PHYSICIAN ADVOCACY

Committee for Physician Health

The Physician Health Program for New York State The Committee for Physician Health, founded in 1974, is a division of the Medical Society of the State of New York. CPH provides non-disciplinary, confidential assistance to physicians, residents, medical students, and physician’s assistants experiencing problems from stress and difficult adjustment, emotional, substance abuse and other psychiatric disorders, including psychiatric problems that may arise as a result of medical illness.

CPH provides support and referrals to those participating in the program, but also to those calling in with concerns about physicians including healthcare coworkers, colleagues, and family members. We recommend evaluation, treatment and/or other assistance to our participants, and monitor for progress in recovery from illness. In this way, we can also provide strong advocacy on behalf of the participant to continue their practice as a physician or physician-in-training.

We provide education to the medical community as well as other communities on recognition of stress, burnout and illness in physicians, options for prevention or reduction and outreach to physician groups on our services. Importantly, we instill hope in the lives of our clients, that recognition and treatment for stress and illness is desirable, helpful, and can route the person back to optimum health as an individual and as a physician.

CPH MISSION STATEMENT

The mission of the Committee for Physician Health is to promote quality medical care by offering non-disciplinary confidential assistance to physicians, residents, medical students and physician assistants suffering from substance use disorder and other psychiatric disorders. The Committee monitors the treatment and compliance of program participants and provides advocacy and support as well as outreach activities, including prevention and education.

COMMITTEE FOR PHYSICIAN HEALTH VALUES STATEMENT
As we carry out the mission and pursue the vision of CPH, we will…

  • Instill hope in the lives of our clients.
  • Communicate to affirm and improve performance.
  • Take pride in our work as we continuously enhance our quality.
  • Create a team environment which fosters professional empowerment
  • Encourage creativity by first asking how can we improve CPH systems.
  • Actively listen to others and demonstrate respect for their contributions.
PROFESSIONAL STAFF

The Committee for Physician Health was founded to help physicians affected by substance abuse, addiction, mental health problems, and cognitive disorders. Early in the course of these diseases, physicians exhibit problems with family and friends or face other interpersonal difficulties. As the disease progresses, the physician’s ability to practice medicine is impaired.

Terrance M. Bedient, FACHE
Vice President/Director
(518) 694-0002

Jeffrey Selzer, MD
Medical Director
(518) 694-0007

Grace Smythe-Young, CASAC
Assistant Director
(518)694-0011

Dinah Hicks, CASAC-2
Assistant Director
(518) 694-0012

Vanessa Griesmer, CASAC-2
Assistant Director
(518) 694-0008

Karen Clancy, MA, CASAC
Assistant Director
(518) 694-0005

Susan Hill, MA, LMHC, CASAC
Assistant Director
(518) 694-0003

Janice Catuccio
Confidential Executive Assistant
(518) 694-0010

Toni Maki
Administrative Assistant
(518) 694-0009

Monica Cook
Administrative Assistant
(518) 694-0017

PROFILE OF PROFESSIONAL STAFF
Terrance M. Bedient, FACHE

Vice President of MSSNY and Director of the Committee for Physician Health since 1997. Mr. Bedient’s medical administration career began as an Army officer followed by appointment as Assistant Administrator and Risk Manager at Beekman Downtown Hospital in Manhattan. He then served as Vice President for Professional Services at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital in Pontiac, Michigan. From 1984-1996, Mr. Bedient served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Myers Community Hospital near Rochester, New York. He has served as a Board Member of numerous healthcare organizations including the Hospital Association of New York State (HANYS), Rochester Regional Hospital Association, Genesee Region Home Care, Fairlawn Children’s Hospital, and the Metropolitan Health Administrators Association. He was appointed by New York Chief Judge Judith Kaye as a charter Board member of the Lawyers Assistance Trust which oversees statewide substance abuse programs for attorneys and judges. He currently serves on the Board of the Federation of State Physician Health Programs, and as a Class A Trustee and Treasurer of the General Service Board in New York City. Mr. Bedient is a graduate of the Post Masters Program in Healthcare Administration of the George Washington University in Washington, D.C. He is a Fellow of theAmerican College of Healthcare Executives.

