John C. Wolfe, MD
1942–2013
John Wolfe was one of our most highly esteemed associate directors at PHS — and for good reason. He embodied and constantly delivered on the values and mission of PHS. He served the physicians who turned to us for help with dignity, compassion, and respect. In his quiet and unassuming manner, he relentlessly and patiently helped physicians who were feeling disquieted and derailed to feel at ease and offered support and encouragement to help get them back on track and on a pathway to recovery.
One of our most senior associate directors, Dr. Judith Eaton, expressed it best, “He brought to his job his very solid sobriety and serenity as well as knowledge of how real medicine was practiced in the community.
He was kind and patient, sticking with some of the most troubled and reluctant clients. He sincerely cared about each and every one. Even during his three winter months in Puerto Rico he was available to PHS and to his clients by phone. He tirelessly co-chaired the first and third Wednesday support groups and showed the group how to handle life with dignity. He weathered staff storms and was usually the main voice of sanity and reason among us. I know I am not alone in stating that I loved John and I will miss him terribly.”
Dr. Eaton’s tribute is an accurate and fitting one. We are for the better as a program because of the ways John dedicated himself to PHS and the commitment to serve and restore the physicians who turn to PHS for assistance. I am confident that I speak for all of us in saying that the Medical Society and Physician Health Services greatly benefited by the time John spent with us. He will be very missed.
Edward J. Khantzian, MD
President and Chair of the Board of Directors, Physician Health Services
Words About John
“It is a rare thing to know a man who is kind, wise, and dedicated to helping physicians in desperate need. John Wolfe was such a man. He has touched innumerable men and women in the healing professions. I am so sad that he is gone. He was a wonderful man.”
“Dr. Wolfe was my PHS associate director since I started coming five years ago. He was such a kind man — so genuine and humble, quietly compassionate. I wish I had gotten to know him better, more personally. I will miss him very much.”
“John Wolfe was instrumental in my early recovery. I first met Dr. Wolfe a few years ago when I turned to PHS in trouble. From the beginning, I knew he had something I wanted. From the beginning, he assured me that I have a disease for which there is no cure, but to which there is a solution. I believed him because he told me he was in recovery, too. I was impressed that he made time for me and other struggling physicians while remaining devoted to his patients and family. He calmly but confidently introduced me to the spiritual principles of recovery before I ever attended treatment or a 12-step meeting. I looked forward to driving up to meet him in Gloucester every month because I knew that we’d talk about our experiences with recovery. Dr. Wolfe practiced the principle of the program in all his affairs. He was like a second sponsor — no matter what my mood, he was always positive and upbeat. I will miss him.”
