To my brother in arms Dr. Chip Fenn- you are beautiful!
Rest in Peace!. You were brilliant and caring both in and out of the Emergency Department.
http://www.legacy.com/…/pilotonline/james-d-fenn…/183869271…
Reblogged on WordPress.com
Source: The Lemonheads – Beautiful
To my brother Dr. Chip Fenn. Rest in Peace. You were brilliant and caring both in and out of the Emergency Department.
http://www.legacy.com/…/pilotonline/james-d-fenn…/183869271…
Video post by @mllangan1.
Every day is so wonderful
Then suddenly it’s hard to breathe.
Now and then I get insecure
From all the pain, I’m so ashamed.
I am beautiful no matter what they say.
Words can’t bring me down.
I am beautiful in every single way.
Yes, words can’t bring me down… Oh no.
So don’t you bring me down today.
To all your friends you’re delirious,
So consumed in all your doom.
Trying hard to fill the emptiness.
The pieces gone, left the puzzle undone.
is that the way it is?
Source: The Lemonheads – Beautiful
Written by Linda Perry.
Source: Please donate! Need urgent funding! No donation is too small. Come on!
Anonymous referrals to state PHPs can result in loss of careers, families and even lives. I have heard from doctors targeted due to age , religion, sexual preference , nationality, political stance and appearance. Referred to the state PHP with an anonymous complaint of “alcohol on breath” or “anger issues,” these good doctors were removed from practice under the guise of protecting the public. By claiming a doctor has a “potentially impairing illness” and falsely labelling him or her with a substance use or behavioral disorder they are able to remove due process and remove any doctor from practice. The system is designed to give the appearance of legitimacy. It is not. The stories I have heard and continue to hear from doctors and medical students are as horrific as they are heartbreaking. I have heard from female doctors who refused to go out on a date with, spurned sexual advances and even been raped by other doctors who then reported them to their state PHP for damage control. I have heard from many doctors who discovered misconduct such as insurance or Medicare fraud who were promptly reported to their PHP and doctors who were reported by competitors for patients. I have heard from doctors reported out of jealousy, anger, racism and bigotry. Some of these storied can be seen on who have thwarted sexual advances and even been raped who were reported to their state “letters from those abused and afraid
My work in physician health reform has resulted in some significant gains. For example the Medscape article Physician Health Programs- More Harm Than Good? by Pauline Anderson was the result of Medscape Editor taking an interest in my tweets about a year earlier and contacting me and taking an interest in my blog. Physician Health Programs- More Harm Than Good? broke new ground as it was the first mainstream medical article critical of PHPs. This was read by British Medical Journal Editor Jeanne Lenzer and this led to “Physician health programs under fire.” In this article published in the BMJ she takes on the financial conflicts of interest, abuse and fraud in PHPs and the FSPHP’s response to direct and specific questions revealed what an irrational and illegitimate authority they are. They cannot provide direct and simple answers to direct and simple questions and remain tongue tied to this day.
By all counts their days are numbered and the articles mentioned above and more to come are the direct result of bottom-up activism. So too is a forthcoming audit by Massachusetts state Auditor Suzanne Bump whose office has already interviewed enough abused doctors to warrant an investigation which will hopefully look into the misconduct and fraud being perpetrated by the Massachusetts PHP in collusion with a specific group of attorneys within the medical board that blocks due process and conceals evidence to protect the PHP and harm innocent doctors.
It took 25 years for the FSPHP to rise. Let’s hope their demise is much quicker. They need to be named as the enemy and addressed on a state by state basis. We have dealt some significant blows and I would like to keep throwing some direct punches to the enemy but at this point it is getting difficult due to financial matters and I urgently need funding and support.
