RISK TIP

Malpractice Litigation Strategies in a Pandemic World:

Tackling Skeptical Jurors, Trial Delays, Social Inflation

MARCO SPADACENTA, SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT OF CLAIMS, THE DOCTORS COMPANY AND TDC GROUP

Under “normal” circumstances, when a healthcare provider is sued for alleged medical malpractice, it begins an emotional journey the provider wants to end as quickly and favorably as possible. In the era of the COVID-19 pandemic, medical malpractice suit challenges have been exacerbated by delays in proceedings, resulting in many more months or years on this emotional roller coaster to resolution.

In addition, those providers who seek their day in court may encounter social shifts in jury predisposition. We are witnessing the politicization of medicine being played out on social media platforms and in the debates on vaccination/mask mandates, potentially eroding trust in medical science in general, a collateral consequence of which may be jurors who are predisposed to skepticism of healthcare providers and medical experts in the civil court setting.

More than one in three U.S. physicians will face a medical malpractice lawsuit in their careers. The evidence also suggests that advanced practice clinicians, such as nurse practitioners, whose role is growing within the U.S. primary care workforce, may face an increase in medical malpractice claims. Therefore, healthcare providers may benefit from staying versed in the following key shifts in medical malpractice litigation.

Demographic Shifts Change Courtroom Dynamics

As the U.S. population ages, we see a seismic shift in the profile of the typical jury. More than half of Americans are now Millennials or younger (Gen Z). Members of the Silent Generation, those born between 1925 and 1945, and raised during a period of economic depression and war, are diminishing dramatically. No longer are juries populated with people from a generation that was confronted with and overcame such arduous circumstances. As the population shifts toward these younger generations, so must the litigation strategy shift to account for their views.

In the context of preparing to defend a medical malpractice action, the defense team must evaluate whether juries will not only consider the healthcare provider, attorney, and medical experts to be skilled, experienced, and knowledgeable, but also whether these participants are reflective of the community, relatable, and not appearing out of touch with the modern-day juror. In other words, will these members of the defense team present in a trustworthy and credible way to today’s juries? All these factors must be considered when assembling the defense team and preparing a defense strategy.

Medical Mistrust Meets MisinformationInspired Mistrust

Whether derived from actual historic experiences or swayed by social media opinions, distrust of healthcare providers by some members of the public has grown significantly during the pandemic. For better or worse, jurors will bring their prior experiences and perceptions with them into the courtroom.

With the public mistrust of medical science surging, the paradigm may have shifted. We no longer see the “halo effect” (a type of cognitive bias in which our overall impression of a person positively influences how we feel and think about their character) that we witnessed during the latter half of 2020, stemming from our admiration for healthcare providers battling COVID-19. To the contrary, the current public mistrust may be manifesting itself at trial in a “horn effect” (a type of cognitive bias in which our overall impression of a person negatively influences how we feel and think about their character).

Juror mistrust of medical science may manifest itself via “jury nullification,” defined by the Legal Information Institute as “a jury’s knowing and deliberate rejection of the evidence or refusal to apply the law either because the jury wants to send a message about some social issue that is larger than the case itself, or because the result dictated by law is contrary to the jury’s sense of justice, morality, or fairness.” The defense team must take measures to combat jury nullification when preparing their trial strategy and focus the jury back on the reliable science of medicine as it applies to the matter before them.

Trial Delays Turn Attention to Alternative Dispute Resolution

The volume of backlogged cases is staggering. Studies indicate state and local courts across the U.S. saw their already difficult-to-manage case backlog increase by approximately one-third as a result of the global pandemic.

The “Great Resignation,” a.k.a. the “Big Quit,” has also impacted the civil litigation field. Continued departures of seasoned trial attorneys, judges, claims professionals, and others reaching retirement age and/or making new life choices after some pandemic-inspired reflection have also added to the challenges of defending a medical malpractice suit.

Given these challenges, there is a growing movement for alternative dispute resolution (ADR), such as mediation, when warranted by the facts and circumstances of the matter at hand and by the desire of the healthcare provider to bring resolution to a lingering claim, allowing them to return to caring for patients free from the burden of an unresolved claim.

