‘Termination of doc’s privileges decision of CHC governing body’

The termination of an orthopedic surgeon’s privileges to use the hospital treatment facility was not the sole decision of the Commonwealth Healthcare Corp. interim CEO, but a determination reached by all members of the organization’s governing body.

Corporation interim CEO Esther L. Muna disclosed this to Saipan Tribune yesterday in defense of herself against allegations made by Dr. Grant Walker that he was kicked out of the public hospital by the interim official.

Walker’s short-term contract with CHCC ended Wednesday. But days prior to this, he was served a notice informing the physician that his privileges at the hospital have been immediately terminated upon receipt of the notice. He was then barred from entry to the hospital due to a series of allegations including misconduct and for demonstrating inappropriate gestures toward a minor client and a staffer as well as insubordination, which the physician denied. He also labeled the action taken against him as a form of bullying from the interim CEO.

Muna had also denied the bullying accusation alleged by Walker.

Muna yesterday disclosed that as CEO, she has no full authority to do what Walker is alleging and that the physician’s termination is a decision consulted with and made by the governing body. Among the members of this decision-making body include Muna, acting chief financial officer Cora Ada, and director for medical affairs Dr. Sherleen Osman.

“The CEO alone cannot remove a physician’s privileges. The governing body has that authority and it consists of other members besides the CEO and DMA, and it’s always with consultation from our legal counsel,” Muna told Saipan Tribune, adding that the authority of the governing body is clearly defined by the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

She said that per CMS policy, “Only the hospital’s governing body can grant a practitioner privileges to provide care in the hospital.”

Last Tuesday, Walker expressed great disappointment on the action taken against him by the corporation. It was learned that without the privileges to use the CHC treatment facilities, the physician cannot practice his profession on island. Walker earlier planned to stay on Saipan to serve as a private orthopedic surgeon after his contract with CHC.

In an interview with Saipan Tribune, the disgruntled physician also shared how he was embarrassed by the corporation when he was served the termination notice at the clinic last Nov. 23, a Saturday, while still attending to patients.

Muna yesterday denied the doctor’s story about how the notice was delivered.

Saipan Tribune learned that it was hospital emergency preparedness director Warren Villagomez who personally handed to the doctor the termination notice but the director revealed that it was never done in the clinic as claimed by the physician.

“Saturday, Nov. 23. No clinic. When I got the call from the CEO office that the letter for Dr. Walker is ready I contacted my manager (Jack Guerrero) for back up. I also requested backup from the Department of Public Safety which was provided for our safety and witness of execution of the letter intended to be served,” Villagomez revealed yesterday.

He said his group first went to the doctor’s apartment but failed to locate him in his residence. The director, along with his backups, continued to look for the physician until they found him along the Garapan area.

“We went over to Dr. Walker’s apartment but he was not around. I called his cell phone and introduced myself and explained that I need to see him in person. The doctor said it’s not going to happen because he’s busy. I asked him twice,” added Villagomez.

While driving around, Villagomez disclosed that they found the doctor in a bar in Garapan and there he was served the notice.

“We drove around and we saw Dr. Walker was seated at a table at Johnny’s Bar and Grill along Beach Road. He was served the notice at 5:59pm on Nov. 23,” disclosed Villagomez, as he belied claims that the physician was served his walking paper at the clinic while treating patients.

Saipan Tribune learned that Walker’s privileges at the CHC were immediately terminated because of reports received by the CEO regarding the physician’s disruptive behavior and unprofessional conduct to patients and staff. It was also learned that the physician was accused of inappropriate gestures to a female minor patient and inappropriate words to a female staff, which forced the CHCC governing body to take immediate action. All these allegations were denied by the physician when interviewed by Saipan Tribune.