The need for allies and funding is urgent as time is critical. We have to expose this group as an illegitimate and irrational authority, expose their fraud and scams and expose the backgrounds of some of the individuals involved. Physician health programs should not longer be considered the elephant in the room. All you have to do is look at documentary facts and evidence to see what is happening and any ignorance at this point would have to be deemed willful ignorance. You cannot continue to ignore the obvious. To those within the PHPs and their sympathizers and apologists your silence speaks volumes To save American Medicine it is essential this be exposed, investigated and the perps held accountable. Silence is no longer an option.
https://www.gofundme.com/PHPReform
Nosce te ipsum. Nosce inimicum tuum. Know thyself, know thy enemy. The FSPHP is the enemy. They must be named. This must be acknowledged and recognized if we are to move forward. They cannot be bargained with. They are inflexible. The goals are pre-determined. They are cemented in stone. The FSPHP needs to be removed plain and simple. The punches can no longer be pulled but in the interim we need to set up advocacy and watchdog groups to help and protect those already caught in this web of manipulation, oppression and fear. This is abuse. The political abuse of psychiatry and institutional injustice can no longer be tolerated. This is war. Wake up, Stand up and Speak up. Your silence is your consent. . Let’s drain this swamp in 2017!
Nosce te ipsum. Nosce inimicum tuum
According to Erich Fromm rational authority is based on competence, experience, and mutual respect. Irrational authority is often disguised as benevolent paternalism and is designed to perpetuate or intensify conditions of inequality through the use or threat of force, deceptiveness, and secretiveness.
The Federation of State Physician Health Programs (FSPHP) has has operated as an unexamined authority for the past 25-years . They have pushed practice and policy unquestioned and without opposition that has gravely harmed individual doctors, the medical profession itself and the public at large. Everything they have done has been done to benefit themselves and their drug and alcohol assessment, testing and treatment affiliates in the provision of protections, power and profits.
Examining the specific practice and policy pushed reveals a body of false-claims making designed to facilitate the systemic use of coercion and threats, remove all due process protections and fundamental rights from physicians and prevent, block and eliminate the evidence. This practice and policy collective has created a culture of impunity, immunity and deference that is able to successfully conceal ethical violations and crimes. Uncovering their wrongdoing is a nearly impenetrable gauntlet. It is a system of institutional injustice that is undoubtedly a major contributor to the suicide epidemic in the profession. They have been able to conceal the truth, avoid investigation and prevent punishment for years by removing themselves from all accountability and outside inquiry. Direct and specific questioning appears to be their Achille’s heel as the recent spat of articles critical of these programs is showing just how much of an illegitimate authority they really are.
In her rebuttal to Pauline Anderson’s article “Physician Health Programs: More Harm Than Good?” FSPHP President Doris Gunderson dismissed the accusations of fraud and abuse in one fell swoop as “allegations rather than facts” and second hand anecdotes. Countering allegations of an absence of oversight and regulation she states:
“In fact, we operate under a microscope, answering to individual practitioners, medical boards, malpractice carriers, defense attorneys, state attorneys, medical societies, hospitals, medical schools and residency training programs. We are also accountable to patient safety entities and a Board of Directors.”
Untrue. Accountability demands both provision of information and justification for actions to outside entities capable of punishing misconduct. . What was done and why? No such entity exists and no pathway for appeal or grievance redressal exists either. Zero accountability. Ditto for the “PHP-approved” assessment and treatment centers. As cash only out-of-pocket facility they remove themselves from the prying eyes of insurers.
The North Carolina PHP Audit found the past FSPHP President and NC PHP director Warren Pendergast could not identify the qualitative or quantitative indicators used for “approving” PHP-approved facilities. The best he could come up with is “reputation” and “word of mouth” yet state medical boards mandate evaluations of doctors at these facilities and specifically exclude non-“PHP-approved” facilities.This is enforced by the Federation of State Medical Boards Policy on Physician Impairment. Each state managed by the FSPHP utilizes the same dozen or so facilities and each state medical board mandates it under threat of disciplinary action. It is in fact a rigged game.
Denying accusations of coercion Gunderson states in her rebuttal to Anderson’s article:
“The detractors of PHPs interviewed for the article maintain that PHPs are coercive. Yet the report fails to mention that PHPs have no authority to mandate treatment and monitoring, suspend or revoke licensure, or otherwise discipline physicians.”