ADR presents certain advantages. It is confidential, less expensive, can be scheduled far more quickly, and is less time consuming. It also spares the parties at least some of the upsets and disruptions a trial

To find out more about what differentiates The Doctors Company from other medical malpractice insurance carriers as a physician-first insurer, contact Matt Lawrence at 310.492.4845 or mlawrence@thedoctors.com. CCMA members receive additional savings!

may impose. Nonetheless, since no agreement can be made without the express consent of the parties, mediation outcomes are completely controlled by the participants, not by a judge or jury. The major disadvantage to resolution at mediation is that regardless of the merits of their case, the parties relinquish their day in court. However, since resolution at mediation is voluntary, the healthcare provider does not surrender anything by simply agreeing to participate.

Unless court-ordered, pursuing resolution through ADR, such as mediation, should ultimately be the healthcare provider’s decision in consultation with their counsel and carrier. A good medical malpractice carrier will support the healthcare provider’s desire to vigorously defend the care they provided their patient, provide a strong defense, and effectively prepare the provider for trial.

Social Inflation Impacts Jury Awards

The average cost to resolve a claim (severity) has been rising for decades. In 2021, the average cost to resolve a claim handled by The Doctors Company increased 61 percent to $115,000, compared with $70,000 in 2007. Some of the major factors driving social inflation in the U.S. today include the erosion of tort reform, litigation funding by plaintiffs, distrust of corporations, and large verdicts.

Over the past decade-plus, we have witnessed, successful attacks on tort reform measures previously passed by various states. This particularly impacts medical malpractice, as many of these measures were specific to these types of claims. These attacks on tort reform continue in some states to this day.

Additionally, lawsuits are expensive. Plaintiffs are much better funded and more willing to spend greater amounts to “work up” their cases than ever before. This results in the need for greater expenditures by the defendants to counter plaintiff spending. Like it or not, large healthcare provider groups or corporations are often portrayed as having “deep pockets” and as prioritizing “profits over people.” This negative portrayal may lead juries to ignore the care given by individual healthcare professionals and award large sums to plaintiffs because “the corporation has plenty of money” or to “send a message” to the corporation. The defense team must not only be aware of this risk but must develop strategies to counter it. The multitrillion dollar deficit, the internet billionaire, the $500 million athlete’s salary, the $7 million price tag for a 30-second Super Bowl ad . . . The average American has been desensitized to the value of the dollar. Because the public has become accustomed to these astronomical dollar amounts, jurors may not be offended when the plaintiff demands exorbitant figures at trial, and in fact are more willing than ever to award excessive amounts.

While social inflation isn’t new, recent accelerations mean we’re now seeing larger jury verdicts as well as larger settlement demands. Whether this trend will dissipate remains to be seen, but it is a factor for healthcare providers to consider when they weigh their legal options. The defense team must form a comprehensive counter to plaintiff’s damage allegations and educate the jury on the true value of a dollar.

Strategies for Combating These Challenges

What can be done to mitigate the circumstances in this new era of delayed trials, juror mistrust, and social inflation? The following are some strategies to consider:

• Take advantage of pretrial preparation. The Doctors Company, for example, offers Surviving Litigation Seminars to its members as well as peer support throughout the litigation process.

• Retain an attorney who understands juror predispositions, is on board with selecting experts with whom jurors can identify, and reduces the risk of social inflation by presenting a comprehensive damages defense.

• If you prefer not to go to trial, consider methods of ADR, such as mediation, when warranted by the facts and circumstances of the matter at issue, to facilitate a speedier and perhaps more favorable claim resolution.

• Select a medical malpractice insurer with a proven track record of defending the practice of good medicine rather than turning toward the least expensive route to resolution.

The guidelines suggested here are not rules, do not constitute legal advice, and do not ensure a successful outcome. The ultimate decision regarding the appropriateness of any treatment must be made by each healthcare provider considering the circumstances of the individual situation and in accordance with the laws of the jurisdiction in which the care is rendered.

