Opinion ID: 758035
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: The Doctors

Text: 3 What follows are brief descriptions of the key participants in the case. Dr. Trujillo is the Director of Psychiatry at Bellevue. Dr. Castaneda, the Director of Inpatient Services, reported to Dr. Trujillo. Dr. Castaneda headed a staff of approximately 50 physicians, both psychiatrists and other medical specialists, including unit chiefs. The complainants in this action are six of the ten doctors laid off on March 25, 1995: Drs. Kermani, Geller, Graham, and Portnow were unit chiefs, while Drs. Mahon and Steiner were attending psychiatrists. 4 Dr. Kermani had been employed at Bellevue for 25 years, and was board certified in psychiatry and neurology, child psychiatry, and forensic psychiatry. He was unit chief of a combined medical-psychiatric unit and had substantial expertise in the treatment of patients with AIDS. 5 Dr. Portnow had been employed at Bellevue for 26 years, 21 years as a unit chief. Widely published and well-known as a lecturer, he had expertise in several subspecialties of psychiatry, and was board certified in psychiatry, forensic psychiatry, and neurology. Prior to the layoffs, he was unit chief of an inpatient adult unit. 6 Dr. Geller was employed at Bellevue for 27 years, 21 years as a unit chief. Dr. Geller was chief of the teaching unit. 7 Dr. Graham was employed by NYU Medical Center for 27 years, 19 as a unit chief. He was board certified in psychiatry and neurology. 8 Dr. Mahon worked in a unit that was closed as a result of the budget cuts that precipitated this case. Shortly before her termination, she received a favorable evaluation. 9 Dr. Steiner worked with Dr. Kermani. Dr. Wallach testified that Steiner had been transferred there after experiencing problems in another unit.