Opinion ID: 2999710
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Dr. Paul’s Breach of Contract Claim

Text: Dr. Paul argues that Theda Clark violated its bylaws by denying him active staff membership. Dr. Paul cites Seitzinger v. Community Health Network, 676 N.W.2d 426, 433 (Wis. 2004) and Bass v. Ambrosius, 520 N.W.2d 625, 627 (Wis. Ct. App. 1994), in support of the general proposition that a hospital’s bylaws can constitute a binding contract between the hospital and its staff. The Wisconsin Supreme Court also held that hospital bylaws are reviewed under a deferential standard and a hospital’s interpretation of its bylaws should stand if reasonable. Seitzinger, 676 N.W.2d at 433. No. 06-1034 9 Even if Theda Clark’s bylaws create a contract between Theda Clark and Dr. Paul, there is no breach of contract. Theda Clark’s bylaws state: [t]he active medical staff shall consist of physicians, dentists, and podiatrists who regularly admit patients to the hospital or provide services to hospital patients, who are located closely enough to the hospital to provide continuous care to their patients, and who assume all the functions and responsibilities of appointment to the active medical staff including where appropriate, service on medical staff and department committees, specialty care coverage for the emergency department and consultation assignments. The bylaws clearly state that an active staff member assumes responsibilities that include providing “specialty care coverage for the emergency department.” Because Theda Clark is a Level II trauma center, all neurosurgeons that provide trauma call coverage must be board certified. Dr. Paul argues that he did not apply to become a member of the trauma team and therefore was not required to be board certified.6 However, the bylaws do not state that an active staff member is allowed to opt out of trauma coverage. On the contrary, if Dr. Paul was appointed to active staff membership, he would be required to provide “specialty care coverage” according to Theda Clark’s bylaws. Therefore, the district court did not err when it granted summary judgment on Dr. Paul’s breach of contract claim. 6 Dr. Paul also argues that Theda Clark’s bylaws include a “grandfather clause” that exempts him from the requirement of board certification. However, the clause is located under Article VI of the bylaws, which is entitled “clinical privileges” and pertains to clinical privileges rather than staff membership. This clause entitles Dr. Paul to retain his clinical privileges but does not entitle him to active staff membership. 10 No. 06-1034