Annual Membership Celebration

On April 4, after several years of not being able to host this event in person, the CCMA was delighted to offer the opportunity for physicians to gather once again to reconnect, network, and congratulate our honoree. At the event, Dr. Kurt Ransohoff presented Dr. Alex Koper with our 2021 Physician of the Year award for Santa Barbara County.

Thank you to our sponsor

We look forward to seeing you this fall when we honor our 2022 Physician of the Year.

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2022 6:00 PM

Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort’s Rotunda RSVP at www.ccmahealth.org/events

Annual Membership Celebration

On April 7, after several years of not being able to host this event in person, the CCMA was delighted to offer the opportunity for physicians to gather once again to reconnect, network, and congratulate our honoree. At the event, Dr. Paul Georghiou and Dr. Brian Roberts presented Dr. Thomas Hale with our 2021 Physician of the Year award for San Luis Obispo County.

Thank you to our sponsor

We look forward to seeing you this fall when we honor our 2022 Physician of the Year.

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2022 6:00 PM

Madonna Inn’s Secret Garden RSVP at www.ccmahealth.org/events

Eric Rey Amador Andrew Martin Anthony Rollin C Bailey Sharon L Basham Edward Bentley Jeffrey Martin Bloom Rene Henry Bravo Kevin Michael Casey David Charles Dodson Douglas Barrie Duncan Douglas Etsell P Joseph Frawley Jeffrey Charles Fried Priti Gagneja William J Heringer Jennifer Hone Samira Kayumi-Rashti Christopher George

Lumsdaine Douglas Peter Murphy Grace Eunmi Park Michael Paveloff Robert Poulin Christopher Bernal Quijano John Michael Sawyer Joseph Alan Schwartz Noah Stites-Hallett Robert Simpson Wright Steven Zelko

Thank you to CCMA members who have donated to the California Medical Association Political Action Committee (CALPAC)

More than ever, health care in California is highly regulated and legislated, with constant threats to your clinical autonomy. Successful advocacy depends upon an integrated approach utilizing lobbying, grassroots activism and political action through CALPAC. If you want to support candidates and legislators who understand health care, make a donation at www.calpac.org.

Together We Are Stronger

The Central Coast Medical Association and California Medical Association thank the following physicians for membership and support to protect physicians’ profession and patients.

If your name is not on this list, join your colleagues at www.cmadocs.org/join or by contacting us at memberservice@cmadocs.org or 800.786.4262.

Membership list as of July 15, 2022. Every attempt was made to ensure accuracy. If your information is incorrect, please contact us at 805.683.5333 or ccma@ccmahealth.org.

Mark Steven Abate David Abbott Stephen Lee Abbott Shields Brewster Abernathy Thomas Aguirre Hosam Ahmad Daniel Bruce Alfson Hamid Alipour Richard Ira Altesman Samuel Robert Althauser Eric Rey Amador Dela Amoussou Gilbert O Andersen Seth Eli Anderson Jr. Thomas Gerald Anderson Thomas Robert Anderson John Onssy Anis Henning Ansorg Andrew Martin Anthony Joseph Raymond Aragon Jr. Hiwot Hagos Araya Felipe De Jesus Arce Roxana Ardebili Aria Ashir Benton Turner Ashlock Michelle Renee Auran Timothy Leonard Auran Robert Logan Avery Keith Alan Ayrons Wei Bai Bruce R Bailey Rollin C Bailey Dennis Baker Claudia Balderrama Helen Banh Eric Michael Bank James Paul Barbabella Steven Colin Barkley Vida Baron Maria Irmgard Barrows Charish Leann Barry John M Barry H Richard Barthel Sharon L Basham Robert K Baum John A Baumann Thomas L Beamer David L Bearman Andrew Duane Beckler J Kevin Beckmen Michael Jamison Behrman Christel Bejenke Richard A Belkin Jeremy Stephen Bennett Jeoffrey P Benson Edward Bentley James Benzian Daniel Nathan Berger Mica Bergman David A Bernhardt Michael Lewis Bernstein Ryan Scott Berry Tamara Marie Berry Julia Ann Billington Andrew Binder David L Birken Scott Edward Bisheff Jerold Adrian Black Cindy Blifeld Laurel Athena Bliss Jeffrey Martin Bloom Gary M Blum Mark C Bocchicchio Michael Bordofsky Penny Borenstein Jason Edward Boyatt Rabindra Alfred Braganza Sushila Linda Braganza Joel Hershel Brandt Blaine Braniff Stuart Braverman Rene Henry Bravo Daniel Russell Brennan James Gerard Brewer William K Brokken Brittany Alice Bryan Roy Gordon Bryan II Leanne Renee Buckner Daryl Burgess Chadler Ryan Burgoyne Mark E Burnett William E Buys David Alan Canvasser Kevin Michael Casey Alessandro Attilio Castellarin Kristin Nicole Castorino Thomas Clarence Caves James Cavins

