Illness does not equal impairment: Why care team members deserve a supportive path back to practice – Chris Bundy, MD, MPH

Having a mental health condition, including depression or substance use disorder, does not automatically mean that a physician, nurse or other healthcare professional is unable to provide patient care in a competent, ethical and professional manner. Chris Bundy, MD, MPH, FAPA, FASAM, and other leaders of state-based professional health programs (PHPs) support physicians and other healthcare professionals as they navigate mental health conditions and help find supportive paths back to practice once their illness is managed. 

In this episode of Caring Greatly, Dr. Bundy talks about how PHPs work, his involvement with the Washington PHP and the Federation of State PHP. He shares some common misperceptions about mental health and substance use, and why the stress and trauma-exposure inherent with working in healthcare environments may create unique vulnerabilities for care team members. Dr. Bundy explains some of the challenges and limitations of PHPs, and discusses how many programs have expanded their purview to support a broader group of healthcare professionals beyond physicians. Today, many PHPs offer support to pharmacists, dentists, physicians’ assistants and nurses. 

Dr. Bundy is Executive Medical Director of the Washington Physicians Health Program (WPHP) and Chief Medical Officer of the Federation of State Physician Health Programs (FSPHP). Board-certified in adult and geriatric psychiatry as well as addiction medicine, he holds faculty appointments as a Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Washington School of Medicine and Clinical Associate Professor at the Washington State University Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine.  

Drawing on his extensive experience as a healthcare leader, medical educator and physician in recovery, Dr. Bundy is dedicated to advancing education, advocacy and support for physician health and care team wellbeing. His contributions have been recognized with the President’s Unsung Hero Award from the Washington State Medical Association and the Presidential Recognition Award from FSPHP. 

Dr. Chris Bundy is a leader who cares greatly. 

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