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Dr. Church finishes two-day appeal hearing before hospital panel, after expulsion from staff.

Verdict to come within twenty days. Will sanity prevail?

POSTED: August 4, 2015

On July 29 and 30, Dr. Paul Church’s appeal hearing at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC) took place. As we’ve reported, Dr. Church was expelled from the medical staff on March 30 for voicing concerns to his colleagues about the unhealthy nature of homosexual behavior. His concerns were labeled as “discriminatory” and “offensive,” though the hospital did not dispute that his points were factual.

     Dr. Church and the BIDMC East Campus

The appeal was held before a panel from the hospital’s Medical Executive Committee. As outlined in BIDMC’s bylaws, the entire process was shrouded in secrecy. We do know that Dr. Church was accompanied by his Liberty Counsel attorney, Richard Mast. The bylaws allow both sides to have attorneys and witnesses present evidence. In some respects it would be similar to an actual legal proceeding, though it is an internal hospital hearing.

It’s possible that more evidence, oral or written, could be submitted a few days after July 30 before the panel officially ends the hearing.

What happens next . . .

Within 20 days after the hearing ends, the hearing panel must meet, deliberate, and prepare a report of its recommendations.

Those recommendations may then be appealed to the hospital’s Board of Directors by either Dr. Church or the hospital’s full Medical Executive Committee. If that were to happen, a review process by the Board of Directors would take place, with evidence, testimony, etc., and yet another report.

Finally, the hospital’s Board of Directors would vote on final action regarding Dr. Church.

The very idea that a physician would be silenced and fired for voicing legitimate medical concerns about a controversial issue is frightening and outrageous. Will the hearing panel of fellow BIDMC staffers defy the wave of political correctness and do the right thing? Or might the Board of Directors? It may require some cold water from our side!

Sign the national CitizenGo petition to demand justice for Dr. Church. Each signature also sends an email to the BIDMC president!