Mission statement
Our Mission is to promote early identification and facilitate rehabilitation of nurses, dietitian-nutritionists, and student nurses with concerns relating to substance use disorder, mental health disorders, and/or behavioral concerns. Our goal is to coordinate assessment and treatment as well as provide monitoring and advocacy to ensure the safe practice of their profession, and the safety of the public.
Vision statement
Substance use and mental health disorders are chronic illnesses prevalent in the community and equally common among nurses, dietitian-nutritionists, and student nurses. We strive to educate the public and health professionals on the medical model of substance use disorder, and behavioral concerns including the biopsychosocial and spiritual aspects. We encourage early recognition of these disorders, and behavioral concerns, to facilitate effective, confidential treatment that preserves careers and carries the message of hope. We accomplish this through involvement with the Federation of State Physician Health Programs and cooperation with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
Program History
On November 1, 2023, the Foundation of the Pennsylvania Medical Society developed the Nurses' Health Program to serve nurses, dietitian-nutritionists, and student nurses with concerns related to substance use disorder, mental health disorders, and/or behavior concerns with the goal of rehabilitation and advocacy to ensure the safe practice of their profession and the safety of the public.
Meet the Team
Tiffany Booher, MA, LPC, CAADC, CIP, CCSM, Director
Ms. Booher joined the Foundation in 2013. As Program Director, Ms. Booher is responsible for direct supervision and professional development of the case management and administrative staff. In addition, Ms. Booher manages the daily delivery of program services. She holds a master’s degree in Applied Clinical Psychology and is licensed in the Commonwealth as a Professional Counselor. Ms. Booher is also board certified in Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counseling, intervention, and case management. Her favorite part of working for the Foundation is the privilege of witnessing individuals recover and reap the rewards of creating a whole new life for themselves.
Edwin Kim, MD, DABPN, MRO, Medical Director
Dr. Kim works in an interdisciplinary team to provide monitoring and advocacy services for healthcare professionals coping with addiction or a mental illness. He conducts interviews, reviews pertinent medical issues, and provides his expertise on mental health. He is double board-certified in adult and addiction psychiatry and is a diplomate of the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology. Dr. Kim holds additional certification as a medical review officer by the American Association of Medical Review Officers. His favorite aspect of working at the Foundation is the collegiality and working with a close-knit team. In his free time, he enjoys hiking and road cycling.
Raymond C. Truex Jr., MD, FACS, FAANS, MRO, Medical Director
Dr. Truex is a graduate of Temple University School of Medicine and completed a rotating internship and general surgery training at Pennsylvania Hospital in Philadelphia. During the Vietnam War, he served as a Naval medical officer assigned to the Fleet Marine Force and worked in the 3rd Medical Battalion Hospital in Quang Tri, South Vietnam, and as Battalion Surgeon to Marine Infantry Units in the Pacific theatre. He returned to complete a neurosurgery residency at Temple University Hospital, followed by a fellowship in pediatric neurosurgery at Temple. He started his career in academic neurosurgery at Temple, serving as Chief of Pediatric Neurosurgery at St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children, and rising to Associate Professor of Neurosurgery at Temple. At Temple, he was recipient of the Lindback Award for Distinguished Teaching, was elected to Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honor Society, and served as President of the Medical Faculty Senate.
His academic career was interrupted by physician burnout and addiction, and after entering into recovery, with the help of the Physicians’ Health Program, he relocated to Reading Hospital, where he practiced adult and pediatric neurosurgery for 27 years before retiring in 2017.
Through his involvement with organized medicine, Dr. Truex developed a personal and administrative understanding of the Foundation, and on retirement wanted to help healthcare professionals with addiction problems, signing on as a medical director. He serves as an authentic icon of recovery for healthcare professionals who suffer from addictive disorders.