Gayle Susan Cekada Julie Adele Chacko Jinny Ei Chang Linda Sian Chen Tyler Chi-Han Cheung Dugald Donald Chisholm Rosa Sung Eun Choi Bernard Chow Katherine Chung Richard Yung Chung Wendy Anne Ciovacco David Thomas Clark Eduardo Enrique Clark Steve Russell Clarke Gregory Alexander Cogert Jessica Ann Cohen-Brown Viktoria R Collatz Catherine Ann Collings Kevin Francis Colton William Charles Conway II Cary Conyers Barry Coughlin Stephen S Couvillion Carin Lynn Craig Daniel F Craviotto Jr. P Kent Cullen Jr. Stephanie Anne Culver David Michael Cumes Daniel Jay Curhan David d'Ablaing Gustavo Dascanio Kenneth Daughters Thomas Daughters Jr. Bret E Davis Charity Anne Dean Philip Delio Jaclyn DeRieux Vincent Pope Derosa Arpan Jitendra Desai Scott Michael Dewhirst Michael Joseph DiBiase Robert Dichmann Benjamin Godfrey Diener Robert G Dionisio David Charles Dodson Alexander Donald Charles Christopher Donner Noemi Caroline Doohan Steven Eric Dosch K Charmian Dresel-Velasquez Bernard J Drury William Henry Dunbar James Timothy Dunn Margaret L Echt James V Egan John Glen Elder Keith Allen Emmons Todd William Engstrom Duard Enoch III Patricia L Erbe Douglas W Erickson Douglas Etsell Julie Cecilia Fallon Ryan James Fante Donald Omar Fareed Todd Fearer Charles C Fenzi Kevin L Ferguson Mary Elina Ferris Robert I Fishburn David Thomas Fisk Cary J Fitchmun Lynn Nisbet Fitzgibbons Donald Joseph Flanigan Christopher Flynn Kristin Elizabeth Fontes Peter G Ford Adam James Forrest Garrett Edwin Foulke P Joseph Frawley Joseph Dreyfuss Freeman George O French Jeffrey Charles Fried Gregory John Frye Richard Fulton Priti Gagneja John W Gainor John Gregory Gaitan William Louis Ganske Bryan Joshua Garber William H Gausman Jr. Jeffrey M Gauvin Connor C Gemmell Mary Steffy Genevieve Andrew Scott Gersoff Brett A Gidney Donald Gillies David S Gillon

