The Federation of State Physician Health Programs (FSPHP) proudly congratulates the Georgia Professional Health Program on the successful completion of its FSPHP PEER™ on May 27, 2026.
We applaud the decision of the Georgia Professional Health Program to participate in this important process. The PEER™ is a structured review process designed to empower Physician Health Programs (PHPs) and other safety-sensitive professional health programs to use the FSPHP PHP Guidelines as a practical tool for identifying opportunities to optimize performance and effectiveness in alignment with best practices among PHPs. It utilizes a comprehensive set of PEER™ assessment criteria, metrics, and assessment method specifications that align with the FSPHP Physician Health Program Guidelines developed through a robust consensus-building process utilizing a diverse group of subject-matter experts.
The Georgia Professional Health Program is honored to have successfully completed the FSPHP PEER™ review, a process to evaluate our work through the lens of national best practices. The PEER™ process reinforces our dedication to safe, ethical, and effective physician health services. The feedback we received is helping us refine our practices and ensure we remain a trusted resource for clinicians seeking confidential support. This achievement reflects our ongoing commitment to the well-being of the medical workforce and the patients they serve.
Robin McCown, CEO and Executive Director, Georgia Professional Health Program
Through a comprehensive set of assessment criteria and metrics, the PEER™ review offers feedback to support continuous growth, rather than a formal accreditation or evaluation.
What makes PEER™ unique is that it is designed specifically for PHPs and informed by the expertise of peers who understand the complexities of this work. The process recognizes excellence, encourages innovation, and helps programs strengthen their impact while honoring the unique needs of the physicians and healthcare professionals they support.
Dr. Edwin Kim, President, FSPHP
At a time when physician well-being is under unprecedented strain, the need for specialized, high-quality, confidential PHPs that address mental health conditions, including substance use disorders, has never been more critical. This makes the achievement of the Georgia Professional Health Program especially meaningful.
By participating in the PEER™ program, PHPs are using the FSPHP PHP Guidelines to strengthen accountability, consistency, and excellence while identifying opportunities to improve the program. The review process offers an opportunity for the program to identify resource needs to support current and anticipated levels of service, thereby improving the ability of the program to contribute to workforce health and preservation to the benefit of the profession and the public served. This commitment to continuous evaluation and improvement helps support the long-term viability of these programs and the well-being of the participants they ultimately serve.
Participating programs reported that the PEER™ experience was a turning point in strengthening the credibility of clinical decisions, supporting approval of key policies and procedures, and affirming program progress made to date. They also emphasized that the PEER™ process helped clarify operational and resource needs, enhance relationships with regulatory and other stakeholders, and provide a clear roadmap for continued program improvement, with surveyors described as professional and the process strongly recommended to other PHPs.
Thanks to a grant from The Physicians Foundation, PHPs can benefit from a discount when participating in the PEER™ for a limited time.
For more information about the Georgia Professional Health Program or to learn how the Georgia Professional Health Program is advancing physician wellness, visit the Georgia Professional Health Program’s website at www.gaphp.org or contact Robin F. McCown at [email protected].
To learn more about FSPHP-PEER™, to purchase the criteria and metrics, and/or participate: https://www.fsphp.org/peer-program
About FSPHP: The FSPHP evolved over 35 years ago from initiatives taken by the American Medical Association, the Federation of State Medical Boards, and state medical societies. PHPs serve as a safe, confidential resource for the profession, focusing on outreach, education, and health monitoring for physicians and healthcare professionals at risk for impairment. Today, nearly every state has developed a PHP that operates within the parameters of state regulation and legislation.
The FSPHP is a non-profit 501 (c)(3) professional membership association with elected officers and an elected Board of Directors. FSPHP has the largest membership in history with 49 State Physician Health Program Members, and 337 total members of the association. More information about FSPHP can be found here: www.fsphp.org.
Linda Bresnahan
Federation of State Physician Health Programs
978-347-0600
[email protected]