NVPHP
Nevada Professionals Health Programs
Confidential (702) 562-1230
Confidential Support

When the professionals who protect Nevada need protection themselves

NVPHP provides confidential, non-punitive behavioral health support to physicians, pilots, attorneys, nurses, and other licensed professionals across the state.

Serving licensed professionals throughout Nevada — Las Vegas, Reno, and statewide

Independent private agency Safe harbor with NV medical boards All calls confidential Full-service HIMS provider Statewide services

Trusted Help for Healthcare Professionals

Learn about the role of Physician Health Programs from the Federation of State Physician Health Programs (FSPHP).

78%
of physicians in health programs
had no positive test over 5 years*
85%
HIMS pilot success rate
for sustained sobriety*
90%
of PHP participants receive
help without board involvement*

Find the support that fits your profession

Every profession has its own pressures, its own licensing concerns, and its own fears about asking for help.

*National Data. McLellan et al., BMJ 2008; HIMS Program Outcomes; WPHP Annual Report.

Our Mission

We envision a Nevada where the professionals who serve the public are supported as readily as they are held accountable — and where silence is never the safest option.

Our Vision

A professional community where wellness and public safety strengthen each other — because supporting the people who serve us is how we protect the people they serve.

How it works

The process is confidential, straightforward, and built around your needs.

1

You reach out

Call or email. Confidential. Anonymous if you prefer.

2

We assess together

A confidential meeting to understand your situation. No assumptions, no judgment.

3

We support your path

Treatment referral, monitoring, compliance documentation — tailored to your profession.

Your confidentiality is protected

NVPHP is an independent, private agency — not a licensing board, not a government entity, and not a disciplinary body. We maintain safe harbor agreements with Nevada's medical boards. The earlier you reach out, the more options you have.

Ready to take the first step?

Whether you're seeking help for yourself or concerned about a colleague — one call changes everything.

All calls are confidential. Anonymous inquiries welcome.

Physicians & Health Professionals

Physicians & Health Professionals

Confidential evaluations, treatment referral, monitoring, and support for physicians, physician assistants, medical students, interns, and residents in Nevada.

Independent private agency Safe harbor agreement All calls confidential FSPHP voting member Statewide services

Who We Serve

NVPHP supports a wide range of healthcare professionals across Nevada.

🩺
Allopathic Physicians
MD
🩺
Osteopathic Physicians
DO
🩼
Physician Assistants
🎓
Students, Interns & Residents
🦷
Dentists
💊
Pharmacists
🩺
Nurses
RN, LPN, APRN
🐾
Veterinarians

Conditions We Address

NVPHP assists physicians and other health professionals dealing with a wide range of challenges.

🛡️

Substance Use

Alcohol use or dependence
Drug use or prescription misuse
DUI or substance-related legal issues
Concerns about a colleague's use
🧠

Behavioral Health

Depression and anxiety
PTSD and trauma
Domestic or relationship crises
Suicidal ideation
🔥

Burnout & Professional Stress

Chronic occupational burnout
Compassion fatigue
Work-life imbalance
Career dissatisfaction
💡

Other Challenges

Cognitive or neurological concerns
Disruptive or boundary issues
Physical conditions affecting practice
Any circumstance impacting safe functioning

🔒 Safe Harbor — Your Confidentiality is Protected

NVPHP is an independent, private agency — not part of any licensing board. We maintain a formal safe harbor agreement with the Nevada medical boards. Physicians who come to us voluntarily can get help without their licensing board being notified, provided they remain compliant with program requirements.

Self-referral before a complaint is filed offers the strongest protections.

Nevada legal authority: NRS 630.336 and NAC 630.275.

The Evidence: Professional Health Programs Work

78%
had no positive test for alcohol or drugs during their entire five-year monitoring period
72%
were still licensed and practicing at the five-year follow-up

Source: McLellan AT, et al. BMJ. 2008;337:a2038

Frequently Asked Questions

NVPHP is an independent, private agency — not part of any licensing board. Under our safe harbor agreement, physicians who contact NVPHP voluntarily can participate confidentially, as long as they remain compliant with program requirements.

Each situation is different. In many cases, successful PHP completion is viewed favorably by hospitals and insurers.

Call (702) 562-1230 for a confidential referral. You don't need to give your name.