Duane Ivan Gillum Rebecca D Golgert William Alan Golgert Robert Lawrence Gong Alicia Mikolaycik Gonzalez Liana Gonzalez Richard Austin Grant Gregory Clay Greaney John C Green Justin Lee Greene Howard Gross Elizabeth Myers Grossman Maryam Guiahi Khawar Gul Mukul Gupta Cory Gusland Gloria Hadsall Jeffrey Matthew Hadsall William Victor Hahn Sawyer Bailey Haig Thomas Walter Hale Saida Hamdani Richard E Hammond Jeffrey Hankoff Laurel Hansch Stephen L Hansen Muhammad Salman Ul Haq Bilal Harake Kathryn Claire Haran Robert D Harbaugh Cristina Renee Harnsberger Marvin Harrah Anna Harter Jacob L Harter Lawrence Phillip Harter Steven Hartzman Robert A Harway Peter Lee Hasler Robert Hawkins Frederick C Heidner II Carl W Hein William J Heringer David Hernandez Jeff Herten Frederic L Hewes Stephen A Hilty Daniel Evans Hinds John Hans Hirschberg David Hirt John David Hobson Walter L Hogan Jr. Bryce Richard Holderness Glenn William Hollingshead Stephen Raymond Holtzman Taylor James Holve Jennifer Hone Karen Lynne Hord Stephen Hosea Benjamin Michael Howard Bruce Howard Barbara A Hrach Angela A Hsu Charles Michael Hubeny Pierre-Alain Hueber Robert Michael Hullander Graham R Hurvitz Heidi Anne Hutchison Laura Louise Hutchison James P Ingersoll Douglas R Jackson Douglas W Jacobson Lauren Elaine Jacobson Robert Jacoby W Blake Jamison Matti Rose Jansen Amie Llerena Jimenez Karen Jensen Johnson James Paul Jones Jr. Thomas Harlow Jones Darol D Joseff Mark Christopher Juretic Bindu M Kamal Francis J Kanofsky Karl Kassity Samira Kayumi-Rashti Kyle Richard Kelson Ryan Francis Kendle Rachel Kernoff Robert Jeffrey Kershaw Tamir H Keshen Case H Ketting John Khan-Variba Sylvia Kim Dale W King C Seybert Kinsell Laszlo Joseph Kiraly Phillip Kissel Robin P Knauss Arthur Law Knight Bradley C Knox Oma Christine Knox Brian Koch Roger Kohn Robert A Kolarczyk Garry Richard Kolb Karen S Kolba Ernest Thomas Kolendrianos Alex Koper II Tatyana Kopilova Hannah Wilks Kornfeld Jennifer B Kosek Kenneth S Kosik Daniel Jon Kostalnick Brent Kovacs

Elizabeth Ingrid Krenz Kenneth Dale Krone Bradley Shawn Kurgis Jeffrey Steven Kurz Christopher Kuzminski Anh Tuan Lam Christopher V Lambert Stefan Martin Lampe Roger I Lane David LaPatka Jeremy William Lash Ronald Latimer Ann Miehyung Lee Arthur Lee Eunice Suejin Lee Wonuk Lee Kyle Worthington Lemon Stephen Lemon Susan Lemon David Ross Lerner Winifred K Leung Walter M Lewis Danny Leroy Lickness Myron Israel Liebhaber Grace Xiao'en Lim Steven Seth Lipman Anne E Little Keith Llewellyn Morgan Lloyd Robert G Logan Thomas S Lossing Laurence Hamilton Lotz Adam D Lowenstein Miguel Angel Loya Gary Michael Lucchesi Bryant Jay Lum George Philip Lum Christopher George Lumsdaine Kurt Franklin Lundquist Tomas Manuel Machin Richard Joseph Macias Robert Christian Maciel Cory Anderson Malone Robin Elizabeth Malone- Cunnison Laurence Mamlet David Adam Mandel Kateryna Markova Kari K Mathison Rachel May David L McAninch III John McCaffery James Michael Mccullagh Edward J McGinn Terrance Ronald McGovern Stanley Eugene Mclain Jr. Lowell McLellan James McNamara David Medina Arnold Medved Anthony Mendesh Marilyn Mendoza Andrew Francis Mester Toni Takiko Meyers Randall G Michel Monica Micon Kelli Jean Miller Richard Miller James F Mitchell Jr. N Nicole Moayeri James Allen Moghtader Arthur Morel Alexander Eduard Morf Peter Morris Billy W Mounts Karen Moyes Ralph Mozingo Jamil Suheil Muasher Douglas Peter Murphy Robert M Nagy Ma'an Aziz Nasir Gregg Charles Newman Ted B Newman Joann Ng Dung-Hoa Thi Nguyen Charles H Nicholson Sara Taylor Nimmons Pierre Nizet George Terry Northrop Mead Fredrick Northrop Joseph A Nunez David Ernest Nunnelly Dina Obed William Kiernan O'callaghan Thomas Ochsner Arbi George Ohanian Robert W Olson Michael Jon Omlid

