Cardiologist Alleges Hospital Is Profiling Him

COURT HOUSE — A local cardiologist claims he’s being unfairly targeted by officials at the county’s only hospital because of his race and outspoken nature regarding patient care.
Dr. Suketu Nanavati, a staff cardiologist at Cape Regional Medical Center and owner of the Cape Heart Clinic, shared with the Herald a copy of a letter and questionnaire that were distributed to hospital staff members by Dr. Richard Falivena, vice president of medical affairs at the medical center.
When asked for its response, the hospital cited confidentiality of the matter, and stated it could not comment further.
The letter asks staff members to complete a PULSE (Physician Universal Leadership Skills Education) program survey “so that Nanavati can receive feedback about his leadership style.”
Some of the things the survey asks are whether Nanavati:
• Treats team members with respect
• Is open to suggestions
• Is truthful and straightforward
• Admits when wrong
• Communicates clear requests, explanations and expectations
• Unfairly “badmouths” the facility, unit or colleagues
• Overreacts and defensive to suggestions
• Arrogantly demands things be done their way, not saying why
• Talks down to team members
• Uses offensive gestures when angry, such as rolls eyes, glares
• Yells or swears at team members
• When angry at others, implies or threatens retaliation
• Intentionally embarrasses team members in front of others
• Makes inappropriate and unwanted sexual comments/gestures
• Makes prejudiced comments or acts discriminatory
• Bangs or throws things when angry or frustrated
• Made some team members intimidated or nervous
• Discouraged others from asking important questions
Nanavati told the Herald that he feels that this survey is “racial profiling” and discrimination against him. He said it was against hospital by-laws.
“I feel horrible, like there’s a target on my back,” Nanavati said.
He said this round of discrimination is worse than what he experienced in the 1980s, when he and the hospital (formerly Burdette Tomlin Memorial) went through state and federal courts costing both himself and the hospital hundreds of thousands, if not millions of dollars in legal fees.
Nanavati said the hospital told him it would be conducting the survey and asked him if he wanted to participate. He said he refused because he knew their intentions — to silence him and to stop him from questioning the quality of care at the hospital.
“Silencing me did not work 30 years ago and it will not work now,” Nanavati said. “Because we are talking about people’s lives, not some commodity.”
Nanavati said Falivena told him the survey was part of a “disruptive physician” process to which the hospital was committed. When the surveys come back, hospital officials will sit down with Nanavati, review the results and develop an action plan to bring his behaviors in line with those of other physicians, Nanavati said.
After receiving this information from Nanavati, the Herald asked the hospital the following questions:
• Has the hospital ever conducted a PULSE survey before on one of its physicians?
• Aside from Dr. Nanavati, is a survey being conducted on any other doctors at this time?
• What are some of the behaviors that Dr. Nanavati exhibits that make him a disruptive doctor?
• Have those behaviors affected the quality of his care for patients?
• Do any other doctors exhibit those behaviors? If so, why are they not being surveyed?
• With the likelihood of litigation resulting from this action and its associated costs, do you think it’s worth it for the hospital to proceed?
The hospital issued the following:
“This matter is the subject of the Medical Staff peer review process. It is the policy of Cape Regional Medical Center and its Medical Staff to maintain all peer review matters in a confidential fashion, therefore we are not at liberty to discuss this matter.”
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