School, and Adjunct Professor at the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences. He is an Emeritus President of the American College of Physicians and received the FSMB’s John H. Clark Outstanding Leadership Award in 2021.
Michael Baron, MD, MPH, is the current President of the Federation of State Physician Health Programs (FSPHP). He earned both an MD and an MPH from Tulane University and completed an Anesthesiology residency at Washington University in St. Louis and a Psychiatry residency at Vanderbilt University. He is board certified in Anesthesiology, Psychiatry, and Addiction Medicine and serves as a Clinical Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at Vanderbilt University. In 2006, he published research demonstrating that high-dose opioids increased chronic pain scores. Dr. Baron was appointed to the Tennessee Board of Medical Examiners in 2010 and reappointed in 2015. During his service, he contributed to the development of Tennessee Department of Health rules related to pain treatment, prescribing controlled substances, and Office-Based Opioid Treatment. He also served on two workgroups of the Federation of State Medical Boards addressing Physician Sexual Misconduct and Physician Illness and Impairment. In January 2017, Dr. Baron resigned from the Tennessee Board of Medical Examiners to become Medical Director of the Tennessee Medical Foundation – Physician Health Program. In 2023, he co-authored two book chapters related to physician fitness for duty and supporting patients working in safety-sensitive occupations. He was installed as President of the FSPHP in May 2024.
Edwin Kim, MD, FAPA, is President-Elect of the Federation of State Physician Health Programs. He is a medical director of the Pennsylvania Physicians' Health Program, Nurses' Health Program, Pharmacists' Health Program and Dentists' Health Program of the Foundation of the Pennsylvania Medical Society. Dr. Kim maintains clinical privileges at Penn Medicine and the VA Palo Alto Healthcare System. He continues the important work of teaching medical students, residents, and fellows as a Clinical Assistant Professor (Affiliated) of Stanford University School of Medicine. He sits on several FSPHP committees (Public Policy, Publications, Ethics) and currently serves as Chair of the Membership Committee.
Lisa J. Merlo, PhD, MPE, is a licensed clinical psychologist and professor of psychiatry at the University of Florida College of Medicine. Dr. Merlo earned her B.A. from Transylvania University (summa cum laude), then completed her M.A. and Ph.D. in clinical psychology at Wayne State University. She completed postdoctoral training in clinical child psychology at the University of Florida, then earned a second master's degree in psychiatric epidemiology from Washington University in St. Louis while completing postdoctoral training in substance use disorder epidemiology and prevention. Dr. Merlo's research focuses on physicians and other healthcare professionals with potentially-impairing conditions, and wellbeing among physicians and physicians-in-training. She currently serves as the Director of Research for the Professionals Resource Network, Inc. (Florida's PHP) and the Director of Wellness Programs for the University of Florida College of Medicine.
About the Moderator
Christy Valentine Theard, MD, MBA. A proud Louisiana native, Dr. Christy Valentine Theard serves as the President and CEO of Healthy Blue Louisiana. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Xavier University of Louisiana, followed by a medical degree from Louisiana State University School of Medicine in New Orleans. She completed her residency in both Pediatrics and Internal Medicine at Tulane University. Dr. Valentine Theard has held a number of influential positions throughout her career. She served 15 years as a Commissioner for New Orleans East Hospital and eight years on the Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners (LSBME), where she also served as President. Additionally, she has served as Louisiana Statewide Medical Director for Reproductive Health and as a Medical Consultant for the Louisiana Bureau of Community Preparedness. Her leadership extends to professional associations as well. She is a Past President of both the New Orleans Medical Association and the Louisiana Managed Medical Association Board. In 2023, Dr. Valentine Theard was elected to the Board of Directors of the Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB), and in April 2025, she was elected FSMB Chair-Elect. When she assumes the role of Chair in 2026, she will be the first Louisianian to do so in 46 years.
Target Audience
This activity was designed specifically for members and staff of state medical and osteopathic boards, as well as individuals interested in medical regulation.
Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this educational activity, participants should be able to:
Accreditation Statement
The Federation of State Medical Boards is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
Credit Designation Statement
The Federation of State Medical Boards designates this enduring material for a maximum of 1.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
The Federation of State Medical Boards certifies that non-physicians will receive an attendance certificate stating they participated in the activity that was designated for 1.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™.
Release Date: 05/01/2026
Expiration Date: 05/01/2027 (Date after which this enduring material is no longer accredited for CME credit.)
Disclosure Declaration
As an organization accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB) requires that the content of CME activities and related materials provide balance, independence, objectivity, and scientific rigor. All faculty, planners, and others in a position to control continuing medical education content participating in an accredited continuing education activity are required to disclose all financial relationships with ineligible companies. Ineligible companies are organizations whose primary business is producing, marketing, selling, re-selling, or distributing healthcare products used by or on patients. Faculty (authors, presenters, speakers) are encouraged to provide a balanced view of therapeutic options by utilizing either generic names or other options available when utilizing trade names to ensure impartiality.
All faculty members are asked to disclose all financial relationships they have had in the past 24 months with ineligible companies regardless of the potential relevance of each relationship to the education and of the amount. The FSMB has implemented a mechanism to identify and resolve all conflicts of interest prior to the activity. The intent of this policy is to identify potential conflicts of interest so participants can form their own judgments with full disclosure of the facts. Participants will be asked to evaluate whether the speaker’s outside interests reflect a possible bias in the planning or presentation of the activity.
None of the planners, speakers, moderators and/or panelists for this activity have relevant financial relationships to disclose with ineligible companies.
Instructions for Participants and Obtaining CME Credit
There is no fee for this activity. To receive credit and receive their certificates, participants must view this CME activity in its entirety and complete the evaluation. The estimated time for completion of this activity is 1.5 hours.
System Requirements
In order to view this presentation, your computer must have audio capabilities (working speakers or headphones) and must have an internet browser capable of playing an HTML5 video.
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