Neurosurgeon Loses Appeal Over Allegedly Tainted Peer Review

Minnesota health-care providers defeated a neurosurgeon’s attempt to revive his lawsuit over allegedly defamatory statements made during a peer review process, as state and federal law immunized them from liability, a federal appeals court said.

Gregory Sherr didn’t show HealthEast Care System or its spine care peer review committee members were motivated by malice when initiating, conducting, and testifying at proceedings that resulted in the suspension of his medical staff privileges, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit said.

The court affirmed summary judgment for the hospital and committee members.

Minnesota’s peer review law gives hospitals and participants ...