Doctor Suicide Dream Team (1 pm PT) ~ Intimate group of physicians sharing our suicide attempts and survival. We discuss (hidden) reasons docs die by suicide & effective ways to end physician suicide now. View our free training. (60 min) Register here.
❤️ Confidential groups curated by Dr. Wible @ $97/mo. All healers welcome ❤️
Register now for your confidential Zoom link.
Emergency Retreats for Physicians
(Session nonrefundable once link shared)
***
It’s been a year since my friend Michelle killed herself on Christmas.
An emergency doc traveling the world helping anyone in need, Michelle died from lack of medical care—here in the US.
Asked why she became a doctor, she said “When I figured out what I was capable of and what the world needs, there was no other choice.”
She trained in NYC where her patients spoke > 130 languages. Nothing fazed her.
An adrenaline junkie, Michelle thrived working in crime-ridden inner cities to Iraqi war zones and Amazonian jungles—thousands are alive today because of her.
After surviving childhood sexual abuse, she devoted herself to the traumatized—finding “her people” in New Orleans dive bars, Oklahoma Native reservations, Iraqi gas stations, where she’d be hanging out speaking in Arabic.
In her free time Michelle was Caribbean night snorkeling, racing her sports car through narrow New Orleans streets.
Her friends called her “Hurricane Fernandez.” She lived life in the eye of the storm, yet shared love effortlessly—through handmade cards & jewelry—like this necklace she made me.
Michelle had well-managed depression and ADHD—until her doctor retired. Despite our help, she couldn’t find a new doctor to fill her meds. Hopelessly depressed, she shot herself in a park.
Months later, no obituary. So we wrote one & threw a party at her favorite bar.
Michelle gave with high integrity, yet she was repeatedly betrayed.
Michelle wanted care. No doctor wanted her.
Michelle wanted a burial. She was cremated.
Michelle wanted her estate donated to cat rescue. Her wish remains unfulfilled. Though her life insurance agent turned “beneficiary” is now flaunting lavish vacations pics with a young woman online So we just confronted him.
If you hate this ending as much as we do, leave a comment: “Michelle deserved better.”
***
Dr. Drummond-Webb: His Life & Legacy
Suicide by Perfectionism: An Exploration of Childhood Wounds
Free event hosted by Drs. Lorraine DeBlanche (his widow) and Pamela Wible.
***
Recently a doc told me he got promoted to chief of pediatrics. “I’ve achieved all my goals.” He paused. “Only thing left is to donate my organs.”
I run a suicide helpline. I’ve heard these words before.
Even in death, the selfless physician strives to save lives. All but one’s own.
Selfless from Old English self+leas means “without one’s own person.” Loss of self begins long before physical death. Perfectionists master the art of self-annihilation in childhood.
Like the small-town valedictorian turned Ivy League M.D., Ph.D. Brilliant cardiologist. Happy marriage. Great mom. Marathon runner. Best in class at everything.
Always smiling.
Her death “completely unexpected.”
No mention of suicide in her obituary.
Whispers of a divorce, an eating disorder as a child, parents punishing her if she made less than 100 on tests.
“Child abuse is still sanctioned—indeed, held in high regard—in our society as long as it is defined as child-rearing,” says psychologist Alice Miller who writes of the tormented child yearning for parental love through overachievement.
They do well, even excellently, in everything they undertake; they are admired and envied; they are successful . . . but behind all this lurks depression, feelings of emptiness and self-alienation, a sense that their life has no meaning. These dark feelings will come to the fore as soon as the drug of grandiosity fails, as soon as they are not “on top,” not definitely the “superstar” or whenever they suddenly get the feeling they have failed to live up to some ideal image . . . Then they are plagued by anxiety or deep feelings of guilt and shame. What are the reasons for such disturbances of these competent, accomplished people?
Repressed memories are well-hidden under the thrill of academic conquest. Hoarding degrees, certificates, and diplomas an all-consuming addiction.
Physicians stay very busy “helping people.” Why?
