Almost two decades ago, Lubbock anesthesiologist Robert Boyd, MD, was forced to leave his practice due to debilitating pain and limited mobility exacerbated by a spinal condition.
To stay afloat, he had to rely on private disability and social security payments – a situation he called “frustrating, despite necessary.”
Dr. Boyd’s frustration quickly turned to worry when his disability policy expired as he turned 65, leaving him to rely solely on social security payments that did not provide enough assistance to cover his mushrooming medical bills and personal expenses.
At first, Dr. Boyd was hesitant to reach out for help, especially from other physicians. He was used to taking care of patients, instead of “being the one needing care,” he said. However, by the time a colleague recommended The Physicians Benevolent Fund (PBF), Dr. Boyd’s financial circumstances had turned dire, and he no longer felt sure he could retain his independence.
It was then Dr. Boyd called PBF Associate Vice President Gail Schatte and Director Chris Johnson to learn more about, and eventually apply to, the fund.
That decision turned out to be “tremendously lifesaving,” he said.
“I didn’t want to ask for help,” Dr. Boyd told Texas Medicine. “But you reach a point in your life, as a doctor, where you’ve given so much to everybody else, that you realize it doesn’t hurt for you to get a little bit back in return.”
Created by past Texas Medical Association President May Owen, MD, PBF financially supports Texas physicians and their immediate families during times of hardship, such as injury, health decline, and disability. Over six decades, the program has grown to include two additional offerings under the umbrella of the PBF Family of Assistance Funds, adding to its list of services financial support for treating impairing conditions and natural disaster aid for physician practices.
Since its inception in 1961, the Physicians Benevolent Fund has distributed over $4.6 million in financial assistance to more than 800 Texas physicians in their times of need.
Through PBF, physicians like Dr. Boyd receive approved aid for personal expenses such as mortgage, utilities, transportation, and health care bills.
Dr. Boyd has received assistance from PBF once a month since 2022 to afford his everyday costs – and has also received generous contributions from the fund for other unforeseen emergency expenses, Ms. Johnson says.
Building a connection with recipients is instrumental to being a good steward of the fund, she adds. That connection has taken many forms over the years, from offering a listening ear to helping beneficiaries with grocery shopping. Ms. Johnson and Ms. Schatte provide the encouragement some recipients desperately need.
“Not all necessities … are financial,” Ms. Schatte said. “Activities and conversations can be good for [a recipient’s] mental well-being. For those like Dr. Boyd who live with chronic pain, it’s good to get their mind off of it for a time.”
For Dr. Boyd, receiving help from PBF has been an “emotional experience.” He says his friendships with Ms. Johnson and Ms. Schatte have offered more than just financial support.
“My financial stress … increased the depression I suffered with,” he said. “But if I need anything, I can call Chris, who will work to help me. To know that somebody out there cares for doctors, well, I can’t say how much that means to me.”
For medical professionals used to providing care instead of receiving it, at times the greatest burden can be asking for help. A friend or colleague can refer a physician who is hesitant to apply, which ensures qualified applicants receive assistance quickly and confidentially. Protecting the anonymity of fund applicants and recipients is a top priority for PBF.
Getting the word out
“The fund is one of the best resources [PBF] offers that a lot of physicians don’t know about,” said TMA President-Elect Jayesh “Jay” B. Shah, MD, who, since 2023, has served on the PBF committee that reviews applications.
“Physicians are not alone. PBF stands behind them when they face difficult times,” the San Antonio internist and wound care specialist said. “We want Texas physicians going through hardship to understand that we have their back.”
Ms. Schatte says the fund unfortunately struggles to find recipients despite multiple social media campaigns and word-of-mouth advertising among county medical societies and TMA alliance chapters. She encourages physicians to share information about PBF to their colleagues, almost like a “call to action.”
“Physicians need to know this aid exists,” she said. “The [most difficult] thing for PBF is that people still say they don’t know about this program. We’re trying our hardest to change that.”
Dr. Boyd says PBF’s “helping hand” is there to assist physicians who have the desire to take it.
On days he’s not chatting with Ms. Johnson or Ms. Schatte on the phone, Dr. Boyd can be found enjoying a good movie or rereading beloved correspondence from his patients.
“I miss practicing medicine, and I miss my patients,” he said. “I’ve received letters from patients thanking me for saving their lives. Now, those notes … are more meaningful to me than anything else.”