Observed annually on August 17, National Nonprofit Day is a valuable opportunity to recognize the vital contributions nonprofit organizations make to the communities they serve. This day honors the dedication, tireless efforts, and impacts of nonprofits working to create lasting, positive change.

This year, the Washington Physicians Health Program (WPHP) is proud to celebrate 40 years of serving Washington’s healthcare professionals as the trusted resource for restoring their health and well-being. Through case-by-case assessment, referrals to approved external evaluators and treatment providers, health support, and advocacy, our confidential support and exceptional outcomes provide reassurance of safe practice and promote workforce sustainability.

The Origins of WPHP

Following the publication of the seminal article “The Sick Physician” in the Journal of the American Medical Association in 1973, the Washington State Medical Association (WSMA) created the WSMA Committee on Personal Problems of Physicians to assist physicians in crisis in 1974.

In 1986, the WSMA Committee on Personal Problems of Physicians established WPHP, initially called the Washington Monitored Treatment Program Committee, to help physicians receive treatment, rather than discipline, when illness threatened safe practice. Since 1992, WPHP has been an independent, physician-led, nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization and is governed by a Board of Directors approved by WSMA.

As a result of WSMA’s lobbying work with the Washington State Legislature in 1986, WPHP is primarily funded by a special license surcharge that is paid by the Washington State Department of Health license holders who are eligible to participate in WPHP. The program is not funded by taxpayer dollars or from regulatory program budgets. In this way, WPHP is truly a peer-to-peer assistance program that is funded by and for the license holders who are eligible for WPHP services. WPHP also receives donations which help WPHP assist healthcare professionals, conduct research, provide scholarships for those who could not otherwise afford treatment, and support education and outreach efforts in the community.

Who WPHP Serves

Initially founded to support physicians with substance use disorders, WPHP can assist with any health condition that may affect safe clinical practice. This includes mental health disorders, non-psychiatric health conditions, and neurologic and cognitive disorders.

Today, WPHP provides services to allopathic, osteopathic, and podiatric physicians, physician assistants, dentists, veterinarians, and students and residents of these professions.

Building a Robust Team

As the number of Washington healthcare professionals seeking support increased and WPHP’s scope of services expanded, there was a clear need for increased staffing. WPHP began operating under a dual leadership model with an Executive Director and Executive Medical Director in 2010. Sheldon Cooper has served as Executive Director since 2015, and Dr. Chris Bundy has served as Executive Medical Director since 2016.

WPHP also introduced new teams to allow the Clinical team to focus on providing compassionate care and individualized support to program participants. In 2022, WPHP developed the Quality Assurance team to ensure accountability, consistency, transparency, and excellence in program operations and service delivery. The Communications team was developed in 2023 to expand strategic communications and outreach efforts, ensuring that Washington’s medical professionals and healthcare organizations are aware of WPHP’s services and resources.

A National Leader Among Physician Health Programs (PHPs)

WPHP’s 40-year history of providing confidential, voluntary support to Washington’s healthcare professionals has made the organization a national leader among PHPs. Several WPHP leadership team members have also held national leadership roles at the Federation of State Physician Health Programs (FSPHP), the nonprofit membership association of PHPs.

Dr. Lynn Hankes, WPHP Medical Director Emeritus, served as FSPHP President from 1999-2001. Dr. Chris Bundy served as FSPHP President from 2020-2022 and has served as the first-ever FSPHP Chief Medical Officer since 2024. Most recently, Dr. Laura Moss, WPHP Associate Medical Director, was appointed FSPHP President-Elect in 2026. She previously served as FSPHP Western Region Director from 2022-2026. Their knowledge and expertise have helped shape PHP objectives, policies, and practices across the nation.

Reflection and Gratitude

As we reflect on four decades of advancing the health and well-being of Washington’s medical community, WPHP is deeply grateful for all who have supported our mission as a nonprofit organization, including licensees whose surcharges underwrite our work, healthcare organizations and governing bodies who trust our process and safe-to-practice endorsements, supporters who provide generous donations, and program participants who we have the privilege of guiding toward a healthier, happier tomorrow.

WPHP looks forward to many more years of supporting those who dedicate their lives to caring for others.