I interrogated my physician parents. Separately (so they couldn’t cheat). Beyond “love science” and “help people,” I sought the real reason why they became doctors. Dad poured a glass of vodka and murmured, “So my mother would love me.” Mom’s face turned red as she spewed out, “I thought my mother would finally love me!”
Lost parental love can’t be recouped with a medical diploma.
So we shower patients with attention and love. Hoping for reciprocity from grateful surrogates.
Dr. Jonathan Drummond-Webb was the only child of hypercritical violent parents. They’d wake him at 4:00 am and throw him into an ice-cold shower at age two. His father kept repeating, “You are good for nothing!”
Petrified of becoming his dad, Jon had no children.
Jon’s patients were his kids. As chief of pediatrics and congenital heart surgery, he was their protector and savior.
Despite repairing complex defects in hearts the size of an adult’s thumb (with lowest mortality of all US pediatric surgeons at 1.8%), Jon couldn’t stop the voice of his inner critic, “I’m not good enough.”
Most would celebrate saving 98 of 100. He’d say, “I lost two out of 100.”
Competing in triathlons to stay in shape for surgery, Jon set a frenetic pace performing triple the yearly cases of his peers.
“I have a bit of an extreme personality. What I do demands ultimate perfection.”
At the pinnacle of his career, after implanting the first successful pediatric heart pump, Jon barricaded himself inside his home study on Christmas then overdosed on pain meds and alcohol.
An organ transplant advocate, Jon was unable to donate his own organs.
His physician wife said he had no signs of depression.
A 325-gram baby he operated on weeks before his suicide.
Haunted by the few who died, Jon penned a five-page profanity-laden suicide note blaming the US medical system and naming incompetent staff. “These people don’t care! I have a gift to save babies. The world is not ready for me.”
Jon’s final words—a longing to reunite with his dead parents.
“I am going home!!! To my mom and dad!”
What do these three doctors have in common?
The chief of pediatrics, the brilliant cardiologist, and the congenital heart surgeon all felt unloved as children. So they “killed off” their true selves to play the perfect trophy child in hopes of one day (maybe upon death) feeling loved by mom and dad.
Childhood abuse fueled their professional success.
And choice of specialty.
Helping helpless children.
Fixing broken hearts.
❤️🩹
VIDEO: Dr. Jonathan Drummond-Webb: His Life & Legacy
Pamela Wible, M.D., is a suicidologist who offers peer support, weekly retreats, and a suicide helpline for physicians.
***
I know several good docs in prison. Could you be at risk?
An internist works part-time telemedicine helping disabled elders access needed durable medical equipment. She is paid $20 per patient. Now she faces an FBI investigation and up to 20 years in prison.
A family doc prescribes non-opioid cream to chronic pain patients. He is paid $30 per (virtual) patient by his employer who then bills Medicare $6000 per tube. FBI raids his home at midnight.
My friend, a surgical specialist, just got out of prison after falling for the same pain cream scheme.
What do these “good” docs have in common? Compassion, serving the underserved (for very little pay)—and naiveté.
Physicians are easy prey for criminals. And Medicare fraud has been very profitable since the program’s inception in 1965.
In the 1980s, my mom (a successful solo psychiatrist) was approached by two men wanting to collaborate in a business venture. She declined. They proceeded to use her Medicare number in a massive fraud scheme. When the FBI came to our door, Mom thankfully did not go to prison.
In 2015 when I helped Doc Randy launch his cash practice, two undercover DEA agents had already signed on as “patients.” For just $100/mo. he provided unlimited primary care. Despite the good doc’s warning against controlled substances, DEA agents manipulated and entrapped him. In 2024, at age 64 he got 15 years in federal prison for his “pill mill.”
I hope Randy doesn’t die there like my friend’s father imprisoned for his Philadelphia “pill mill.”
Last week I spoke with a frantic physician. I was her last phone call before entering prison. I’ve spoken with so many docs scammed, framed, or entrapped in such nightmares that (upon their request) I’m publishing their sage advice for the rest of us.
