Opinion ID: 1822510
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: were the bylaw requirements for due process followed?

Text: The record reveals: (1) On December 13, 1984, the Executive Committee met to discuss Medical Staff Reappointments. Pursuant to Article IX, § 1(D), Dr. Wong appeared before this committee to explain his conduct regarding the following allegations: encouraging a patient to sue Garden Park; inappropriately admitting a patient into the hospital; and, taking food items from the hospital kitchen. Article IX, § 1(D) provides that such an appearance is preliminary in nature and does not constitute a hearing and that none of the procedural rules concerning hearings applies. A certified letter was sent to Dr. Wong on December 19, 1984, informing him of the committee's decision. (2) Pursuant to Article X, § 2(A) and (B), the action taken by the committee entitled Dr. Wong to all of the rights contained in the Fair Hearing and Appellate Review Procedure. Dr. Wong invoked these rights by requesting a hearing before a judicial review committee. Pursuant to Article X, § 3(A), on January 9, 1985, Garden Park sent Dr. Wong notification that the hearing had been set for January 17, 1985. This correspondence also notified him that in accordance with Article X, § 4(C) and § 9, Dr. Wong's request to be represented by an attorney had been denied. On January 11, 1985, the grounds for his suspension were sent to Dr. Wong. (3) Pursuant to Article X, § 3(C), a judicial review committee was appointed and the meeting held on January 17, 1985. The transcript of this proceeding shows that Dr. Wong was allowed to question the hospital administrator, Mr. Johnston, at these proceedings. Dr. Wong was allowed to respond to each of the allegations against him and to give his version. Additionally, Dr. Wong introduced tape recordings and documentary evidence for consideration by the committee. After deliberation, the Judicial Review Committee revised the Executive Committee's decision and revoked and terminated all staff privileges of Dr. Sidney Wong. Pursuant to Article X, § 5(C), Dr. Wong was notified of the Judicial Review Committee's decision on February 1, 1985. This letter also advised Dr. Wong of his right to request an appellate review. (4) On February 12, 1985, Dr. Wong's attorney requested Appellate Review. On February 25, 1985, Dr. Wong was notified that the Appellate Review Board meeting to consider his appeal would convene on March 7, 1985. Pursuant to a request by Dr. Wong, this hearing was reset for March 19, 1985. Dr. Wong submitted a written statement of disagreement on March 15, 1985. Dr. Wong waived his right to appear before the Board via a March 18, 1985 letter. On April 3, 1985, the Appellate Review Board issued its decision upholding the decision of the Judicial Review Committee. Garden Park's bylaw requirements for due process kicked in when Dr. Wong requested that his suspension be heard by a Judicial Review Committee. After a thorough review of the record before us and of Garden Park's bylaws, it appears that because Garden Park complied with its bylaw requirements for due process in accord with Miss. Code Ann. § 73-25-93(1) (Supp. 1989), the chancery court was correct in affirming the action taken by the Appellate Review Committee. AFFIRMED. ROY NOBLE LEE, C.J., HAWKINS and DAN M. LEE, P.JJ., and PRATHER, ROBERTSON, ANDERSON, PITTMAN and BLASS, JJ., concur.