When it comes to serving ISMA members, only two employees have more years of service than Candace Backer, LCSW, LCAC. It is bittersweet for ISMA to announce that she plans to retire in January 2021 as coordinator of the Physician Assistance Program.

“It has been a tremendous privilege and honor to work with so many gifted and talented physicians,” Backer said. “I’m proud of the work ISMA has done to help develop the national model of best practices in assisting physicians and to see the extraordinary rates of recovery, especially with substance use disorders.”

Backer has been an instrumental part of ISMA for 30 years. After the Commission on Physician Assistance (COPA) hired a part-time physician in 1989, she became the association’s first full-time employee coordinating physician assistance services the next year. 

Of all her accomplishments, Backer is most proud of her work developing the Physician Assistance Program from the ground up. The Mental Health Association of Indiana honored her with the 2018 “Hero in the Fight” award for her work helping physicians overcome addiction. She has also served as the Central Region representative on the Federation of State Physician Health Program (FSPHP) Board.

“Please join me in thanking Candace for her 30 years of exceptional service to ISMA and Hoosier physicians around the state,” said Executive Vice President Julie Reed. “Her work with the Physician Assistance Program has created a solid foundation for success in supporting Indiana physicians that will continue after her departure.”

Case Manager Anne Naus Kelley, who joined ISMA in 2013, will transition to become the new coordinator upon Backer’s retirement. Meanwhile, Fred Frick, MD, will continue as the program’s medical consultant.