James F Oroark Kevin C Osburn Stanley Ostern Robert J Ottoboni William Michael Pace Alicia Guevara Page Grace Eunmi Park David Paul Michael Paveloff Nancy A Pawlik Steven Pearson Meredith Ann Perrin Timothy J Perrin Monica Renee Phillips David Lockard Phreaner Dante Joseph Pieramici David C Pires Paul H Pobor Laura Elizabeth Polito Michael Isidro Polo Theodore Polos Mark Ford Pomerantz Richard S Ponce Arashdeep Singh Poonia Abraham Isaac Potolsky Robert Poulin Christian Harrington Powell Elliot Prager Liza Presser Belkin Robert Houston Price George Primbs Jason J Prystowsky Christopher Bernal Quijano Ralph Quijano William Rack Bruce D Ragsdale Anita Rai Beverly Joy Sanson Ramos Susanne Lucille Ramos Kurt N Ransohoff Rahim Ali Raoufi David Aaron Raphael Karim Rasheed Pedram Rashti Thomas Reaper Cinnamon Hampikian Redd Jason M Redd Graham Neilson Reimer Robert Julius Reiner Juan Reynoso Donald Rhodes Mark G Richmond Jonathan Lee Riegler Sylvia Cristina Rivera Casey Nicole Rives Brian Michael Roberts H Douglas Roberts Gene A Robinson James Johlin Robinson Joseph Andrew Robinson Timothy Leigh Rodgers Anne O'meara Rodriguez Hector Pedro Rodriguez Thomas George Ronay Margot Roseman Frederick Semenov Rosen Joaquin Roses Daniel Roshan Andrew Gregory Ross Barry J Ross Stephanie Joy Rothman Lewis Rubin Lynn A Rudman Rebecca Lynn Ruebsamen Andria Ruth Robert Merrill Ruth Paul Ryack Jeffrey Seymour Sager Dustin Gabriel Sanchez Karl Sandin Brian David Santacrose Mananya Satayaprasert River Liuyuan Saul John Michael Sawyer Matthew Bennett Scales Philip Scheinberg Carl Schlosser Brian R Schnier Wesley G Schooler Helen C Schulz Joseph Alan Schwartz Mary-Louise Scully Stuart Douglas Segal Roberta D Sengelmann Colin David Shafer Ayesha Shaikh William A Shapiro William Sheehan Michael Mourad Shenoda Anthony W Sheplay Virginia Ann Siegfried Mark Lewis Silverberg John Sim Manu Kush Singh Clinton Andrew Slaughter Gilbert Slutzky Margaux Kelly Snider Sean Snodgress Mark Ian Soll Marta Sovilj Timothy M Spiegel Cameron James St Hilaire Mareeni T Stanislaus Donald Larry Stanton

Kenneth Glenn Starr Nathan Christopher Steinle Nicole Gaye Stern Dustin Erin Stevenson Noah Stites-Hallett Monica Leigh Straatmann Gary Strachan Cathy Anne Straits David Strumpf Wonsuk Warren Suh Camilla Robinson Sulak Mark Wayne Surrey Gerald Svedlow Paul John Swedberg Sasha Lynn Szytel Victor Andrew Tacconelli Julie A Taguchi Reyna Maria Talanian Sara Taroumian Dominic John Tedesco Stefan Robert Teitge Heather Irene Terbell Ashley Ann Thorsell Christopher John Thrash Scott Baringer Tobis Casey John Toole Mandana A Toole Emma Towslee Michael Trambert Rachel Elisabeth Trautwein Pansy Tsang Kenyon Tsao Vincent C Tubiolo Dale Amanda Tylor Nedeljko Jakov Uncanin Jr. Ronald G Ungerer Jon R Uyesaka Gary Van Deventer Thomas Van Meter Nicholas Vasiloff Fred Steve Vernacchia Rafael Sollesa Victoria Jr. Elyor Vidal Robert J Vitt John HK Vogel Justin Craig Voog John Vowels Bruce J Walker Martin Walker Meghan Maureen Wallman Philip Ka Chun Wan Sharon Evelyn Watson Alex J Weinstein Marc W Weise Thomas Weisenburger Brandon Marshall Welbourn Mary Elizabeth Welch J Patrick Wheelock Gregory Hammond Whitcher Anne White Gilbert L White Richard Wikholm Barry Williams Carl Williams Matthew Akira Williams Richard C Williams Judith Willis Paul Willis Avery May Kenyon Wilmanns Brett Wilson II George Garland Wilson Jay Michael Winner Stuart Robert Winthrop John D Wrench Robert Simpson Wright Edmund M Wroblewski Michael L Wyatt Steven Yao Jeffrey Bernard Yim John Yoon Hsien Cheng Young Steven H Young Eddy Yu Stephanie Patricia Zamora Steven Zelko Marc Zerey David Abram Zisman James Conard Zmolek

