Physician Stairs sues former colleagues
A Greensburg physician has filed a defamation lawsuit against two local dermatologists, alleging they intentionally harmed his reputation after he decided to establish a practice.
Dr. Brian Jess Stairs has sued Drs. Regis McHugh and Jeffrey Wolff, and their practice, Westmoreland Dermatology Associates of Greensburg. Stairs was employed by the operation from 2005 until recently.
The lawsuit cites an April 19 letter written on behalf of Westmoreland Dermatology to advise patients that Stairs no longer was associated with the group. The letter states Stairs does not hold "official training in dermatology" and "he is not a dermatologist as of yet."
Stairs, an osteopathic physician, is certified to practice family medicine and has privileges at Excela Health, according to state licensing board records and Excela spokesperson Robin Jennings.
Doctors of osteopathic medicine are physicians who receive specialty training in the art and science of musculoskeletal therapy and total-person wellness. Like those who have earned traditional medical degrees, many osteopathic physicians go on to practice specialized medicine. To gain board certification in any specialty, a physician must complete a residency program in that specialty and pass oral and written exams by a certifying board. Dermatologists are certified by the American Board of Dermatology.
The suit indicates Stairs is not a board-certified dermatologist, but completed a 30-month dermatology fellowship and worked in a dermatological practice in Hazleton, Luzerne County, where he treated 12,000 patients.
Stairs has announced plans to open a practice "limited to dermatology within the Center for Cosmetic and Plastic Surgery" in Greensburg, according to ads running in the Tribune-Review.
When contacted by phone, Stairs said the letter circulated by his former employer is a "defamatory attempt to keep patients from following me to my new practice."
"Everything I said in the ad is true," he added, before referring further questions to his attorney, Larry Kerr, who declined to comment.
Stairs' suit also alleges that McHugh and Wolff knew he was not board certified when he joined their practice and went on to treat another 12,000 patients.
"Dr. Wolff and Dr. McHugh were favorably impressed with Dr. Stairs' academic credentials and job experience and felt he was qualified and competent to treat dermatology patients ... even though he was not a board-certified dermatologist," the suit states.
McHugh, who is a board-certified dermatologist, said yesterday that Stairs held himself out to be a dermatologist when he wasn't.
"He was willing to let the situation give him the mantle of being a dermatologist without actually being one," McHugh said.
"We didn't misrepresent him," McHugh added. "Legally and ethically, he can practice within the field of dermatology, but not as a dermatologist. He can do that as long as he shows he's adequate in those areas."
He said Stairs rebuffed his suggestions that he obtain further training so he could become board certified in the specialty.
The professional relationship began to sour, according to the lawsuit, when Stairs began referring patients to the Center for Cosmetic and Plastic Surgery, where he now is accepting patients.
The lawsuit contends that when the defendants learned Stairs was leaving their practice, McHugh and Wolff began to retaliate against him.
The suit alleges Stairs' office was searched and that McHugh and Wolff became "vindictive and threatened" to tell patients that Stairs was not board certified in dermatology. He also alleges they ordered a nurse to accompany Stairs on patient examinations.
Stairs, who is the son of state Rep. Jess Stairs, of Acme, is a graduate of Penn State University and the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. He completed a residency in family medicine at the former St. Francis Medical Center in Pittsburgh.
