Rhee

The Board of Directors of El Camino Hospital District affirmed a decision of its judicial review committee finding that Dr. Young Rhee did not meet the standards of the surgical community of the hospital. The hospital denied Dr. Rhee general surgical privileges, with the exception of anorectal surgery and ganglionectomies. He petitioned the superior court for a writ of mandate to overturn this decision on two grounds: the hospital’s disciplinary procedure had violated his due process rights, and the decision was not supported by the evidence. The court granted the writ petition on the first ground and ordered that Dr. Rhee be reinstated at the hospital on a probationary basis for not less than one year. The hospital appeals, contending that it provided Dr. Rhee fair procedure under the law before denying his surgical privileges. We agree with the hospital. Consequently we order that the judgment granting the writ petition be reversed.

Background

Dr. Rhee is a licensed physician and surgeon. In 1980, after completing his medical residency requirements, Dr. Rhee applied for appointment to the El Camino Hospital staff and requested general surgical privileges. On April 30,…