Dr. Robert Marcus Causey has filed suit against North Arkansas Regional Medical Center (NARMC) and hospital CEO Vince Leist. According to the Harrison Daily Times, the suit, filed earlier this month, alleges improper actions regarding suspension of his hospital privileges and defamation based on a statement made by Leist at a civic club.
NARMC listed three situations in a letter alleging Causey failed to provide appropriate care to a patient. Causey appealed the suspension, and after a hospital hearing, the board voted to return Causey’s privileges with conditions. The conditions were so stringent Causey felt he would be unable to complete them, resulting in the physician’s resignation of his privileges at NARMC.
In addition, the boards actions led to Causey being dropped from coverage by some insurance providers, an action well known to the board. The suit alleges the defendants actions were intentional and improper.
Regarding the defamation claim, Causey said Leist attended a civic club and addressed the issue after the vast amount of publicity generated after the credential committees actions.
During a presentation, Leist was asked, ”What you’re saying is the hospital doctors designate that this doctor is not fit to be a doctor? Is that right?” Leist allegedly responded, “That’s what the credentials committee has decided.”
The lawsuit seeks compensatory and punitive damages to be decided by a jury at trial.
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