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NCPHP History
North Carolina Physicians Health Program originated as a physicians health committee of the North Carolina Medical Society. Established as a formal program by the Medical Society in 1988 and administered by its Foundation, the program subsequently evolved into a not-for-profit 501(c)3 corporation.
NCPHP’s first medical director was Robert C. Vanderberry, MD, who served until his retirement in 1998, when Michael W. Wilkerson, MD, took over the position. Dr. Wilkerson added an Associate Medical Director to the staff as referrals continued to climb, and Warren J. Pendergast, MD, was hired in 1999. When Dr. Wilkerson left NCPHP in 2004, a national search was conducted for his replacement, and Dr. Pendergast, who had acted as Interim Medical Director, was hired for the position of Medical Director.
As indicated in NCPHP program statistics, between 1988 and December 31, 2004 , NCPHP conducted assessments of 1556 physicians, physician assistants, veterinarians, and veterinary technicians. By the end of 2005, NCPHP had seen over 1725 medical professionals. Currently, NCPHP has more than 200 participants under active monitoring contract.