King County Superior Court Judge Ken Schubert confirmed the $17.5 million awarded to former Seattle-based Swedish Health neurosurgeon David Newell, MD, in September, The Seattle Times reports.
Here are five things to know:
1. Arbitrator Paris Kallas awarded Dr. Newell $16.5 million for lost earnings and $1 million for emotional distress. The case saw Dr. Newell saying Swedish Health fired him in 2016 because he brought forth concerns about Johnny Delashaw, MD. Dr. Delashaw resigned from his post as chair of the Swedish Neuroscience Institute on the Cherry Hill campus in March, amid a state health regulatory investigation into complaints filed against him.
2. Dr. Newell said he filed concerns about Dr. Delashaw, claiming the neurosurgeon was taking over some of his work as well as trying to "dismantle his practice and harass him," reports The Seattle Times.
3. Following the arbitration ruling, Swedish Health appealed. The health system attributed Dr. Newell's firing to failing to disclose his arrest in relation to a Seattle prostitution sting in 2016. Swedish Health argued this action broke Dr. Newell's contract, which states an employee must tell the organization if he/she is under "criminal investigation." Further, the health system argued the $16.5 million for lost earnings is inaccurate.
4. Additionally, Judge Schubert confirmed the $685,000 award that mandates Swedish Health and its parent organization Providence pay the case's attorney fees and costs.
5. Swedish Health CEO Guy Hudson, MD, told The Seattle Times, they will appeal the ruling.