North Shore Health Board schedules second special closed session to explore legal action
The North Shore Health Board scheduled a second special closed session meeting at 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 9, to resume litigation discussions regarding defamatory statements made against the hospital and board members.
The Jan. 9 special meeting closed session agenda states: The meeting will be closed as permitted by the attorney-client privilege, Minn. Stat. § 13D.05, subdivision 3 (b), to discuss legal strategy for responding to threatened litigation against the members of the board and proceeding with a lawsuit for damages related to defamatory statements made against the hospital; pursuant to Minn. Stat. §145.64 subd. 1(d) to discuss decisions, recommendations, deliberations, or documentation of a Review Organization; and pursuant to Minn. Stat. §144.581, subd. 5, which permits closure to discuss marketing activity and contracts related to the Hospital’s competitive position with other health care providers that offer similar services.
The North Shore Health Board held the first special closed meeting to explore litigation regarding defamatory statements made against the hospital on Dec. 5, 2023.
When WTIP asked, following the Dec. 5 special meeting, if the North Shore Health Board was planning to take legal action regarding defamatory statements made against the hospital, Board Chair Kay Olson said, “The Board received legal advice about the Board’s legal options and strategies relating to such statements and any future defamatory statements against the hospital. This will be a continuing conversation.”
The North Shore Health Board has not yet set a date to address growing community concerns following the end of Dr. Bruce Dahlman’s contract with Wapiti Medical Group to staff the Emergency Department at North Shore Health. His contract with Wapiti Medical Group ended on Nov. 1, 2023.
When WTIP asked, following the regular Dec. 21 board meeting, if the North Shore Health Board had settled on a date to address growing community concerns, Olson told WTIP, “We are trying to finalize a date in January.”
Kalli Hawkins January 5, 2024