Yes. NVPHP serves medical students, interns, and residents.

Yes. NVPHP supports physicians across a wide spectrum — from severe impairment to early-stage burnout.

Monitoring timelines are tailored to each individual, but typically range from four to six months.

Completely different. NVPHP is an independent health program — not a licensing board, not a government agency, and not a disciplinary body.

Ready to Take the First Step?

Whether you're reaching out for yourself or a colleague — one call can change everything.

All calls are confidential. Anonymous inquiries welcome.

Aviation Professionals

Aviation / HIMS

Confidential substance abuse evaluations, treatment coordination, and FAA-compliant monitoring for pilots and aviation professionals in Nevada.

Full-service HIMS provider SAP evaluations FAA-compliant monitoring All calls confidential All types of pilots

What is HIMS?

The Human Intervention Motivation Study (HIMS) program is a structured pathway that allows pilots and other aviation professionals who have experienced substance use or behavioral health challenges to receive treatment, demonstrate sustained recovery, and return to safe flying under FAA oversight.

NVPHP is a full-service HIMS provider. We handle SAP evaluations, treatment referral and coordination, and the ongoing monitoring and compliance documentation required for FAA Special Issuance medical certification.

Who We Serve

✈️
Airline Pilots
🛩️
Corporate & Charter Pilots
🪂
Private Pilots
📡
Air Traffic Controllers
🧳
Flight Attendants
🔧
Other Aviation Professionals

Whether you fly for a major airline, a charter company, or yourself — NVPHP can help.

How the HIMS Process Works at NVPHP

1

Initial Contact

Call NVPHP at (702) 562-1230. All inquiries are confidential.

2

SAP Evaluation

Comprehensive Substance Abuse Professional evaluation meeting FAA standards.

3

Treatment Referral & Coordination

Appropriate treatment tailored to your situation and FAA requirements.

4

Early Recovery & Aftercare

Structured aftercare, peer support, and random drug and alcohol testing.

5

FAA Special Issuance Application

Documentation package assembled for submission through your HIMS AME.

6

Long-Term Monitoring

Ongoing monitoring, compliance documentation, and support for certificate renewal.

Confidentiality in Aviation

NVPHP is an independent, private agency — not the FAA, not your airline, and not your union. Self-referral gives you the most options and the best chance of a favorable outcome.

Frequently Asked Questions

A DUI triggers reporting requirements under 14 CFR 61.15. The FAA may defer or deny your medical certificate and require a HIMS evaluation. Contact NVPHP to get ahead of the process.

NVPHP is independent of your airline and union. If you self-refer before an incident, your contact with us is confidential.

Yes. NVPHP serves pilots at every level — airline, corporate, charter, and private.

The timeline varies, but expect a minimum of several months between initial evaluation and Special Issuance, with ongoing monitoring lasting years.

The FAA has a specific protocol for approved SSRIs. NVPHP can help you understand the requirements.

Yes. NVPHP provides SAP evaluations, treatment coordination, and monitoring for controllers.

Contact NVPHP directly at (702) 562-1230 to discuss fees.

Your Career Doesn't Have to End Here

Whether you're facing a DUI, a deferred medical, or a challenge you haven't told anyone about yet — NVPHP can help.

All calls are confidential. Anonymous inquiries welcome.

Legal Professionals

Attorneys

Confidential support for Nevada attorneys and judges facing substance use concerns, behavioral health challenges, or other issues affecting professional functioning.

Independent of the State Bar All calls confidential Attorneys and judges Evaluations and monitoring

Why NVPHP for Attorneys

The legal profession has among the highest rates of substance use and behavioral health challenges of any profession. NVPHP provides a confidential, independent path to support — separate from the State Bar and separate from any disciplinary process.

NVPHP is not the Nevada Lawyer Assistance Program (NLAP) and is not operated by the State Bar. For attorneys who want support outside the Bar's own programs, NVPHP provides an alternative.

Who We Serve

⚖️
Practicing Attorneys
🏛️
Judges
🎓
Law Students
📋
Paralegals & Legal Staff

Confidentiality for Attorneys

NVPHP is an independent, private agency — not the State Bar, not Bar Counsel, and not a disciplinary body. We do not report to the State Bar unless required by law or unless you ask us to.