Dr. Kurt Ransohoff (left) and Dr. Alex Koper (right)

The Central Coast Medical Association honors physicians who have worked to improve the quality of health care, contributed to the education of other physicians, and engaged in community service and other activities outside of medicine.

San Luis Obispo County Thomas W. Hale, MD

The Central Coast Medical Association honored Thomas W. Hale, MD, as the 2021 Physician of the Year for San Luis Obispo County at the Annual Membership Celebration in April at the Madonna Inn.

Those who nominated Dr. Hale stated his dedication, leadership, and compassion made him an exemplary candidate for Physician of the Year. Dr. Hale worked in San Luis Obispo County for nearly 40 years as an emergency medicine physician with Central Coast Emergency Physicians until his retirement at the end of 2021. During this time, Dr. Hale served as Chief of Staff at Twin Cities Community Hospital, committee member for the San Luis Obispo EMSA Emergency Medical Care Committee, member of the County Health Commission, and director with the San Luis Obispo County Medical Association and Central Coast Medical Association. He volunteered as a community physician for countless events such as school physical exams, anti-drunk driving campaigns, and community health fairs. One of his longest volunteer leadership roles has been as the physician director of the medical tent for the Wildflower Triathlon since 1994.

The specialty of emergency medicine was in its early years when Dr. Hale and a few other physicians created the first group of residency-trained, board-certified emergency doctors in San Luis Obispo County. After moving from Nebraska, Dr. Hale helped create unprecedented standard of care in this young field of emergency medicine, which included recruiting and retaining many new physicians to the area, and directly caring for approximately 100,000 emergency patients. Most significantly, Dr. Hale is credited with helping to develop a coordinated trauma system for San Luis Obispo County. One of his colleagues wrote, “Dr. Hale has not only bettered the lives of many San Luis Obispo residents since starting his career in our community over 35 years ago, but he has bettered the local health care system as well.”

During their animated presentation, Drs. Paul Georghiou and Brian Roberts spoke about Dr. Hale's contributions as a mentor in emergency medicine. His level-headedness, work ethic, compassion, and integrity helped guide his colleagues, and the dividends of his leadership and influence are now spread far and wide.

When accepting his award, Dr. Hale stated he was honored and humbled. He expressed his gratitude for being surrounded by incredible doctors, nurses, administrators, and other medical professionals, and he felt blessed for spending his career in one place. Now that he is retired, he looks forward to spending time with his family, especially his grandsons.

Santa Barbara County Alex Koper II, MD

The Central Coast Medical Association honored Alex Koper II, MD, as the 2021 Physician of the Year for Santa Barbara County at the Annual Membership Celebration in April at the Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort.

Dr. Koper graduated medical school and completed his residency in urology at the University of California, Los Angeles. He then went on to an internship in general surgery at Stanford University Medical Center, followed by a followship in urology at the London Hospital Medical College in England.

