Retaliation Against Physicians - Deane Hillsman, MD Hillsman v. Sutter Community Hospitals In this case, the plaintiff-appellant, Dr. Hillsman, sued Sutter Community Hospitals for an alleged violation of the written agreement under which plaintiff was allegedly employed as a full-time, hospital-based physician. On July 29, 1991, CMA filed an amicus curiae brief in the California Court of Appeal, Third Dist., in support of Dr. Hillsman. CMA’s brief asked the court to hold that retaliation against physicians and other individuals who advocate appropriate compliance with medical standards and protest deviations from those standards by termination of medical staff privileges is an action that is contrary to both the law and public policy. Outcome: The Court of Appeal agreed with CMA and reversed the Superior Court’s decision, finding for Dr. Hillsman in an unpublished decision. Read CMA Amicus Brief