The earlier you reach out, the more options you have.

Frequently Asked Questions

Not from us. NVPHP is independent of the State Bar. We do not notify the Bar when an attorney contacts us.

NLAP is administered through the State Bar. NVPHP is independent with no organizational connection to the Bar. The right choice depends on what feels safest to you.

Yes. Voluntary engagement with a professional health program is often viewed favorably by Bar Counsel and disciplinary panels.

Yes. We understand the particular visibility and sensitivity that comes with a position on the bench.

Yes. You don't need a diagnosis or a crisis to reach out. Many people we work with say they wish they'd called sooner.

Contact NVPHP directly at (702) 562-1230 to discuss fees.

You Don't Have to Handle This Alone

The same skills that make you a strong advocate for others can make it hard to ask for help yourself.

All calls are confidential. Anonymous inquiries welcome.

All Licensed Professionals

Other Professionals

NVPHP serves licensed professionals across Nevada — not just physicians and pilots. If your profession requires a license and your well-being is at stake, we can help.

Independent private agency All calls confidential Statewide services All licensed professions

Not Just Physicians. Not Just Pilots.

We serve any licensed professional in Nevada whose well-being — or whose ability to do their job safely — is being affected by a behavioral health challenge, substance use concern, or difficult life circumstance.

If you don't see your profession listed, call us anyway.

Professionals We Serve

🩺
Nurses
RN, LPN, APRN
🦷
Dentists
💊
Pharmacists
🫁
Respiratory Therapists
🩼
Physician Assistants
🧠
Psychologists
🧑‍⚕️
Chiropractors
🚑
EMS & Paramedics
🐾
Veterinarians

Don’t see your profession? If you hold a license in Nevada, call us anyway.

Confidentiality

NVPHP is an independent, private agency. We are not part of any licensing board. Your contact with us is confidential. We do not notify your employer or licensing board unless required by law or unless you ask us to.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. NVPHP serves nurses across all license levels — RN, LPN, and APRN.

Probably. If you hold a professional license in Nevada and are dealing with a behavioral health challenge, call us.

NVPHP is independent of all Nevada licensing boards. We do not report unless required by law or unless you request it.

Yes. You don't need a substance use problem or clinical diagnosis to reach out.

Call us. We can explain the process, conduct an evaluation, and coordinate treatment and monitoring documentation.

Contact NVPHP directly at (702) 562-1230 to discuss fees.

Whatever You're Facing, You Don't Have to Face It Alone

One call. Confidential. No judgment.

All calls are confidential. Anonymous inquiries welcome.

Wellness Resources

Resources

Curated research and evidence-based articles on topics relevant to the professionals we serve. All links lead to full-text, peer-reviewed publications.

Burnout

Changes in Burnout and Satisfaction With Work-Life Integration in Physicians and the General US Working Population Between 2011 and 2023

Shanafelt TD, West CP, Sinsky C, et al. — Mayo Clinic Proceedings, 2025

The definitive longitudinal study on physician burnout — tracks 12 years of national data across 7,643 physicians. Documents the trajectory from pre-pandemic through recovery and identifies persistent risk factors.

Read Full Article →

Patterns in Physician Burnout in a Stable-Linked Cohort

Ortega MV, Hidrue MK, Lehrhoff SR, et al. — JAMA Network Open, 2023

Mass General/Harvard study with over 90% response rate tracking burnout patterns by specialty over time. One of the most methodologically rigorous burnout studies ever conducted.

Read Full Article →

Substance Misuse Programs in Commercial Aviation

National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine — National Academies Press, 2023

Congressional-mandated review of the HIMS program for pilots. Covers pilot burnout, fatigue, substance use, and recommends updates to follow current best practices in treatment.

Read Full Article →

Sleep

Assessment of Physician Sleep and Wellness, Burnout, and Clinically Significant Medical Errors

Trockel MT, Menon NK, Rowe SG, et al. — JAMA Network Open, 2020

Landmark study linking physician sleep impairment directly to medical errors. Shows sleep-related impairment is independently associated with clinically significant errors even after adjusting for burnout.

