Opinion ID: 808085
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: SJMC Surgeries

Text: In June 2003, Dr. Cohlmia performed thoracotomy surgeries at SJMC on two patients diagnosed with lung cancer. One patient died seven days later and the other was permanently disfigured as a result of the surgery. Following a report of these results, Dr. Allred, SJMC Vice-President of Medical Affairs (and a physician specializing in colorectal surgery), conducted a review of the surgeries to assess whether any physician error was involved. During the course of his review of the surgeries, he interviewed a pathologist, a thoracic surgeon, the medical oncologist who treated one of the patients post-surgery, and a pulmonologist. Ultimately, Dr. Allred determined that “there was an inadequate workup . . . before [the patients] were operated on.” Aple. Supp. App. at 1005. As a result, he and the members of the hospital’s Medical Staff Executive Office concluded Dr. Cohlmia’s treatment of the two patients demonstrated “significant error in clinical judgment,” and that his continued practice at SJMC posed potential harm to patients. Id. at 1060–72. Exercising authority pursuant to the -3- SJMC Medical Staff Bylaws, Dr. Cohlmia’s privileges to practice at SJMC were suspended. Once informed of this decision, and in accordance with SJMC bylaws, Dr. Cohlmia immediately requested a formal hearing to respond to the concerns. Dr. Cohlmia met with Dr. Allred and David Pynn, the President of SJMC, prior to the hearing, but no resolution of the suspension issue was reached. At a three-day hearing in August 2003, presided over by former United States District Court Judge Thomas R. Brett, Dr. Cohlmia presented the testimony of seven physicians, including one expert, and SJMC presented the testimony of seven physicians, including three experts. Dr. Cohlmia testified at length during the hearing. In September 2003, Judge Brett issued a Report, Recommendation and Judgment, finding that the suspension of Dr. Cohlmia was “the result of a thorough review, by appropriate SJMC multidisciplinary medical staff physician specialists, of the medical records regarding major thoracic surgery procedures.” Id. at 563. With respect to the patient who subsequently died, Judge Brett found that Dr. Cohlmia’s actions demonstrated “a lack of sound medical judgment,” and a “marked deviation from the recognized standard of care.” Id. at 569. With respect to the patient who was disfigured, Judge Brett found that “Dr. Cohlmia’s failure to employ extensive workup and staging prior to” the surgery “reflected a gross deviation in medical judgment.” Id. at 574. Ultimately, Judge Brett concluded that SJMC “was justified for medical reasons in summarily suspending -4- Dr. Cohlmia’s medical and surgical privileges pursuant to . . . SJMC By-laws.” Id. at 574–75. Subsequent to Judge Brett’s findings, the Medical Executive Committee of the SJMC Medical Staff reviewed the Report and voted, thirteen to two, to uphold Dr. Cohlmia’s suspension. The SJMC Board of Directors approved the Report as well, after giving Dr. Cohlmia another chance to present formal opposition to Judge Brett’s findings. By November 2003, all of the review proceedings were concluded and Dr. Cohlmia’s medical privileges were terminated.