BELLINGHAM, Wash. – The long-time ER doctor fired by PeaceHealth for claiming St. Joseph Medical Center was putting staff and patients in danger is firing back.
Dr. Ming Lin was relieved of his duties in March after he repeatedly claimed on social media Bellingham’s hospital was not adequately planning for or protecting staff and patients from the coronavirus.
The Seattle Times reports he has now filed a lawsuit against PeaceHealth, its CEO and the hospital staffing company that employed
Lawyers with the ACLU are supporting Lin in the suit seeking damages and his reinstatement.
A spokesperson for PeaceHealth released a statement to KGMI stating Dr. Lin was taken off the work schedule because he didn’t use proper reporting channels, and his actions were disruptive and helped create “fear and anxiety.”
The hospital says the safety of patients and staff is their “singular focus.”
Here is the full statement from PeaceHealth:
“We have been clear in stating that PeaceHealth asked TeamHealth, the contracted emergency medicine provider for PeaceHealth St. Joseph Medical Center, to remove Dr. Lin from the ED schedule because he chose to not use designated safety reporting channels, and his actions were disruptive, compromised collaboration in the midst of a crisis and contributed to the creation of fear and anxiety among staff and the community. The safety of our caregivers and patients in our facilities has been, and remains today, our singular focus.”