The report fails to mention it because it is more either/or logical fallacy based on the false dichotomy between “treatment” and “punishment” that is often used to promote the FSPHP mythology. Although PHPs do not have the legal authority to mandate, suspend or revoke a license they have the functional authority to do so. This is also dictated by public policy. (ASAM Policy on Coordination Between Treatment Providers, Professionals Health Programs, and Regulatory Agencies).
Legitimate authority articulates ethical, evidence-based, or internally consistent arguments when challenged. Legitimate authority does not simply delegitimize one’s opponent and use logical fallacy and obfuscation to avoid addressing the substance of an argument. In her rebuttal Gunderson claims the NC Audit was favorable to them because no evidence of abuse was found. This is akin to a serial killer claiming victory because no bodies were found in his dungeon replete with torture devices and restraints. State auditor Beth Wood set this straight when she told the BMJ in Physician Health Programs Under Fire that the holes were big enough in the program “you could drive a truck through them” and it would be “difficult, if not impossible, to defend” oneself against an incorrect assessment” as no ability to “appeal a diagnosis or assessment” existed.
“Compounding the problem, said Wood, was that “the chief executive and medical director were in total control of entire process.” They assessed allegedly impaired doctors, but when those assessments were contested, they were responsible for presenting complaints to the state medical board. The doctors concerned were not allowed to be present and were not allowed to see the programs’ medical reports on them.”
Multiple Barriers Removing Accountability at Multiple Levels
The inability to obtain one’s own medical records or lab reports is the first obstacle one must overcome. The second barrier is that even if documents are obtained there is no one to give them to. The third is the existence of “point people” who deflect, block and otherwise dismiss valid complaints. The only oversight provided to the involved labs is an an accreditation agency, the College of American Pathologists (CAP) They can investigate and correct but do not have the ability to sanction.
Of the many hundreds of doctors I have spoken to and who have taken my survey not one has been able to obtain evidence of abuse. It was either refused, censored or doctored. I have obtained documentary evidence that is specific, detailed and unequivocal.
It is therefore critical it be recognized for what it shows and it is morally imperative that those involved be held to account as the documents illustrate clearly and undeniably a collusion between a state PHP and its drug testing lab to fabricate evidence. The corruption is top-down as it involves another former FSPHP President Luis Sanchez and the VP of Laboratory operations at USDTL Joseph Jones. As explicit and detailed as it is in revealing unequivocal black and white crimes it has been ignored by the usual channels.
Research on street criminals suggests the certainty of punishment has the strongest deterrent effect (basically will I be caught) and the more people think they will be arrested for a crime the less likely they are to commit it. Criminals weigh their actions against possible gains and consequences and the risk of consequences in this system have been essentially zero. Diagnosis rigging, coercion, threats and abuse are rampant because they have no fear of punishment. The Chairman of the commission that examined the causes of the 2008 financial collapse compared the relatively small fines paid by corporations to “someone who robs a 7-Eleven, takes $1,000 and being able to settle for $25 and no admission of wrongdoing.” He added,“Will they do it again? Absolutely, because it pays.” This is like someone who robs a 7-Eleven, takes $1,000 and never gets caught so he goes to the next 7-Eleven and takes $2000 then hits as many 7-Elevens as he can for as much as he can. There is zero-accountability. No fines. No repercussions. No risk. What has happened is not only logical but inevitable. It is time to name the enemy. The enemy is not state physician health programs (PHPs) but those in charge of them. The Federation of State Physician Health Programs (FSPHP) is a heretofore unexamined authority. Current evidence is revealing the FSPHP is also an irrational authority. It is also quite easy to show by historical documentation of the policy and practice they have pushed that they are an illegitimate authority. Illegitimate authority when identified and recognized needs to be removed.
