Dr. Semertzides practices at Bethesda North Hospital, part of the Tri-Health Group (Cincinatti, Ohio) which, in May 2010, suspended his privileges to perform surgery for pain due to adhesions. Dr. Semertzides claims that he was never given a formal explanation for this action. He says that from around January 2010 a committee was formed to investigate his surgical practice but, he claims, he was never invited to attend the meeting that led to this decision or to know who participated in this decision and the details of their deliberations.
Dr. Semertzides says he learned that the committee was concerned that he was performing adhesiolysis procedures in patients with pain, when, according to the committee, it was not medically justified. Further allegations that included "insolence" resulted in a suspension in September 2011 of Dr. Semertzides's privileges to perform any kind of surgery, including for obstruction due to adhesions. Dr. Semertzides says that the committee has recommended to its management to remove him from the staff.
Dr. Semertzides has been proceeding with an appeal, the first part of which took place between December 2011 and April 2012. The second part of this appeal, involving the hospital's management board took place around June 12th and Dr. Semertzides is awaiting their decision.
Dr. Semertzides claims he is the victim of a "sham peer review", a procedure done quite often, according to Dr. Lawrence Huntoon of the Association of American Physicians and Surgeons, and in bad faith for some purpose other than the furtherance of quality care such as silencing of whistleblowers or to eliminate competition. http://www.aapsonline.org/index.php/article/sham_peer_review_resources_physi cians/
We understand that a protest took place recently outside the hospital by a number of Dr. Semertzides' patients who feel that they are not being allowed the treatment of their choice, by the doctor of their choice.
In order to clarify the situation to allow us to post authoritative and balanced information on our web site, to learn if any of Dr. Semertzides' patients are in any sort of danger, to request information about who concerned patients should contact at the hospital, we contacted Dr. George Feghali, Vice President of Medical Affairs for TriHealth by leaving two telephone messages with his assistant and sending emails on June 19 and 22nd. We also requested that Dr. Feghali provide any other information he felt it was important for us to post. We have not yet received a reply.
Dr. Semertzides graduated from medical school in 1979 and started private surgical practice in 1985. He is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons. The current matter has triggered, as a matter of law, an inquiry by the Ohio State Medical Board.
We will make an update when available. June 26 2012
[admin note: this message posted by Dr. David Wiseman, IAS Founder]