Dr. Ramsey files another lawsuit vs CHCC

Dr. Gary Ramsey, a former medical staff at the Commonwealth Healthcare Corp., has filed another lawsuit against CHCC for allegedly refusing to pay him $14,055 in physician services.

Ramsey, through counsel Samuel Mok, is suing CHCC for breach of contract, unjust enrichment, and violation of the covenant of good faith and fair dealing.

Ramsey asked the Superior Court to hold CHCC liable to pay him $14,055 in damages, plus court costs, and attorney’s fees.

Mok stated in the complaint that Ramsey worked for CHCC from 2010 to 2012, during which time he also delivered services at both the Tinian and Rota health centers on an emergency basis at their requests in order to fill-in for absent physicians and/or remedy a general physician shortage.

Mok said in addition, in March 2012 then-CHCC chief executive officer Juan N. Babauta asked Ramsey to devise a personnel policy for the hospital.

The lawyer said Ramsey spent 60 hours of his time completing the special project by drafting and delivering a new personnel policy to Babauta as requested.

However, Mok said, the doctor was never paid for his work despite the fact he only charged a modest $1,500 for his efforts.

To date, Mok said, the total amount owed Ramsey for all the work he performed for the CHCC, Tinian and Rota health centers, including the unreimbursed travel expenses he personally incurred for travel to Tinian, is $14,055.

“To date, CHCC has refused to adjust any of the amounts due and owing to plaintiff Dr. Ramsey despite due demand,” the lawyer said.

Last September, Ramsey also filed a lawsuit in federal court over alleged wrongful termination of his medical privilege at CHCC.

In that case, Ramsey is suing CHCC chief executive officer Esther Muna, CHCC OB/Gynecology department chair Dr. Jeanolivia Grant, CHCC Medical Affairs director Dr. Sherleen Osman, former Department of Public Health Secretary Joseph Kevin Villagomez, CHCC, the CNMI government, and 10 unnamed individuals.

Ramsey asked the U.S. District Court for the NMI to find the defendants liable to pay him damages, attorney’s fees, and court costs.

Ramsey is a physician and surgeon specializing in obstetrics, gynecology, and women’s health. He was first licensed by the Medical Board of California in 1991.

Ramsey first came to work on Saipan in April of 1999. He was first licensed by the CNMI Healthcare Professions Licensing Board in 1999.

He worked at the Commonwealth Health Center for eight years, from 1999 to July of 2007.