The WMC Fall Update: WPHP Program Updates

WPHP is excited to share key updates and advancements for 2024. These efforts highlight our commitment to supporting Washington’s medical professionals and enhancing the services we provide.

This year, WPHP launched a Strategic Communications Plan, updating our mission, vision, and values to better reflect our role in the medical community. WPHP has also increased communications and revamped our outreach efforts to raise visibility about our program and services.

The new Quality Assurance Team has streamlined operations, improving efficiency for staff and participants alike. Notably, the team has pioneered innovations in toxicology testing, further enhancing the quality of our services.

In news regarding WPHP leadership, Dr. Chris Bundy, Executive Medical Director, has been appointed the first-ever Chief Medical Officer for the Federation of State Physician Health Programs (FSPHP), a significant milestone for both Dr. Bundy and WPHP. Dr. Bundy will be serving in a consulting capacity for FSPHP as he continues his full-time role as WPHP’s Executive Medical Director.

WPHP also continues its advocacy efforts, pushing for reforms in licensing and credentialing while protecting medical professionals’ privacy under the public records act.

These developments underscore WPHP’s dedication to supporting the health and well-being of medical professionals across Washington. For a more detailed look into these updates and the ongoing work at WPHP, click the link below for the full article.

WMC Update!

WPHP Advocacy

Learn more about our advocacy work and the positive changes we’ve made in the latest edition of the WMC newsletter!

Read the full update here.

An Update on the Washington Practitioner Application

Check out this edition of WSMA’s Weekly Rounds to learn more about the updated Washington Practitioner Application. A big thank you to Washington State Medical Association (WSMA) , Washington Medical Commission , and Washington Credentialing Standardization Group (WCSG) for all your support along this journey!

WPHP Advocates For Participants

WPHP works to protect and enhance the confidentiality of our participants. We’ve compiled a list to highlight some of the hard work we’ve done over the past year.

Recently, Dr. Bundy interviewed with InvestigateTV to explain how confidentiality for physicians translates to safer care for patients.

A few weeks ago, in partnership with the Washington State Medical Association and the Washington Medical Commission, WPHP was successful in preserving an important protection for participant confidentiality in the public records act. 

WPHP introduced legislation in 2022 that adds enhanced confidentiality protections for program participants. SSB 5496 passed with overwhelming bipartisan support.

In November 2021, WPHP worked closely with the Washington Medical Commission to remove licensure questions about health history, replacing them with an advisory that points to WPHP. The amended application only asks about current impairing or potentially impairing substance use that is not known to WPHP.

WMC Summer Update features article by Dr. Bundy!

See Dr. Bundy’s article, “WPHP Q and A,” in the latest edition of The Washington Medical Commission’s newsletter, Update!  

Dr. Bundy discusses the impact of COVID-19 on frontline workers in the Washington Medical Commission Spring 2021 Update

The Washington Medical Commission Spring 2021 Update features the WPHP Report highlighting a study about frontline workers and COVID-19.  

Read Now

Thank you, FSMB!

“Thank you to the Federation of State Medical Boards for recognizing the collaboration between WPHP and the https://wmc.wa.gov/ in reforming licensure questions in order to combat stigma and remove an important barrier to seeking care among health professionals.”– Dr. Chris Bundy, WPHP Executive Medical Director

Read Here

Dr. Bundy weighs in on the future of health care post COVID-19

In the Washington Medical Commission Summer 2020 Update, Dr. Bundy speaks on how COVID-19 has sparked challenges for the health care workforce, and simultaneously created the opportunity to reshape the industry moving forward.

Learn More

Setting the Record Straight

Check out Dr. Bundy’s three part series in the Washington Medical Commission’s Update! In this series Dr. Bundy is “Setting the Record Straight” and answering common questions about Physician Health Programs.

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Dr. Bundy’s “Setting the Record Straight”

Check out Dr. Bundy’s latest contribution to the Washington Medical Commission’s Update! In this Winter Update Dr. Bundy is “Setting the Record Straight” and answering common questions about Physician Health Programs.

View Article