Opinion ID: 534410
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Interference with Practice at Case Grande

Text: 43 Plaintiff's final intentional interference allegation is that defendants interfered with his ability to practice radiology by making Hoemako Hospital unavailable to him. At oral argument we ascertained that this claim is based upon the failure of Ravi and Sood (and the Medical Staff as a whole) to support or approve his application for privileges post-termination. 44 The district court held that plaintiff had failed to note any instances of business lost as a result of his inability to practice at Hoemako, and granted summary judgment in favor of defendants. Plaintiff argues that the district court's focus was too narrow, and that he should not have to show the loss of any particular patient to prove damage. Instead, he points to the cessation of a steady influx of patients from the hospital, and loss of the place to practice medicine which he had enjoyed under the terms of the contract. 45 Plaintiff bases this allegation on post-termination conduct. Under Arizona law, an element of the tort of interference with contract is the existence of valid contractual relationship or business expectancy. Antwerp Diamond Exchange v. Better Business Bureau, 130 Ariz. 523, 637 P.2d 733, 740 (1981). Since plaintiff cannot allege the terminated exclusive services contract as the basis of a valid business expectancy, he must rely on the general expectancy of an influx of patients, which he argues would come from his admission to the Medical Staff. This, of course, cannot be an expectancy, but only a hope, and cannot support the interference action. Cf. Marmis v. Solot, 117 Ariz. 499, 573 P.2d 899, 902 (Ct.App.1977).