Physician Health Services

Luis Sanchez, M.D., Director

1-781-434-7404 or 1-800-322-2303, ext. 7404

Physicians and medical students are not immune from health problems. Indeed, one physician out of 10 will face a life-threatening illness during his or her career. Among the threats to physician and medical student health are substance use disorders, mental, behavioral, and medical problems. Without proper treatment, these conditions can jeopardize health and well-being, disrupt families, and ruin careers. Many medical students who have concerns about these problems feel inhibited from seeking help from the Harvard University Health Services, even though HUHS is completely confidential and separate from the administration of the Medical School.

The Massachusetts Medical Society has established the Physician Health Services (PHS) to help physicians and medical students with these issues. PHS is a nonprofit outreach, support, and monitoring program that treats all referrals in a compassionate and confidential manner. Participation in the program is voluntary.

HMS students who have had health-related problems have found PHS to be a successful approach to recovery from substances and for resolving other health concerns that aids in keeping their medical career on track. Any student who has a concern about drug or alcohol use, a behavioral health concern, or a mental or physical illness should feel free to talk to his or her physician at the Harvard University Health Services or call Dr. Sanchez at PHS.