Former Seattle-based Swedish Health neurosurgeon Johnny Delashaw, MD, has been suspended from practicing medicine in Washington state, according to The Seattle Times.
Here are six things to know:
1. State health regulators began investigating Dr. Delashaw and Swedish Neuroscience Institute at Cherry Hill in February after several complaints were lodged against him.
2. After joining Cherry Hill in 2013, Dr. Delashaw brought in 661 inpatient cases, netting the hospital $86 million within his first 16 months.
3. His production led to a promotion despite complaints he had created a negative workplace culture. Additional concerns regarded patient care, inappropriate surgeries and a lack of accountability.
4. Dr. Delashaw resigned from his post as chair of Swedish Neuroscience Institute on March 1, 2017. It's unclear if he has practiced since stepping down, according to The Seattle Times report.
5. The Medical Quality Assurance Commission suspended Dr. Delashaw's license effective immediately, attributing its decision to "an immediate threat to the public health and safety," according to The Seattle Times report.
6. Dr. Delashaw has 20 days to respond to the chargers and request a hearing; he can't practice in Washington until resolving the charges.
Dr. Delashaw's attorney Carol Sue Janes said in the report, "It is unfortunate that the Commission took this one-sided action without giving Dr. Delashaw any opportunity to present the opposing evidence."
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