Orthopedic surgeon loses privileges at CHC

Two weeks before to the end of his short-term contract at the public hospital, Dr. Grant Walker decided he will stay on Saipan to continue providing orthopedic surgery services by opening his own private practice.

However, his decision is now hanging in the balance after the Commonwealth Health Center rescinded his doctor’s privileges to use the facility.

Most private physicians in the CNMI have existing privileges agreement with the public hospital where they conduct their services to their clients.

Last Saturday, Saipan Tribune learned that Commonwealth Healthcare Corp. interim CEO Esther Muna handed the outgoing physician a letter informing him about the immediate termination of the doctor’s privileges at CHC. It was learned that a host of issues were cited as factors of the termination including insubordination and unprofessional conduct of the outgoing physician.

Walker was hired from Idaho on Oct. 23 for a temporary contract of 30 days. His salary was based on $185,000 per annum wage and the term is expiring today, Nov. 27. Payment is expected to be received after the contract is fulfilled.

Yesterday, Walker confirmed to Saipan Tribune about the cancellation of his privilege to use the hospital.

“I feel bullied!” stated the doctor, who expressed his disappointment on the treatment he received from the CEO.

The alleged bullying charge, however, was vehemently denied by Muna in an interview with Saipan Tribune.

“We deny such allegations [of bullying],” she said, pointing out that CHCC cannot comment to the media about personnel issues.

Saipan Tribune learned that without the privilege agreement with CHC, Walker can’t perform and operate as a certified orthopedic surgeon. He has to have a facility equipped with the medical tools needed to provide orthopedic surgery care to patients.

“It truly is a dilemma. If I leave and go back to the mainland I make double the money and I resign my medical license and the problem is gone and over [for me], but the people of Saipan lose,” he said yesterday. Walker is the lone orthopedic surgeon at CHC, which has no surgeon for quite some time after the departure of Dr. Ruben Arafiles, who has chosen to join a hospital in Guam. Though there are efforts to get a permanent surgeon onboard, CHCC cannot immediately say when this will actually happen.

According to Walker, if he chooses to stay on Saipan and fight this “squabble” with the CEO, “I put myself and my medical license in harm’s way.”

“I’m not sure what to do now. I really don’t know what my plans are. I still have to operate at CHC in order to provide orthopedic surgery care… and perhaps the governor could provide some protection to the people through the Emergency Measures Act allowing me the privilege to provide emergency orthopedic surgery care to the people of this island.”

He added that the presence of an orthopedic surgeon is vital on this island.

With his obvious disappointment on the CEO, Walker believes that “an effective CEO of a hospital has to have 10 to 15 years of experience in the field and must have social skills enough to resolve conflicts when they come without resorting to bullying and leaking rumors.” He did not elaborate.

Saipan Tribune learned that Walker’s privileges at CHC were 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 CEO to take immediate action.

Walker, however, denies any sexual misconduct as alleged. He said he would be more than agreeable to answer all the allegations when he is presented with an original complaint from the complainants.

Walker said he is also completely unaware of who this staff could be as he has had no confrontations with any female staff over non-patient related issues.

According to Walker, he was embarrassed when served by the termination letter on Saturday when CHCC security and police cars arrived at the clinic. The doctor said he was then attending to three patients at the hospital. He claimed that he was given no time to check out these patients to another physician, thus potentially endangering their continuity of care.