Jeffrey Selzer, MD

Dr. Selzer has been the Medical Director of the Committee for Physician Health since 2008. Dr. Selzer graduated from the University of Michigan Medical School. He then completed an internship in pediatrics at Los Angeles Children’s Hospital, followed by a residency in psychiatry at the University of California at Los Angeles. His clinical and administrative work began at Long Island Jewish Medical Center and continued in the North Shore-Long Island Jewish Health System and Northwell Health. His clinical and administrative roles have included Director of Addiction Treatment Services, Medical Director of the Zucker Hillside Hospital, and Director of Physician’s Resource Network, a confidential counseling service for members of the Northwell medical staff. His research experience has included being a member of the Executive Committee of the NIDA Clinical Trials Network (CTN) and the Chair of CTN’s Research Utilization Committee. His work for professional medical organizations has included serving as Chair of the Public Policy Committee, Secretary for the American Society of Addiction Medicine, and Chair of the Addiction Psychiatry Committee for the New York State Psychiatric Association.   Dr. Selzer is a Distinguished Fellow of the American Society of Addiction Medicine and a Distinguished Life Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association. He is an Associate Professor of Psychiatry at the Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell and the Albert Einstein College of Medicine. He is board-certified in psychiatry and addiction medicine.

Grace Smythe-Young, CASAC

Grace Smythe-Young has over 35 years in the field of addiction with experience in both outpatient and residential.  Specialties include working with the criminal justice population, those with mental health disorders, and family counseling.  She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from the former Russell Sage College, now Sage Colleges.  She is credentialed by New York State as an alcoholism and substance abuse counselor.

 

Dinah Hicks, CASAC-2

Dinah has over 20 years of experience in the field of human services, specifically working with substance use disorders and individuals with mental illness. She has a background in working with individuals from the criminal justice population by utilizing motivational interviewing. Dinah also has extensive experience treating those with opiate use disorders. Dinah has worked in many levels of care from outpatient substance abuse facilities, medically managed detoxes and 28day inpatient rehabs throughout the Capital Region. She is credentialed by the New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports as a Credentialed Alcohol and Substance Abuse Counselor.

 

Karen Clancy, MA, CASAC

Assistant Director for the Committee for Physician Health; graduated with a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a master’s degree in social policy from Empire State College/SUNYA. Currently certified as an addiction and substance abuse counselor with additional training in acupuncture for detoxification. Previous work experience in the health care field and more than a decade working in both inpatient and long term residential settings. Areas of special interest include; exploring the role of spirituality in recovery, working with the underserved as well as those infected and impacted by HIV/AIDS.

 

Susan A. Hill MA, LMHC, CASAC

Assistant Director for the Committee for Physician Health; Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Pace University, Westchester; Masters Degree in Chemical Dependency Counseling from Sage Graduate School in Albany, NY; Certified Alcohol Substance Abuse Counselor (CASAC) in New York State; Licensed Mental Health Counselor in New York State; Member of the American Mental Health Counselors Association and the New York State Mental Health Counselors Association: Board member of the Association of the Addiction Professionals of New York (AAPNY) And member of the National Association of Addiction Counselors (NADDAC); NY State OASAS certified DMV Evaluator/Provider.  Specialties include substance abuse and dependence; mental health disorders; as well as family, adolescent and adult therapy.

Vanessa Griesmer, CASAC-2
Assistant Director

Vanessa has been in the behavioral health field since 2011. She earned an Associate Degree in Chemical Dependency Counseling and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology. As a behavioral health counselor, her experience has included both inpatient and ambulatory detox services, inpatient rehab, and intensive outpatient rehab. This has provided her with a well-rounded understanding of addiction and the recovery process, as well as experience in working with a multitude of mental health diagnoses. Areas of interest include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Medication Management, and Art Therapy.

DONATIONS

HOW TO MAKE A DONATION

MSSNY maintains a foundation through which individuals may make a charitable donation to the Committee for Physician Health. Donations are tax deductible and can be made by anyone interested in helping to contribute to the mission of CPH.

Terrance Bedient, CHE is available to discuss any questions you have related to your contribution to CPH. Call (518) 436-4723 or in New York State (800) 338-1833.

Download the CPH donation form

CPH will promptly respond in acknowledgement to your contribution.

Thank you for your contribution supporting the health of physicians, physician assistants, residents and medical students in New York State.

FORMS
Medications Containing Alcohol MS Word PDF
Consent Form MS Word PDF
Monitor Information MS Word PDF
Quarterly Monitor Report – Treatment MS Word PDF
Quarterly Monitor Report – Worksite MS Word PDF
Quarterly Monitor Report – Urine (2022) MS Word PDF
Quarterly Monitor Report – Urine (2023) MS Word PDF
Quarterly Monitor Report – Urine (2024) MS Word PDF
Self-Help Meeting Log MS Word PDF
Urine Monitor Procedure MS Word PDF
Alcohol Retained in Cooked Food MS Word PDF
USEFUL LINKS

CPH provides information and/or links regarding recovery resources which may be helpful to participants. Information is provided as a public service and CPH and is not responsible for the content of other web sites. The presence of a link is not a CPH endorsement of the organization or its services.