The Medical Board of Johns Hopkins Hospital established the Professional Assistance Committee to assist physicians with physical handicaps, alcohol or drug problems, or mental and emotional difficulties that may affect skill and judgement.

      The PAC works to facilitate the well-being and rehabilitation of distressed or impaired physicians as an alternative to discipline or dismissal. The Committee encourages self-referrals from the Johns Hopkins physician commun ity, and act as an advocate for physicians who follow its policies and recommendations.

Medicine today is fast-paced, highly technical, and extremely demanding on the mental, emotional, and physical resources of physicians. Patients, colleagues, administrators, and family members have high expectations.

      Despite their apparent ability to meet these demands and expectations, physicians experience personal problems just like anyone else. Relationship difficulties, the death of loved ones, concerns about drug or alcohol, legal or financial issues, and professional uncertainty in our competitive academic environment are experiences by many physicians.

• Stress
• Anxiety and depression
• Alcohol and substance abuse
• Physical illness or handicaps
• Career difficulties
• Family problems

All full- and part-time physicians affiliated with the Johns Hopkins Hospital, including residents and fellows, are eligible to use the Committee's service.

The PAC treats each case with utmost confidentiality in keeping with policies and procedures developed in conjunction with the Staff Conference Committee.

You may reach the PAC by calling 410-955-9222. Your inquiry or report will be referred to a member of the Committee for action. You also can feel free to contact the individual members of the committee. Reports of physicians with potential problems wil l be pursued with the greatest concern for all parties involved, including the individual family members, colleagues, and patients.

The Professional Assistance Committee has the following charge from the Medical Board:

• Develop and disseminate written policies and procedures designed to assist staff in dealing with physical and / or behavioral impairment that may affect a staff member's skill, attitude, or judgement.


 Such policies must receive administrative approval and approval by the Medical Board
 
 

• Develop approaches for assessment and treatment of staff members with physical or behavioral impairments, When appropriate, the resources and experience of the Faculty and Staff Assistance Program may be employed.

 

 

• Establish and maintain such liaisons as are necessary to assist in accomplishing the Committee's duties.

 

 

• Develop, through training and education of medical staff members, an awareness of conditions that may lead to impairment.

 

 

• Report and make recommendations to the Administrative Committee of the Medical Board.

• Stephen C. Achuff, M.D.

Medicine
 
 
• Benjamin S. Carson, Sr., M.D.

Neurosurgery
 
 
• Vincent L. Gott, M.D.

Cardiac Surgery
 
 
• Anne M. Murphy, M.D.

Pediatrics
 
 
• Leslie Plotnock, M.D.

Pediatrics
 
 
• Peter B. Terry, M.D.

Medicine
 
 
• Kathleen O. Beauchesne, Ph.D.

Director, Faculty and Staff Assistance Program
(ex officio)
 
 
• Michael C. Heitt, Psy.D.

Faculty and Staff Assistance Program
(ex officio)
 
 
• Everett R. Siegel, M.D.

Psychiatry
(ex officio)