Nosce te ipsum. Nosce inimicum tuum. Know thyself, know thy enemy. The FSPHP is the enemy. They cannot be bargained with. They need to be removed. In the interim we need to set up advocacy and watchdog groups to help and protect those already caught in this web of manipulation, oppression and fear. Wake up, Stand up and Speak up. Silence is consent. Let’s drain this swamp in 2017.
Reblogged on WordPress.com
In the past year we have made some tremendous gains. Pauline Anderson’s Physician Health Programs: More Harm Than Good? opened the door to exposing the financial exploitation and abuse of doctors by PHPs and their preferred drug and alcohol testing and treatment facilities. This was the first mainstream medical new article to address the problems with PHPs. They have no oversight or accountability. The FSPHP rebuttal to Medscape Medical News was dismissive and did not meaningfully answer any of the specific concerns. Logical fallacy and half-truths were presented but the direct and substantive questions remain unanswered. Ever siince BMJ Editor Jeanne Lenzer’s “Physician health programs under fire” was published in the BMJ there has been nothing but silence.
In the past year we have made some tremendous gains. Pauline Anderson’s Physician Health Programs: More Harm Than Good? opened the door to exposing the financial exploitation and abuse of doctors by PHPs and their preferred drug and alcohol testing and treatment facilities. This was the first mainstream medical new article to address the problems with PHPs. They have no oversight or accountability. The FSPHP rebuttal to Medscape Medical News was dismissive and did not meaningfully answer any of the specific concerns. Logical fallacy and half-truths were presented but the direct and substantive questions remain unanswered. After BMJ Editor Jeanne Lenzer’s “Physician health programs under fire” was published in the BMJ there has been nothing but silence. They cannot defend the indefensible. Silence is not an option. Rats cornered.
Please donate here: https://www.gofundme.com/PHPReform
There is a very urgent need for a “counterpower” to state physician health programs (PHPs). On average five or six medical students, doctors or residents contact me each week. They are usually afraid and many do not trust anyone in the system after what they have been through. They have lost their locus of control. Many feel hopeless, helpless and defeated. I have recieved many wonderful letters thanking me for this blog and giving them support and guidance in maneuvering this system. I want to be able to continue to do so and hope I can rely on your donation.
In terms of reform it is critical to create some type of due process or redress for putative impaired medical students (as well as physicians) who are the objects of state PHP therapeutic interventions. Currently there is no counterpower to PHP control. No outside agency exists that…
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As no checks and balances exist I am offering 25K in prizes and now adding a 1964 45″ signed by the Rolling Stones; Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Brian Jones, Bill Wyman and Charlie Watts. One of the problems in this system cognitive dissonance and the belief that there must be something more to it. There isn’t. Fact is I could offer you my car, everything I own or my very soul and you would still not be able to disprove that Sanchez committed multiple felonies, that Stoller not only covered it all up but was complicit and that Bertram is engaging in a cover-up of a cover-up by misusing administrative law and is in violation of the rules of professional conduct and basic ethics and morality. So here’s the ticket. Either come get the prizes or help me get this exposed and dismantled. Either defend them or help me hold them accountable. Silence is not an option.
It has now been almost two months since I offered over $25 thousand dollars in cool prizes to the first person to disprove past president of the Federations of State Physician Health Programs and Medical Director of Physician Health Services, inc. Dr. Luis “the dirty” Sanchez did not commit multiple felonies. (December 9, 2016) and as far as I know no one has been knocking at my door. All of these prizes can be seen in the post below:
Perhaps the booty isn’t good enough so I am adding a 1964 Decca 7″ 45 RPM original pressing of Little Red Rooster (A) and Off the Hook (B) on vinyl signed by Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Brian Jones, Bill Wyman and Charlie Watts. This is in addition to the over 25 K of other prizes previously offered. All you gotta do is show that Sanchez did not commit fewer than three felonies. Simple enough?