Top 12 ways to avoid DEA/FBI/federal prosecution
1. ALL contracts must be reviewed by your own health attorney, no exceptions.
2. Do not accept any third party non-patient income for services in a federal program.
3. If a patient is in a federal program, do not bill for third-party services.
4. Do not bill, charge, collect (on behalf of any insured patient) for pharmacy, equipment, lab, or imaging services without your attorney’s explicit approval.
5. Disclose revenue from third parties—always.
6. Do not dispense in-office drugs, unless for approved pharmaceutical research with appropriate contracts/disclosures after attorney approval.
7. Do not prescribe controlled meds outside DEA/FDA guidelines ever—no exceptions.
8. Avoid prescribing off label for controlled substances. (Many recent DEA raids in clinics using off-label ketamine for PTSD).
9. Do not share medical practice revenue or ownership with non-physician operators unless in compliance with your state’s medical practice act.
10. Do not use personal phone, email, text, Facebook, or any social media with patients.
11. Do not allow outside billing collection without independent audits.
12. Never release authorization for billing without attorney review of entity. If third party does your billing/coding, you as physician are still responsible for errors, chargebacks, overbilling, overcoding which may constitute fraud.
Top 12 questions answered on how to avoid DEA/FBI/federal prosecution
I hosted a live Q & A last week in our physician business mastermind where we heard directly from a doc recently released from prison. To join our follow-up session, contact Dr. Wible.
1. What are the most risky third-party contracts?
Non-risky. Non-negotiable. All US physicians have a contractual relationship with their medical board called their state’s medical practice act. You must comply with your state’s statutes for the privilege of practicing medicine. Note: most docs never read their state medical practice act until after they are in legal trouble. All US physicians have a contractual relationship with the federal government. You are opted into Medicare by default unless you opt out. Always comply with state and federal laws.
Low-risk. Negotiable. Physicians often have contracts with major employers, insurance plans, or pharmaceutical companies (principle investigator, speaker). Lawyered-up medical institutions’ contracts comply with law, though clauses may be disadvantageous for physician. Negotiate best terms.
High-risk. Negotiable. Beware of very friendly people wanting to collaborate with you. Beware of obscure companies offering you income, travel, perks. If they have access to your patient billing and/or financials, seek attorney consult. Negotiate best terms and ensure compliance with state/federal law before signing anything.
2. If I opt out of Medicare properly and do not accept insurance payments, I’m not a big risk for insurance fraud. Anything I’m not seeing here?
Beware of high-risk contracts with “collaborators” per question #1.
3. In a fully cash-based solo practice what contracts should I anticipate signing?
Lease, medical & office liability, EMR, lab, and attorney on retainer (optional).
4. Should my attorney review contracts for my medical liability policy or my lease for renting office space?
See question #1. Both are low-risk contracts. Both are negotiable. I got my medical liability premium reduced by 86% and you can too. Advocate for best lease terms. I rented an office in a wellness center for 10 years. When building sold to new risk-averse owners, they shifted HVAC/plumbing maintenance costs to tenants. I negotiated that clause right out of my renewal with no need for an attorney.
5. Is attorney review of EMR and insurance contracts overkill?
Involve attorney based on your personal risk assessment and your baseline anxiety. In my ideal clinic (opted out of Medicare), I had low risk and low anxiety so I never hired an attorney to review any contracts. Zero problems in 16 years.
6. “Do not accept any third party non-patient income for services in a federal program. If a patient is in a federal program, do not bill for third-party services. Do not bill, charge, collect (on behalf of any insured patient) for pharmacy, equipment, lab, or imaging services without your attorney’s explicit approval.” How would you explain that to a fifth grader?
If your mom is supposed to pick you up from school, do not get into a car with a stranger—even if the man says he is your best friend’s father. Do not accept money, or ice cream cones, or a trip to Disneyland from a stranger.
