Doctor says Missouri hospital called him ‘IMMEDIATE THREAT TO THE PUBLIC.’ He’s suing

A Missouri hospital is accused of labeling a cardiologist an “IMMEDIATE THREAT TO THE PUBLIC” on an online data bank used by medical professionals, causing the doctor’s reputation to suffer.

Dr. Keesag Baron, a Springfield cardiologist, sued Lester E. Cox Medical Centers and Ferrell-Duncan Clinic (FDC) for defamation, interference with a business relationship and violation of the Sherman Act.

Baron worked for Cox and the clinic up until 2008, when he left to open his own practice, according to the lawsuit. He still maintained staff privileges with the hospital, meaning he could admit patients and even perform some treatments.

The cardiologist would occasionally refer his patients to Cox and the clinic, according to the lawsuit, but the hospital pressured him to send it all of his referrals. Baron referred patients based on “where he believed they would receive the best care,” according to the lawsuit.

Due to Baron’s decision to refer patients to doctors outside of Cox and the clinic, according to the lawsuit, the hospital was “looking for opportunities” to remove his staff privileges.

Through a peer-review process, Cox and the clinic cited a case where an 88-year-old died as reason to remove Baron’s privileges, according to the lawsuit. As a result, some of Baron’s patients had to find a new doctor because his practice was no longer covered by their health insurance.

Baron “had an opportunity to present his side of the situation,” Cox and FDC’s attorney Kent Hyde told McClatchy News.” It didn’t turn out the way he wanted.” The lawsuit did not list when the peer-review process occurred.

Hyde added that the peer-review process used by Cox and the clinic is common at hospitals throughout the country.

In 2022, the hospital made a report to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, saying Baron had “behavior issues with lack of insight including refusal to accept responsibility” and accusing him of falsifying medical records, according to the lawsuit.

The report to the department’s data bank also called Baron an “IMMEDIATE THREAT TO THE PUBLIC,” according to the lawsuit.

The lawsuit said these statements were “defamatory” and damaged the doctor’s reputation.

The lawsuit alleges the hospital violated the Sherman Antitrust Act, which is designed to block monopolies and keep competition between businesses.

Cox and the clinic’s comments to the Department of Health and Human Services and removal of staff privileges was “intentionally designed to suppress and/or terminate competition,” according to the lawsuit.

Baron is seeking compensation for the alleged damages, though an exact amount was not listed.



Springfield is about a 160-mile drive southeast of Kansas City.

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