Read Full Article →

Managing the Challenge of Fatigue for Pilots Operating Ultra-Long Range Flights

Signal TL, van den Berg MJ, Zaslona JL, et al. — Frontiers in Environmental Health, 2024

Evidence-based fatigue management strategies for pilots on ultra-long range routes. Examines sleep strategies, scheduling, and crew adjustments to mitigate fatigue-related safety risks.

Read Full Article →

The Role of Sleep Hygiene in Promoting Public Health: A Review of Empirical Evidence

Irish LA, Kline CE, Gunn HE, Buysse DJ, Hall MH — Sleep Medicine Reviews, 2015

The most-cited comprehensive review of sleep hygiene evidence from the top-ranked review journal in sleep science. Examines sleep hygiene as a first-line, widely accessible intervention.

Read Full Article →

Self-Care

The Role of Self-Care and Self-Compassion in Networks of Resilience and Stress Among Healthcare Professionals

Multiple authors — Scientific Reports (Nature), 2025

Randomized controlled trial examining how self-care and self-compassion interact with resilience and stress networks in healthcare professionals. Identifies self-care as a key node in building resilience.

Read Full Article →

Work Demands, Self-Care, and Mental Health in Lawyers

Chlap N, Murray K — Psychiatry, Psychology and Law, 2025

Study of 189 lawyers showing that mindful self-care mediates the relationship between work demands and both burnout and psychological distress. Directly relevant to legal professionals.

Read Full Article →

Changes in Burnout and Satisfaction With Work-Life Integration in Physicians During the First 2 Years of the COVID-19 Pandemic

Shanafelt TD, West CP, Dyrbye LN, et al. — Mayo Clinic Proceedings, 2022

Documents the crisis peak of physician burnout reaching 62.8% in 2021 and its impact on self-care and work-life integration. Essential context for why physician self-care matters now.

Read Full Article →

Mindfulness

Effectiveness of Mindfulness-Based Interventions on the Well-Being of Healthcare Workers: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Multiple authors — General Psychiatry (BMJ), 2024

Comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis of mindfulness interventions specifically for healthcare worker well-being. Synthesizes evidence from multiple randomized controlled trials.

Read Full Article →

Mindfulness Enhances Cognitive Functioning: A Meta-Analysis of 111 Randomized Controlled Trials

Multiple authors — Health Psychology Review, 2024

The largest meta-analysis ever conducted on mindfulness and cognition — 111 RCTs. Demonstrates that mindfulness interventions improve cognitive functioning across multiple domains relevant to professional performance.

Read Full Article →

“I’m So Tired” . . . but Not of the Law: Innovative Strategies to Address Attorney Burnout

ABA Litigation Section — ABA Litigation Journal, Winter 2024

Practical strategies from the American Bar Association for using mindfulness meditation and evidence-based tools to cope with stress and prevent burnout in legal practice.

Read Full Article →

Substance Use & Recovery

Five-Year Outcomes in a Cohort Study of Physicians Treated for Substance Use Disorders in the United States

McLellan AT, Skipper GS, Campbell M, DuPont RL — BMJ, 2008

The foundational study for the physician health program field. 904 physicians across 16 state programs showed 78.7% were licensed and working at five-year follow-up — outcomes dramatically better than standard addiction treatment.

Read Full Article →

The Prevalence of Substance Use and Other Mental Health Concerns Among American Attorneys

Krill PR, Johnson R, Albert L — Journal of Addiction Medicine (ASAM), 2016

The landmark ABA/Hazelden Betty Ford study of 12,825 attorneys. Found 20.6% screening positive for problematic drinking, 28% depression, and 19% anxiety — the most comprehensive data on attorney substance use ever published.

Read Full Article →

Essential Components of Physician Health Program Monitoring for Substance Use Disorder

Merlo LJ, Campbell MD, Shea C, et al. — American Journal on Addictions, 2022

Follow-up to the McLellan study — surveys physicians five years after completing PHP monitoring. Identifies which program components matter most for sustained recovery and validates the PHP model.

Read Full Article →

Menopause & the Professional Workplace

Impact of Menopause Symptoms on Women in the Workplace

Faubion SS, Enders F, Hedges MS, et al. — Mayo Clinic Proceedings, 2023

Mayo Clinic surveyed 32,469 women. Found 13% had adverse work outcomes due to menopause symptoms and estimated $1.8 billion in annual lost work productivity — the first study to quantify the economic cost of menopause in the workplace.

