California Physician Sues Hospital for Retaliation After He Charged Poor Quality of Care

A physician and director of Hi-Desert Memorial Health Care District in Joshua Tree, Calif., has filed a lawsuit against the hospital district, claiming its physicians and CEO retaliated against him for voicing complaints about poor care, according to a Hi-Desert Star report.

Dennis Wilcox, MD, alleges that Hi-Desert Medical Center, the hospital district and its leaders violated his civil rights and retaliated against him when he voiced concerns of "substandard" care at the hospital, according to the report. The lawsuit includes several specific examples of this alleged substandard care, including staff delaying critical treatment to accommodate personnel's schedules.

The suit says the district and medical committee reported Dr. Wilcox to the California Medical Board with intention to revoke his medical license. Dr. Wilcox also claims 10 Hi-Desert physicians contacted his patients and tried to refer them elsewhere, boycotted his practice and made defamatory statements against him.

The hospital district's attorney issued a statement, saying Hi-Mount finds the lawsuit to be both procedurally and substantively meritless, according to the report.

Dr. Wilcox is demanding a jury trial.  

Read the Hi-Desert Star report on Hi-Desert Medical Center.

Read about other retaliation suits:

-Nurse Claims San Antonio Hospital Fired Her For Reporting "Abortion" to Archdiocese

-LSU Medical Center Settles Retaliation Allegations After Firing Whistleblowers

-Neurosurgeon Sues Upstate University Hospital Alleging False Claims, Retaliation


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