In our low-overhead ideal clinic model we adhere to disintermediation (removing middlemen). Maintain direct relationship with patients. Maintain direct relationship (if you choose) with Medicare. Patient’s chosen lab, pharmacy, durable medical equipment companies all should have direct relationships with Medicare (not you!). Do not be the fifth grader who gets enticed into a MediCAR with unknown third parties. Never share Medicare number, EIN, or financials with middlemen.
7. I have dispensing permission on my license. My rented office has a compounding hood where I hope to compound “magic butt paste” with cholestyramine for diaper rash. What are risks of mixing up and dispensing magic butt paste?
Magic butt paste seems low risk. Just don’t bill Medicare $6000 per tube. Our wise physician felon advises docs never to dispense from office. Good luck with your decision. Would suck to go to prison for magic butt paste! 😱
8. Is dispensing generic meds for high blood pressure and antibiotics risky?
Seems lower risk that magic butt paste. Review your state’s medical practice act for in-office dispensing. Why not offload liability risk to the pharmacy? Think like a lawyer, not a doctor.
9. Why can’t I use my personal cell with patients?
Best to separate personal from professional to avoid (appearance of) boundary violations.
10. Is buying equipment or supplements wholesale then marking up for patient purchase a problem?
Due to risk of patient exploitation, physicians should limit in-office sales to products of immediate need to patients. Provide free or at cost. Disclose fully the nature of your financial relationship with supplier. Indicate you are marking up price and patient can find equivalent elsewhere. Consult your state’s medical practice act or attorney regarding exclusive distributorships of health products only available through physicians’ office.
11. My local pharmacist appreciates how I work with her pharmacy when I care for patients. She is eager to refer patients with no PCP to me. I am eager to refer patients to her pharmacy. Any unforeseen risk?
As long as you never receive even one dollar outside of your billing, you are safe. No free lunches either! No perks or special favors! No discounts for dual relationships. Enforce strict boundaries.
12. How did stored medical records in a printer lead to a doctor going to jail?
Our wise physician guest shared the story of another doctor’s innocent purchase of an office printer (also used to fax/scan). When he sold device, patient medical records were retained in memory. Though doctor did not go to prison, he was fined for violation of patient confidentiality per occurrence $1.5 million.
This does not constitute legal advice and is intended for educational and entertainment purposes only and exclusively. Consult with your health attorney for specific issues.
Anything like this ever happen to you? Have questions?
Leave comment below ⬇️.
You may post anonymously.
***
All physicians need help. Few find what they truly need.
Docs rarely ask for help. As people pleasers our identity is helping others. So who do we confide in? Who can we really trust?
We’re often unaware of our own needs until life spirals out of control.
Delays are deadly. I’ve got > 2,000 obituaries from docs who didn’t get the help they needed.
Why not?
Help-seeking too often leads to physician punishment by employers, state boards, and physician “health” programs (PHPs).
I know docs who naively self-referred to (costly!) PHPs where they were treated like criminals with polygraph tests in 5-year faith-based abstinence & sex addiction programs (even though they had NO sex/drug addiction!). Noncompliance = board action.
So how can docs get 100% confidential help without board intrusion?
It’s tricky . . . Here’s what I suggest . . .
Peer Support Groups & Retreats—100% Confidential
I’ve led weekly physician peer support groups & retreats for more than a decade. Many emergency retreats for docs on the verge of losing their careers—or their lives. Even held a free emergency retreat for 2 widows in the aftermath of their physician husbands’ suicides.
These people need targeted help that’s not easy to find! (Attorneys have even hired me to assist with PHP cases. Yikes!).
Need an emergency life reset?
Curated to your needs, retreats may cover imposter syndrome, savior complex, perfectionism, self-blame, fear, childhood/workplace trauma, true identity (outside of medicine), clinical & nonclinical careers (no need for licensure) with the ultimate goal—creating the life of your dreams!
Just leave your crappy job behind & enter your luxury suite. All meals, hotel, ground transport, massage & other perks included. Turn off your cell & relax. No interruptions. 😍
100% tax-deductible. CME available.
To plan your retreat, contact Dr. Wible.
***
Doctor revived after suicide. Here's what he says.
