The show of solidarity took place on August 19, as James Woodburn, M.D., the board-appointed "chief of staff," attempted to call the meeting to order. He was told by several staff members that he lacked the authority under the medical staff bylaws to run the meeting. During the ensuing discussion, numerous medical staff members asked that the meeting be run by their elected chief of staff, John Hill, M.D. At that point, the 137 medical staff members in attendance stood and gave Dr. Hill a standing ovation, causing Dr. Woodburn to give up the podium and leave the meeting, followed by the hospital’s CEO, its lawyer, and other administrators.

Dr. Hill was elected chief of staff by the medical staff in November 2002. The hospital administration has refused to recognize Dr. Hill and other democratically elected medical staff officers, alleging that they have financial conflicts of interest with the hospital. Earlier this year, the hospital board unilaterally imposed a policy that forbids any doctor with a competing financial interest from serving as a medical staff officer, being a member of any medical staff committee, or voting on any medical staff matter. Dr. Hill has a 1.2 percent interest in a surgicenter in Ventura.

This was the first general medical staff meeting held on hospital grounds since August 2002. Off-campus meetings have been held at the financial expense of the medical staff. Departmental reports presented at the meeting revealed that departmental staffs have also been pressured by the hospital administration to elect different leaders or have them appointed by the hospital board.

For the third time in as many medical staff meetings, the staff members voted overwhelmingly to reaffirm their support for the lawsuit against the hospital. The vote was 110-5. "This strengthens our resolve in going forward," said Dr. Hill. "We are now seeing more and more physicians making huge sacrifices, speaking out and taking a stand in reestablishing our self-governance."

The medical staff needs your support in this important legal battle. Contribute today to CMA’s Legal Defense Fund online or by calling 916/551-2043.

Contact: Greg Abrams, 415/882-3350 or gabrams@cmanet.org.