Dr. Koper was nominated by his colleagues for being an outstanding individual, for serving his community and patients with enthusiasm, pride, and commitment, and for his leadership and mentorship for the next generation of urologists. Those who nominated Dr. Koper stated he provides outstanding care to patients of all ages, and multiple physicians specifically mentioned his work with pediatric patients, even when he’s not on call, and how he carries stickers in his pockets for them. Sansum Clinic physicians shared he was very welcoming when they joined the group, and how he took time to get to know them on a personal level. A fellow urologist stated, “He has worked throughout his career, and especially the last year, to improve the quality of care in our region, and I can think of no better candidate deserving of this award!”

Dr. Koper has served on the board of directors with Sansum Santa Barbara Medical Clinic, Cottage Health, and Santa Barbara County Medical Society. He is currently practicing with Sansum Clinic, where he’s been a physician for 41 years. During his presentation, Dr. Kurt Ransohoff spoke about Dr. Koper’s humility and desire to give back to the community, which includes 40 years at the county clinic.

Dr. Koper said he felt lucky to be a doctor in this community, as he accepted his award, and he was deeply honored. He thanked multiple physicians, including a mentor, Morgan Lloyd, MD, who was in the audience. Dr. Koper also recognized his family, especially his wife, Judi, in which he stated the best decision of his life was to marry her.

Join us when we honor our 2022 Physicians of the Year.

Thursday, September 29 in Santa Barbara Friday, September 30 in San Luis Obispo

ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY SHINES A NEW LIGHT IN CANCER DETECTION

TENET HEALTH CENTRAL COAST IS THE FIRST IN SLO COUNTY TO OFFER BLUE LIGHT CYSTOSCOPY

Tenet Health Central Coast is proud to announce that it is the only healthcare organization in San Luis Obispo County to offer Blue Light Cystoscopy with Cysview, a proven and innovative approach to treating bladder cancer.

While other cancers, such as lung, prostate, pancreatic and breast cancers are more well known, because of their higher incidence rate, bladder cancer is a significant concern in the United States as it is at a higher rate than the world average. Not only is bladder cancer over four times more common in men than women, and is the third most common cancer in men in the United States, it is one of the top ten causes of cancer-related deaths in the U.S.

Moreover, bladder cancer is a costly, potentially progressive disease for which patients often have to undergo multiple cystoscopies due to the high risk of recurrence. The recurrence issue created an urgent need to improve the existing diagnostic procedures.

Typically, when symptoms and blood tests suggest bladder cancer, doctors perform a visual inspection of the interior wall of the bladder using a cystoscope — a thin tube with a light and video camera on the end — in a procedure called a cystoscopy that uses white light.

However, as the name suggests, with Blue Light Cystoscopy, doctors use a cystoscope equipped with both white and blue light. Before the procedure, a special contrast solution – not a dye – is inserted into the bladder. This makes the cancer cells glow bright fluorescent pink in blue light and stand out against the blue of the healthy tissue.

This creates a dramatically more precise improvement of the visualization and detection of the cancer lesions. A biopsy of any abnormal areas is taken to confirm if there is cancer in those spots.

Using this advanced technology helps physicians find instances of bladder cancer, especially small or flat tumors, more quickly and efficiently than before. Importantly, it also offers enhanced removal of bladder tumors when they are discovered. Cancer cells that may have not been detected may be identified. Additionally, the cancerous lesions that are found can be more thoroughly removed to try to prevent spreading in the future.

In fact, the specialized team of physicians that can provide the procedure at Tenet Health Central Coast’s Sierra Vista Regional Medical Center discovered a previously-undetected lesion in one of the first procedures performed in the county. Being able to detect and resect for biopsy leads to fewer recurrences of bladder cancer and has the added benefit of improved information to use to create a care plan going forward.

The importance of this cutting-edge technology was confirmed late last year, by Dr. Patrick Lewicki of Cornell University, which found that the BLC is underutilized, despite the procedure being a recommended guideline to reduce recurrence of cancer.

The impact of the pandemic has delayed doctor visits, which has led to a decrease in screenings and a large impact on cancer screenings and treatment in particular. Unfortunately, that delay in screening and diagnosis means that cancers have advanced further and there is more difficulty in treating them. That is why Blue Light Cystoscopy is so important to help detect cancer accurately and early.

At Tenet Health Central Coast, our physician teams using innovative technology are here to help.