SAL OBGYN WINS ROUND S.S.

THE 6TH DISTRICT COURT OF APPEALS HAS RULED IN FAVOR OF A SALINAS OBSTETRICIAN. THEY SAID THAT SALINAS VALLEY MEMORIAL HEALTHCARE ERRED WHEN IT HIRED A RETIRED APPELLATE COURT JUDGE TO PRESIDE OVER A HEARING IN WHICH DOCTOR NIZAR YAQUB?S HOSPITAL PRIVILEGES WERE REVOKED. THE RETIRED JUDGE REPORTEDLY HAD CONNECTIONS TO THE HOSPITAL THAT COULD PUT HIS RULING IN QUESTION. THE JUSTICES IN THE 6TH DISTRICT COURT OF APPEALS SAID THE QUESTION WAS NOT
?WHETHER THE JUDGE IS ACTUALLY BIASED, BUT WHETHER A PERSON (AWARE OF THE FACTS) MIGHT REASONABLY ENTERTAIN A DOUBT THAT THE JUDGE WOULD BE ABLE TO ACT WITH INTEGRITY, IMPARTIALITY, AND COMPETENCE? .
THE PRECEDENT-SETTING RULING ESTABLISHES GUIDELINES THAT JURISDICTIONS AND AGENCIES MUST FOLLOW, IN ENSURING THE IMPARTIALITY OF HEARING OFFICERS. SALINAS VALLEY MEMORIAL HOSPITAL NOW HAS THE OPTION OF REINSTATING YAQUB, OR HOLDING A NEW DISCIPLINARY HEARING FOR HIM.