Former medical director drops lawsuit against Cape Cod Hospital, CEO

The former cardiovascular medical director at Hyannis, Mass.-based Cape Cod Hospital has dropped his lawsuit alleging whistleblower retaliation and defamation, according to a Feb. 1 Cape Cod Times report.

Richard Zelman, MD, who brought the lawsuit against both the hospital and its president and CEO, Michael Lauf, filed a motion to dismiss it without prejudice Jan. 25, the report said.

The lawsuit claimed Mr. Lauf allegedly prioritized profit over patients when he tried to limit the use of a medical device to patients whose insurance had higher reimbursement rates, a Dec. 8 Boston Globe report said. Dr. Zelman also alleged Mr. Lauf and others retaliated against him for reporting what he considered "grievously dangerous care" by the hospital's cardiac surgeons.

Mr. Lauf strongly denied the allegations and said he didn't know why the lawsuit had been withdrawn. The lawyer representing the hospital is expecting a refiling of the suit in the future, the Cape Cod Times report said.

The hospital is not intending to sue Dr. Zelman, Mr. Lauf said, but would be ready with documentation to refute the allegations if there is further court action.

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