Dr. Sanchez machinations and misconduct can be seen here. It took a formal complaint with the College of American Pathologists to get the truth out. More of this fiasco can be seen here and here. What Sanchez and his co-conspirators did is egregious and ethically reprehensible. It shows a complete lack of moral compass and personal integrity. What was done from collection to report to coverup and everything in-between is in fact indefensible on all levels (procedurally, ethically, and legally). So too are the actions of Board attorney Deb Stoller (who not only covered it up forensic fraud but was complicit in it) and those of Assistant Attorney General Bryan Bertram (who is continuing to participate in a cover-up of a cover-up) in violation of ethics and professional conduct. In a perfect society Sanchez would have his medical license revoked and the other two would have been disbarred by now. In a perfect society all three would be held accountable for crimes. Does Bertram’s superiors know what he is doing? I don’t think so. They will at some point.
I think everyone would agree that there should be zero-tolerance for forensic fraud and cover-up and cover-ups of cover-ups in positions of power. Any person of honor and civility would agree. The documentary evidence shows with clarity that this subterfuge and chicanery was not accident or oversight. It was intentional and purposeful misconduct. It is indefensible. Attorneys cannot ignore the obvious.
Transparency, regulation, and accountability are necessary for these groups.
To be fair if Sanchez can give any procedural, ethical, or legal explanation for his actions then I stand corrected. Same applies to his apologists, lackeys and morally challenged counterparts Stoller and Bertram. Just one will suffice. I’ll erase my blog and vanish into oblivion. No questions asked. Into the woodwork. But If this trio cannot then this malfeasance needs to be addressed openly and publicly. It is their agencies responsibility to correct this –however late the hour may be. My suspicion is that all of this has been blocked from going upstream.
Forensic fraud has grave and far reaching effects and in this case has severely impacted many people and includes patient deaths. Perhaps this trio needs to take a “moral inventory” and see that this this type of behavior causes real damage to real people and put a faces on it. The increasing comments on Pauline Anderson’s latest Medscape article would be a start.
Perhaps Sanchez, Stoller and Bertram need to be asked these questions by an investigative reporter. Direct and simple questions deserve direct and simple answers. “Not my department” and “no comment” are no longer acceptable. We need to demand answers.
It is people just like this who are killing physicians across the country. The body count is vast and multiple. This type of behavior is directly and temporally related to the recent epidemic of suicides in doctors. They have removed themselves from conventional accountability by withholding information and suppressing facts. No longer. The sympathizers and apologists who refuse to acknowledge or investigate wrongdoing will be held to account. Sanchez, Stoller and Bertram believe they are beyond reproach; complacent in the belief they are protected from harm and insulated from investigation. The evidence, however, is not going away. Neither am I. Neither are the growing legion of ethical individuals who want to drain this swamp.
Corruption is misuse of entrusted power. It occurs when those who have been given authority to carry out expected goals instead use their position and power to benefit themselves and others close to them. Abuse of power is particularly egregious when that person is doing the opposite of what he or she is supposed to do.
Accountability is necessary to prevent corruption and necessitates both the provision of information and justification for actions; what was done and why? The other defining factor of accountability is the ability of outside actors to punish and sanction those who commit misconduct or wrongdoing. Without these constraints corruption is inevitable.
This is corruption plain and simple and The doctors and patients of Massachusetts and the doctors and patients of this entire country deserve better than this.
As no checks and balances exist I am offering 25K in prizes and now adding a 1964 45″ signed by the Rolling Stones; Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Brian Jones, Bill Wyman and Charlie Watts. One of the problems in this system cognitive dissonance and the belief that there must be something more to it. There isn’t. Fact is I could offer you my car, everything I own or my very soul and you would still not be able to disprove that Sanchez committed multiple felonies, that Stoller not only covered it all up but was complicit and that Bertram is engaging in a cover-up of a cover-up by misusing administrative law and is in violation of the rules of professional conduct and basic ethics and morality. So here’s the ticket. Either come get the prizes or help me get this exposed and dismantled. Either defend them or help me hold them accountable. Silence is not an option.
Disrupted Physician 