Dr. Chris Bundy speaks on Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) for Opioid Use Disorders (OUD)

Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) for Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) does not equal treatment with buprenorphine. Dr. Chris Bundy, WPHP Executive Medical Director and FSPHP President, is interviewed on this complex topic:

Doctors’ Exemplary Treatment Success Occurs Absent High Use of Buprenorphine Alcohol and Drug Abuse Weekly – May 11, 2020 article by Gary Enos in the May issue of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Weekly.

“Physicians experience some of the most noteworthy recovery success rates among professional groups, largely because of the presence of physician health programs (PHPs) that offer a treatment-focused alternative to discipline while still protecting public safety.”

Staff Spotlight: Sachi Sugimoto

Sachi joined WPHP in September 2017. She is the Senior Accountant and is responsible for managing the organization’s day to day accounting operations, and preparing and analyzing financial reports. Sachi received her BA in Accounting at Seattle University and later her Master of Science in Accounting at the University of Bothell. She is currently working towards becoming a CPA.

“I started out as Staff Accountant at WPHP in 2017.  I was able to advance my career which was important to my professional development, and the team supported me throughout the journey. I began my Masters in Accounting in 2018 and completed my degree in 2019. I then transitioned over to a new role at WPHP as the Senior Accountant, where I am responsible for financial reporting, managing billing and budgeting, and maintaining financial records.
The team here at WPHP has been one of the best parts of working for the organization. I really appreciate the collaborative culture, and the team’s energy really brightens my work life!”

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

WPHP 2020 Annual Reunion Cancellation

Due to COVID-19, WPHP will be unable to hold the Annual Reunion on May 15-17, 2020.  We came to this decision with heavy hearts, understanding how much this event means to our attendees and staff.  We are also acutely aware of how much fellowship and recovery support are needed during these uncertain times.

We apologize for those who were looking forward to this event and the inconvenience this may cause with travel and work plans.  If you have any questions, concerns, or require follow-up please contact us.

2021 Reunion Information

Covid-19 Support Group Recommendations

Our Executive Medical Director, Dr. Bundy, is on the ASAM Covid-19 Taskforce and led the team that developed these recommendations for promoting support group attendance.

https://www.asam.org/Quality-Science/covid-19-coronavirus/support-group

Introducing: Courtney Strong, LMHC, SUDP

We are excited to introduce our newest team member, Courtney Strong. Mrs. Strong joined WPHP in 2020. As Clinical Director, Mrs. Strong is responsible for direct supervision and professional development of the clinical staff.  In addition, Mrs. Strong manages quality, performance and operational activities that promote WPHP’s commitment to accountability, consistency, and excellence. She has a master’s degree in Counseling Psychology and is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and Substance Use Disorder Professional who has been working in the behavioral health field for over ten years. Most recently, Mrs. Strong served as Director of Edgewood Health Network Seattle. Mrs. Strong applies principles of system redesign, organizational health and relationship building to promote the shared goals of our staff, participants and community stakeholders. Welcome Courtney!

WPHP is Hiring!

We’re Hiring:  We are currently working to fill 3 positions!

• Two Clinical Coordinator positions on our team.
• One facilitator for the Mt. Vernon Substance Use Disorder group. This group meets for 1.5 hours once a week.

If you know someone who may be interested in joining our team, please direct them to our Indeed post for more information on the Clinical Coordinator position or have them contact Shea Scheuler directly with questions.

WPHP Deploys Virtual Technology for Office and Groups to Combat Spread of COVID-19

WPHP is always focused on promoting physician health in Washington State, maintaining the physician workforce and protecting patient safety. This has never been more important than during this time of COVID-19, when every health care professional is critically important to maintaining our health care infrastructure.

To stem the spread of COVID-19 generally and to reduce the risk that the health care professionals we support will be exposed to the virus, WPHP has taken the following steps:

• Moved to virtual office operations as of March 9, 2020. WPHP remains fully operational with staff providing high-quality services to participants and stakeholders via HIPPA compliant video conferencing technology, email and phone.
• Moved WPHP facilitated group meetings onto its video conferencing platform, starting with King County groups on March 9, 2020, and rolling out to the rest of Washington State in the coming days.
• Developed strategies to mitigate other exposure risks that might be associated with WPHP monitoring.

WPHP is exploring additional opportunities to promote physician health such as making its video conferencing platform available to support peer-led recovery meetings for WPHP participants across Washington who need an alternative to their usual in-person meetings.

WPHP is fully committed to doing everything we can to help physicians stay healthy and strong during these challenging times. Do not hesitate to contact us if you know of a physician who is struggling and could use our services, or to discuss additional ways we may be able to provide support.

WPHP’s 2023 Annual Report

Our 2023 Annual Report is here!

This Annual Report celebrates WPHP’s 2023 accomplishments and honors our partners. While the work we do is complex, it is based on a simple and highly effective model deployed with accountability, consistency, and excellence. WPHP works — the health professionals we support, as well as their families, patients and communities, all benefit from our efforts. None of this would be possible without the support of the licensees whose surcharges underwrite our work; the courageous compassion of those who reach out to us each year on behalf of themselves or a peer; the collaboration among the employers, organizations, professional associations, Boards and Commissions with whom we partner; and the dedication of our volunteer Board of Directors to guide our mission.

View Full Report

UW Medicine Update in Hospital Medicine

Join Dr. Bundy at the upcoming UW Medicine Update in Hospital Medicine. Dr. Bundy will be sharing on physician burnout as part of this event that is targeted for practitioners who take care of hospitalized general medicine patients.

Learn more

We’ve Moved!

WPHP is excited to announce that we have moved to the Park Place building in downtown Seattle as of December 2nd. Our new address is 1200 6th Ave, Suite 850, Seattle, WA 98101.

Dr. Bundy Speaks on Physician Burnout

In his role as President-Elect of FSPHP, Dr. Bundy was asked by the Rural Health Information Hub to speak on Physician Burnout.

Part 1

Part 2