In Focus

“For over 40 years the PA PHP has been a confidential resource that serves physicians and residents, medical students, physician assistants, podiatrists, dentists, veterinarians, and pharmacists and pharmacy students suffering from potentially impairing conditions like addiction or psychiatric concerns. We conduct evaluations, refer for treatment, and provide continued monitoring for this very special group of health care professionals. It is always our goal to help each individual achieve and maintain sobriety and wellness so that they may return to their work and their loved ones.” Raymond C. Truex Jr., MD, FACS, FAANS, Medical Director

In-Focus Stories

Laura Ann Delliquadri, PA-C

In recovery since 2007

When Laura was first introduced to the PA PHP she didn’t think she needed the services, that she could manage things on her own. A second DUI and the thought of losing her license to practice medicine as a physician assistant nudged her to realize she wasn’t going to be able to recover on her own.

Over time Laura, a physician assistant practicing in Murrysville, Pennsylvania, realized that there must be a better way, that she needed the program, and that the PA PHP team was there to help and support her as she worked towards wellness and recovery. She notes that as time went on, the PA PHP was not only part of her recovery, but of her life.

Laura states, “I would tell anyone considering entering the program to not be afraid to put aside that pride and that shame and just go with it. It's a benefit no matter how you look at it. Nothing bad can happen. I would say that you don't ever have to feel that way again. You never have to wake up that way again. Take the help, do what's asked of you, trust in the process. The benefits far outweigh the work that is put into it. And you'll get back tenfold the benefits compared to the work. Grab onto it like your life depends upon it because I think it does.”

Today Laura can look at life with a new perspective. “I have the ability to find peace and joy in every single day,” she says, “even if I can't find it in every single minute of every single day. I can accept things as they are. A lot of times I could not do that before and it caused a lot of anxiety and a lot of resentments. Today I have what they would say, serenity, and that's a gift. That's a gift of this program and what the PA PHP helps me do.”

Daniel Perry Schecter D.M.D.

In recovery since 2014 PA_Med_Schecter_1[1]

Daniel, a dentist now practicing Dubois, Pennsylvania, says that his life before he came to the PA PHP had, “Come to the point where it was just completely unmanageable and out of control. My addiction was just devastating, both physically, mentally, spiritually. Every facet of my life was being governed and ruined by my addiction. So basically I felt that I had about six months left to live if I didn't, by the grace of God end up in rehab. “

While the devastating consequences of his addiction brought Daniel to the PA PHP, he credits the ongoing monitoring for helping him continue the path towards sustained wellness and recovery.

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Daniel notes that as a medical professional, if you have a need for the PA PHP, “You really don't have a choice. If you're even considering coming into the PA PHP, you need the PHP. And if you don't want to do it for yourself and your professional life and license, you owe it to your loved ones. Do it before you lose it. There's a lot of ego that runs around the healthcare profession and a lot of entitlement and some of it's great and it keeps us sharp, but then we start to think that we're our own gods or our own bosses, our own doctors. I would plead with that person thinking about reaching out to the PA PHP to do it to save your life.”

Chris Woodward, D.O.

In recovery since 2016 PA_Med_Woodward_1[1]

“Recovery has allowed me to do a lot of things that I couldn't possibly have done when I was drinking,” Chris, an internal medicine specialist in Reading, Pennsylvania, says. "I'm involved in some independent film projects. I've rediscovered a love for skiing and skiing with my kids, running for a minor elected office in our township to be a public servant. Things that never would've happened before, but more importantly, I understand that my life is really amazing. I mean, it's so much better than it was. And I heard many people early on in recovery tell me that your life would be beyond your wildest dreams. I was skeptical about that. I wasn't sure I believed it, but it's true because I did what I was told to do and followed the program.”

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Chris states that before his entry into the PA PHP program, “There wasn't a whole lot of hope. I wanted to move. I wanted to get a different job, just everything but stopping drinking to solve my problems. And now by doing what I do every day to treat my disease, I have a life beyond my wildest dreams. I can do things that I couldn't do before.”

Chris feels that the PA PHP is a buffer between the State Licensing Board and participants working towards achieving and maintaining sobriety. “The PA PHP is a organization between myself and the Board of Medicine. In the past, if you went to the Board of Medicine and said you had a problem with alcohol, you lost your license, it was suspended. The PA PHP has allowed me to continue to practice and get treatment. The PA PHP has been amazingly supportive.”