In a recent development, doctors outside of the Erlanger Healthcare System based in Chattanooga, Tenn., Are expressing concern over the removal of Chris Young, MD, from his roles as administrator and chief of staff, according to the Chattanooga Times Free Press.

Fifteen leading physicians on the board of directors of the Chattanooga and Hamilton County Medical Society expressed their concerns in a letter sent earlier in November to the Erlanger board of directors and management in Erlanger.

In the letter, which was obtained by the Free Press Hours, executives said the relationship between the board of directors and Erlanger’s medical staff has “become a subject of enormous concern and conversation” among doctors in the community, the newspaper reported.

“Our board includes a diverse group of physicians who are deeply concerned about the perceived loss of autonomy of salaried and independent medical staff, forcing us to document our concerns,” the letter said, according to the Free Press Hours. “This situation is compounded because the physician in question is arguably one of the state’s most respected medical leaders and has willingly devoted his time and much of his career to the Erlanger healthcare system.”

According to the newspaper, the letter from the medical company also states that “the action taken by the board of directors has the potential to create fear and mistrust among physicians which are most essential to the success of every hospital and can undermine the voice of the doctors in concerning the ways. “

The board of directors of the Chattanooga-Hamilton County Hospital Authority, which governs the Erlanger health system, voted on October 28 to remove Dr. Young from his role as administrator as well as his role as chief firm in Erlanger over allegations that he breached his fiduciary duty by sharing unspecified confidential information.

Dr. Young is an anesthesiologist at ACE Anesthesia in Chattanooga. He is hired to provide anesthesia services to Erlanger and became chief of staff and member of the board of directors in January. The director of Erlanger’s cabinet, who also acts as an administrator, is elected by doctors who work or are privileged in the health system. Erlanger said his removal from the post of chief of staff does not prevent him from practicing at Erlanger. Prior to assuming the position of Chief of Staff, Dr Young was Deputy Chief of Staff at Erlanger. He is also a delegate of the American Medical Association.

In an Erlanger statement shared with Becker on November 1, health system officials said the council “is taking no action without giving due consideration to one of its most valuable partnerships – medical staff. With that in mind, the council hopes members of the medical personnel and others with questions will understand and understand that the Board would not have taken action if it had not been factually obligated to ensure that the Board continues to fulfill its fiduciary obligations to Erlanger. “

Dr. Young, in an emailed statement to Free Press Hours after the October meeting, said he “finds[s] the process of board action is troubling in that I was never made aware of the specific allegation against me nor had the opportunity to address the board in person. “

A spokesperson for Erlanger board chairman Jim Coleman said in an email to the newspaper that the board “responded immediately” to the medical company’s concerns in a letter sent on the 24th. November.

The letter, which was obtained by the Free Press Hours, states: “Although it is distinct from a physician’s duty to his or her patients, each trustee has a legal and professional duty to [Erlanger] as a trustee. These duties require the board to investigate and act on matters brought to its attention, and these same duties sometimes prevent the board from disclosing private information even to valuable partners such as medical staff (or anyone other than the trustees and legal advisers). While the board did not expect to be in this unfortunate situation, the board had an obligation to act in a manner consistent with these duties and in the best interests of the hospital. “

The letter from the board of directors also states that the directors welcome “the continued feedback, collaboration and commitment from the medical company,” according to the newspaper.

Erlanger Deputy Chief of Staff Chris Poole, MD, who served as Erlanger’s Medical Staff Secretary before taking on the Vice Chief position, replaces Dr Young in his roles as Chief of Staff and Administrator .

Access the full report here.