Read Full Article →

An Empowerment Model for Managing Menopause

Hickey M, LaCroix AZ, Doust J, et al. — The Lancet, 2024 (Vol. 403, No. 10430)

First paper in a landmark four-part Lancet Series on menopause. Proposes a WHO-based empowerment model where women become equal partners in managing their care — shifting away from treating menopause as a disease of estrogen deficiency.

Read Full Article →

Factors Underpinning an Improved Menopausal Experience in the Workplace for Doctors

Adelekan-Kamara Y, et al. — BMJ Open, 2023

Study specifically examining women doctors and their menopause experience at work. Identifies modifiable workplace factors — including flexible scheduling, temperature control, and open dialogue — that significantly improve the menopausal experience for physicians.

Read Full Article →

Workplace Impact of Menopause Symptoms Among Canadian Women Physicians

Brent SE, Shirreff L, Yanchar NL, Christakis M — Healthcare (MDPI), 2025

Survey of Canadian women physicians finding that menopause symptoms impact approximately 80% of women and are professionally disruptive — contributing to decreased productivity, absenteeism, and early exit from medical practice.

Read Full Article →

Need Support?

Whether you are seeking help for yourself or concerned about a colleague — one call changes everything.

All calls are confidential. Anonymous inquiries welcome.

About NVPHP

Who We Are

Nevada’s independent professionals health program — compassionate, confidential, and committed to public safety.

Our Story

NVPHP didn’t start in a boardroom. It started in a hospital — Monte Vista, in Las Vegas — where a clinician named Larry Espadero saw something that bothered him: licensed professionals losing their careers, their families, and sometimes their lives, not because help didn’t exist, but because the help that existed didn’t feel safe enough to reach for.

In 2010, Larry founded the Professional Recovery Network. The idea was simple and, at the time, pretty uncommon in Nevada: give physicians and pilots a place to get honest, confidential support from people who understood the pressure they were under — without the fear of being reported, judged, or quietly pushed out of their profession.

The program grew slowly, the way good things tend to. No ad campaigns. No institutional mandate. Just outcomes that spoke for themselves, and referrals from people who’d been through it.

Mark Chase came on board in 2018 — first as a Marriage and Family Therapist Intern and Drug and Alcohol Counselor, then as a partner in the work. When Monte Vista closed its doors in 2020, Larry and Mark moved the program into private practice and kept going, expanding services across the state.

In January 2021, Larry passed away unexpectedly. Mark stepped into leadership with the weight of that loss and the clarity of what Larry had built — a program that treated professionals like human beings first.

In 2024, the program became the Nevada Professionals Health Program, a name that better reflects what it had already become: Nevada’s independent, statewide resource for licensed professionals navigating substance use, mental health challenges, burnout, and the quiet crises that high-achieving people are often the last to talk about. That same year, NVPHP was accepted as a member of the Federation of State Physician Health Programs, serving as Nevada’s official voting representative.

Since 2010, the program has supported more than 750 physicians, dentists, medical students, airline pilots, attorneys, and nurses — helping them protect their careers, reclaim their health, and return to the work they were called to do.

Leadership
MC
Mark Chase, PhD, MBA, DOT SAP
Executive Director
KS
Kent Swaine, MD
Medical Director
JK
Jeffrey Kesten, MD
Clinical Director
AO
Aaron Osborne, MD, PhD
Medical Review Officer
RW
Robert Whipple, MD
Medical Advisor
MS
Michael Sucher, MD, DFASAM
Medical Advisor
JC
Julie A. Chase
Admin Asst, ST, TA

Ready to Reach Out?

Whether for yourself or a colleague — one call changes everything.

All calls are confidential. Anonymous inquiries welcome.

Make a Confidential Referral

Referring a colleague or employee to NVPHP is an act of care, not punishment.

This form is confidential. The information you provide will be sent directly to NVPHP's clinical director. You do not need to provide your name.

About the professional you're referring
Tell us what you can.
This information will only be seen by NVPHP's clinical team.
About you — optional
You do not need to identify yourself to make a referral.

By submitting, you confirm the information is truthful to the best of your knowledge.

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Phone: (702) 562-1230 · Email: