Our
staff expertly handles the diverse array of tasks required to keep the program
developing and operating on a day-to-day basis while offering the best possible
service and assistance to physicians. Physician Health Services is proud to
introduce a professional, experienced, and dedicated staff. Special
acknowledgement is in order this year for Deborah Brennan, Linda Bresnahan, and
Jessica Vautour, who all celebrated 20-year anniversaries working with PHS
and/or the Massachusetts Medical Society.
Linda R. Bresnahan
Director
of Program Operations
Linda
R. Bresnahan is responsible for the daily operations of PHS. She establishes
and manages all administrative, educational, and operational activities. She
coordinates PHS’s governance meetings and committee activities, and she
oversees information technology and the procedures necessary to support
physician case management. Ms. Bresnahan received her bachelor’s degree in
economics with a concentration in management information systems from Boston
College and her master of science in health care management from Lesley College.
She has worked in physician health for more than 20 years. Ms. Bresnahan also
contributes nationally to the work of physician health, serving as a board of
directors’ officer of the Federation of State Physician Health Programs.
Debra A. Grossbaum
General Counsel
Ms. Grossbaum oversees all legal
aspects of PHS, including issues of confidentiality, interpretation of relevant
regulations and statutes, and PHS contracts. She reviews all participant
contracts, negotiates vendor agreements, and works closely with the Board of
Registration in Medicine. She also represents PHS with respect to corporate
legal matters since PHS is a 501(c)(3) subsidiary corporation of the
Massachusetts Medical Society. Ms. Grossbaum chairs the Bylaws Committee of the
Federation of State Physician Health Programs, and she is a member of the
American Bar Association, the Massachusetts Bar Association, and the American
Society of Medical Association Counsel. Ms. Grossbaum is a graduate of Brown
University and the Boston University School of Law.
Jessica L. Vautour
Outreach and Education Manager
Ms. Vautour is responsible for the
supervision of administrative staff and oversees training for all
administrative activities. She is responsible for managing and implementing all
PHS outreach and educational programs. Ms. Vautour received her bachelor’s
degree in accounting from Bentley College and her master’s degree in management
from Cambridge College. She has an extensive background in health care
management and has been with the Massachusetts Medical Society for more than 20
years. Additionally, Ms. Vautour has been a member of the Massachusetts
Association of Medical Staff Services (MAMSS) for more than 13 years. She
currently serves on the MAMSS Board of Directors as part of the organization’s
leadership.
Deborah J. Brennan
Project Assistant and Transcriptionist
Ms.
Brennan handles all of the transcription for PHS. She also assists with other
projects and special events and provides administrative support and assistance
to PHS on a part-time basis. Ms. Brennan has an extensive background in health
care as an administrative assistant, having served the Massachusetts Medical
Society and PHS for more than 20 years.
Mary M. Howard
Monitoring Services Assistant
Ms.
Howard coordinates all monitoring service activities and quality management,
which consists of primary support for the random drug testing program, placing
random test calls, reviewing lab results, and tracking and maintaining reports
of positive results and prescribed medications. She also coordinates the
quarterly report process for monitors of PHS participants under contract and
for the Board of Registration in Medicine. Ms. Howard received her bachelor’s
degree in biology from Brown University. She has a background in bookkeeping
and data administration as well as health care and research.
Shari L. Mahan
Secretary
Ms.
Mahan provides administrative support and assistance to PHS, preparing
correspondence and coordinating special mailings and events. She also provides
support regarding expense reports, payment requests, and travel coordination. In
addition, Ms. Mahan oversees laboratory
billing and facilitates the PHS donation process. Ms. Mahan received her
bachelor’s degree in psychology from Oklahoma State University.
Deborah M. Canale
Client Services Assistant
Ms.
Canale monitors and maintains all client activity data, including the intake
data process, new contracts, monitor changes, and case transactions. She
provides administrative assistance for all documentation related to clients,
including coordinating requests for information from third parties, such as
compliance documentation and consent forms. Ms. Canale received her bachelor’s
degree in psychology from the University of Massachusetts at Lowell.
