Colorado Physician Health Program (CPHP)

The mission of Colorado Physician Health Program is to promote the health and well-being of physicians and physician assistants through evaluation, treatment referral, support, education and research. The vision of the Colorado Physician Health Program is a healthy Colorado through the well-being of Colorado physicians and physician assistants.

CPHP believes that early intervention and evaluation offer the best opportunity for a successful outcome and prevents the health condition from needlessly interfering with medical practice. CPHP provides diagnostic evaluation, monitoring and support for any physician or physician assistant in CO.

Testimonials

"Almost thirty years ago I first came to CPHP when my wife and I were having some marital problems. However, I must confess the problems were primarily created by me. CPHP's counseling was so effective. I then knew doctors had a place to go when they had problems.

Fast forward to 2011, as it was discovered that I had prostate cancer and would soon go through radiation treatment. Additionally I had been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease four years earlier. I was in private practice and affiliated with a front-range hospital. Suddenly I was told that my contract would not be renewed. I knew this was because of concerns about my health issues.

I could appreciate everyone's concern about my Parkinson's and its neurological effects and certainly the impending cancer treatments. But the Parkinson's was a slow progression for me and I was stable. There were no observable symptoms. However, it had become an issue in the workplace, and threatened my career. I wanted to make sure I was safe to practice as well. Drawing from my previous experience with CPHP I knew their mission was to work with doctors, so I soon contacted your organization.

I was so thankful to the clinician prior to the initial appointment. I had spoken with her on a number of occasions by phone prior to arriving at CPHP. I had a lot of trepidation as I wondered if CPHP was going to automatically tell me I couldn't practice any more. Heidi put me at ease by informing me that if I complied with all CPHP requirements for evaluation and treatment and/or monitoring that I would be covered under the "Safe Haven" provision and would not have to disclose my health problems upon renewal of my medical license.

Arriving at CPHP I knew I had made the right decision. In addition to the clinician's professionalism and helpful counsel, the CPHP Associate Medical Director, Scott Humphreys, MD, was wonderfully reassuring. He administered a series of cognitive tests, which were not difficult for me.

Dr. Humphreys was also evaluating my speech, posture, thinking processes and overall well being to make sure that I was safe to practice. I have always been upfront and honest with others and myself. I do not want to practice if there is any threat to patient safety. In that case, I know it would be time to hang up my shingle. I am highly self aware and blessed to be stable with Parkinson's now. Currently I take only one medication to treat this disease. I am also pleased to have the prostate cancer in remission. I am still being monitored by CPHP, but I completely welcome this. As most people know, Parkinson's is a progressive disease that has to be watched carefully.

This past year I resumed practicing medicine on a part time basis and am enjoying this new challenge. Furthermore, I am stable neurologically and have no problems. Recently I had to renew my license and was so pleased to utilize the "Safe Haven" provision and answer no to several questions on my reapplication. I was only able to do this because I am known to CPHP and have informed them of my mental and physical conditions and am complying with all of their requirements for evaluation, treatment and monitoring.

If there are physicians in Colorado who are fearful of contacting CPHP with problems of any kind, I would ask why they are afraid. They need not be worried. If a physician has nothing to hide they will fine. I would reassure physicians that CPHP is not trying to take away our rights as physicians. If you have the slightest doubt about any kind of health issue, I would encourage you to be evaluated by a physician peer at CPHP. After all, it is a service offered to all of us physicians free of charge, too.

Finally, I am so pleased that CPHP conducts education and awareness throughout the Colorado medical community using a variety of methods. I think the continuation and expansion of this outreach would be helpful to many physicians who may need your resource now or in the future".