The Physicians Health Program of the Tennessee Medical Foundation -
Who Are We?

The Physicians Health Program (PHP) was started by the Tennessee Medical Association (TMA) as the Impaired Physician Peer Review Committee in 1978, and has since become a model for the rest of the nation. The PHP was originally staffed by Dr. Bill Anderson and other volunteer physicians throughout Tennessee. In 1983, the TMA authorized the employment of a part-time Medical Director and subsequently employed David T. Dodd, M.D. in November of 1984. In 1992, the TMA turned over the operation of the PHP to the Tennessee Medical Foundation (TMF).

The mission of the PHP is to protect patients by identifying, intervening on, rehabilitating, and providing advocacy for physicians impaired by addictive disease and/or mental or emotional illness. The PHP services are available to all physicians at no charge. Started as a chemical addiction program, the PHP now works with physicians experiencing a broad range of behavioral problems as well. In its history, the PHP has worked with well over 2,000 physicians in Tennessee as well as dozens of physician assistants, psychologists, social workers, veterinarians, and nurse practitioners for whom no other professional assistance programs were available or appropriate.

Dr. Dodd retired as Medical Director in 2001 and in January 2002, Roland W. Gray, M.D. became PHP Medical Director and currently serves as the TMF CEO. Mr. Vince Parrish, L.C.S.W., a Social Worker and Certified Addiction Specialist, was hired as Field Coordinator in 2003. Mr. Michael Todd was hired as Administrator that same year.

Because of the program’s reputation for effectively serving physicians and health care professionals, the PHP now is able to reach individuals at a much earlier phase in their illness or in the development of their behavioral problems. The program continues to grow and currently enjoys excellent working relationships with several of the boards under the Tennessee Health Related Boards, insurers, and third party reimbursement entities, professional associations, hospital medical staffs, and other interested parties.

The TMF is a non-profit 501(c)3 charitable organization. All of our funds come from individuals and organizations who realize that the PHP’s services are invaluable. If you would like to assist us in our mission of helping Tennessee physicians, their families, and the communities in which they live and work, please make a tax deductible donation to the TMF.