Charles N. Burns, Jr., MD, Medical Director
Charles N Burns Jr., M.D. joined the Foundation in 2023. He is a graduate of the University of Scranton, Jefferson Medical College, Geisinger Medical Center in Surgery and Urology. He completed a Pediatric and Adult Reconstructive Urology Fellowship at Eastern Virginia Graduate School of Medicine and is board certified in perpetuity in Urology since 1983. Retired from the practice of Urology since 2017, he has been Medical director of CTC Dunmore, PA, methadone clinic, and outpatient MAT provider for the Geisinger Medical Center and Wright Center MAT clinics since 2018. He became certified in Addiction Medicine by the American Board of Preventive Medicine in 2022. He enjoys spending time with his wife, Sheila, their four children and nine grandchildren.
Wendie Dunkin, Office Manager
Ms. Dunkin has served as a staff member in the Foundation for over 26 years. Her main duties include managing program fees and providing administrative support to staff. Ms. Dunkin loves to assist others. Her favorite thing to do is spend time with her husband of 35 years.
Melissa Devonshire, MBA, CADC, CCDP, Case Manager
Ms. Devonshire received her bachelor’s in administration of justice from the Pennsylvania State University and her Master’s in Business Administration from Alvernia College with an emphasis on healthcare. She has over 25 years of experience working in the field of addiction. Her responsibilities include training case management staff, screenings, determining appropriate level of care, contact with referrals and providers and seeing that our participants move through the process as smoothly as possible. Ms. Devonshire says that the highlight of her job is seeing a participant’s growth from the first phone call to where they are today. In her free time she enjoys gardening, spending time with family and her “fur babies” and cooking/baking.
Tyson Davis, BS, Case Manager
Ms. Davis received her Bachelor of Science in Sociology at the University of Greensboro and has been working in case management for 21 years. Ms. Davis has experience in direct support care with persons with intellectual disabilities, mental health diagnoses, and substance use disorders and prior to working in the NHP supported children and families in the Commonwealth. Ms. Davis has found a home in the NHP where her desire to serve others and support change is utilized every day. During her free time, Ms. Davis is a board member in the community for She’s Somebody’s Daughter, active in church and keeps a full schedule with activities for her children.
Brenda Iliff, MA, LADC, CADC, Case Manager
With over 20 years’ experience as both an administrator and a counselor, Ms. Iliff has spent much of her career helping people with addictions to start and continue their life-changing recovery. Ms. Iliff has worked with professionals with addictions at other non-profits including Hazelden Betty Ford, Caron Foundation and Rosecrance. Most of her recent work has been in administration setting up programs to help people get and stay in recovery. She’s passionate about recovery and excited to be part of the PA Medical Society and the Nurses’ Health Program. Ms. Iliff has a Master of Arts in Counseling and is Pennsylvania Board certified as an Alcohol and Drug Counselor.
Amanda Irons-Bennett, MS, LPC, Case Manager
Ms. Irons-Bennett joined the Foundation in 2023. She holds a master’s degree in clinical psychology and is licensed as a Professional Counselor. Ms. Irons-Bennett has 10 years of experience in direct care working with people diagnosed with mental health diagnoses and substance use disorders. Her most recent work has been supporting children and families in the school setting. Her favorite part of her work is seeing the person grow and feel strength in their self.
Michele Davis, MS, LPC, CAADC, Case Manager
Ms. Davis joined the Foundation in 2023. She has over 30 years’ experience as both an administrator and counselor. Ms. Davis has worked at other non-profit organizations including Drug and Alcohol Treatment Services and Geisinger Marworth. She assisted in the development and execution of the Healthcare Professionals Program for Geisinger Marworth. Ms. Davis is committed to supporting healthcare professionals succeed in their process of recovery as well as their chosen professions. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Pennsylvania State University, a Master’s of Science degree from the University of Scranton, is a Licensed Professional Counselor, and is a Certified Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor for the Commonwealth. During her free time, Ms. Davis enjoys spending time with family and friends, as well as hikes with her dog.
Kelly Mylnek, Administrator Assistant
Ms. Mlynek started with the Foundation in 2023 as an Administrative Assistant. She has had many years of administrative experience and is excited to use her skills to help the mission of the Foundation. Her main duties include supporting the case managers in administrative tasks, so they can do their job more efficiently. Her love of people comes out in everything she does. In her free time, she loves spending time with her family, her dog Peanut and her cats, Callie and Chloe. She also likes the outdoors, to read and to continually learn new things.