Former Seattle-based Swedish Neuroscience Institute chairman Johnny Delashaw, MD, lost his license in May 2017. After seeking appeals, the neurosurgeon got his license back; however, getting a job has remained a challenge, according to The Daily News.
Here are seven things to know:
1. In May 2017, the Washington Medical Commission deemed Dr. Delashaw was "an immediate threat to public health and safety," stripping him of his ability to practice. The decision to do so was based on the neurosurgeon's alleged behavior toward nurses in 2015.
2. Dr. Delashaw claims his reputation and his medical license were taken from him after a series of stories from the The Seattle Times questioned the neurosurgeon's leadership capabilities. Dr. Delashaw has since filed a libel and defamation lawsuit against the newspaper and his former colleague Charles Cobbs, MD.
3. Dr. Delashaw was not practicing at the time of his suspension. He filed an appeal and has denied all allegations. In July, the medical commission reinstated Dr. Delashaw's license to practice in Washington.
4. Additionally, the neurosurgeon was required to undergo an evaluation and pay a $10,000 fine. He has completed the evaluation and plans to appeal the fine.
5. After the Washington Medical Commission suspended his license, Dr. Delashaw claims California and Alaska followed suit and stripped Dr. Delashaw of his ability to practice.
6. Since his license was reinstated, Dr. Delashaw has applied for around 20 hospital jobs with no luck. He plans to perform surgery overseas as charitable work. He will remain under administrative oversight for at least three years.
7. Dr. Delashaw earned his medical degree from Seattle-based University of Washington School of Medicine. He spent 20 years at Portland-based Oregon Health and Science University before becoming chief of neurosurgery at Orange-based UC Irvine Medical Center in 2013.