Board of Directors Meeting, December 7, 1953 2
Dr. Hastings--"One other thing--this has not gone through our committee, but an ex-member of our Society is being sued for mal-practice for a sizeable amount. This has not made the newspapers as yet, but undoubtedly will. I refer to Dr. Arnold Lieberman--a suit for mal-practice for treatment of a child for arthritis. Dr. Lieberman's attorney discussed this with me at some length, and it seems that he has only $5,000.00 worth of coverage and this suit will be for at least ten times that amount, and at least five times that amount if settled out of court. This is only of academic interest, but is a suit concerning practice of medicine, will make the newspapers in which news he will appear as an M.D. having practiced here, whether or not he is a member at this time. This is something we should keep in mind when choosing members for the Society, even on a two year basis. I think that it makes the Board of Censors more important than ever."
Dr. Manning--Norman Herring talked with me along these lines. Dr. Leo Kent will be called upon to testify in this case, and he was interested in knowing if the members will, in essence, not officially, back each other up as to testimony on common practice in Tucson. The lawyers feel that they cannot get one doctor to testify against each other, and he wanted some assurance that the physicians, as individuals, can get on the stand without causing other physicians to resent it.
Dr. Kent--My testimony will be the truth, but will not be damaging or incriminating.
Dr. Manning--The lawyers are trying very hard to be cooperative, and I think we might tell Mr. Herring that Dr. Kent is well known as a practitioner in Tucson and his testimony can be accepted. I think this is another instance of the potential value of having a medical-legal panel.
Dr. Costin--In the absence of such a panel, could not the Board of Censors do this work?
Dr. Hastings--The panel which is under consideration would settle such matters as a suit against a doctor. It would not lessen the value of the Board of Censors, which operated a step before suit is made. The panel is an excellent idea, as it would serve to keep us out of the newspapers, but it does not change the job of the Board of Censors, whose job it is to make people like the Society.
Report of the Red Cross Committee on the Blood Bank situation in Tucson, submitted by Dr. C.A.L. Stephens, was read. It was recommended to the Society that,
1. The Red Cross supply the Chairman of the Red Cross Committee with a monthly report of the daily blood bank inventory, and
2. The Pima County Medical Society Red Cross Committee sees no reason for the operation of a second blood bank in Tucson.
This investigation was made in response to inquiry from Dr. Kent Thayer for the Southwest Blood Banks relative to the possibility of opening a branch in Pima County.
Dr. Rudolph, Chairman of the Red Cross Committee, stated that the Red Cross Blood Bank served the Society well before World War II, and that he believes they feel they should have the Bank here as long as they are endorsed by the Medical Society; that if the Society feels they cannot run it, it will be turned back to the Society.
It was moved by Dr. Costin that the report and its recommendations be accepted. Motion, being seconded by Dr. Kent, was carried, and the Secretary was instructed to write Dr. Thayer to so state.
