The release also quoted Steven R. West, MD, a Fort Meyers cardiologist and FMA president. "Physicians who comprise medical staffs are in the best position to make decisions on medical issues that affect patients' well-being, not hospital trustees...the rights, duties and responsibilities of the medical staff must be respected by hospital boards, not circumvented using legislative influence with lawmakers."

"The Lawnwood case is an important court victory, which will prevent hospitals from encroaching on medical staff autonomy and becoming embroiled in a legal tug of war over the division of responsibilities within the hospital," Dr. Wilson further commented. "This case shows yet again that when doctors enlist the help of organized medicine, the best outcome for patients and doctors can be achieved."


The Litigation Center of the AMA and its state medical societies, along with FMA, filed Amicus Curie, or "friend of the court," briefs in the Lawnwood case to the Florida Supreme Court, and also provided substantial financial support for legal costs.

The AMA's position may be found at: http://www.ama-assn.org/ama/pub/category/20048.html

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