Baker v. University Physicians Healthcare, Wittman, Arizona Board of Regents , 228 Ariz. 587 ( 2012 )

FILED BY CLERK
FEB 22 2012
IN THE COURT OF APPEALS COURT OF APPEALS
STATE OF ARIZONA DIVISION TWO
DIVISION TWO
ROBERT BAKER, on behalf of ) 2 CA-CV 2011-0080
himself and all those entitled to recover ) DEPARTMENT A
for the death of TARA BAKER, )
) OPINION
Plaintiff/Appellant, )
)
v. )
)
UNIVERSITY PHYSICIANS )
HEALTHCARE, an Arizona corporation; )
BRENDA J. WITTMAN, M.D. and JOHN )
DOE WITTMAN, wife and husband; )
ARIZONA BOARD OF REGENTS )
doing business as UNIVERSITY OF )
ARIZONA COLLEGE OF MEDICINE, )
)
Defendants/Appellees. )
)
APPEAL FROM THE SUPERIOR COURT OF PIMA COUNTY
Cause No. C20097222
Honorable Richard Gordon, Judge
VACATED AND REMANDED
Law Office of JoJene Mills, P.C.
By JoJene E. Mills Tucson
Attorney for Plaintiff/Appellant
Campbell, Yost, Clare & Norell, P.C.
By Stephen C. Yost Phoenix
Attorneys for Defendants/Appellees
H O W A R D, Chief Judge.
¶1 In this wrongful death action, appellant Robert Baker appeals from the trial
court‟s grant of summary judgment in favor of appellees Dr. Brenda Wittman, University
Physicians Healthcare (UPH), and the Arizona Board of Regents (ABOR), based on
Baker‟s failure to present expert testimony in compliance with the requirements of A.R.S.
§ 12-2604(A)(1). Because Baker‟s expert failed to comply with the statute‟s
requirements and we do not find the statute invalid, we conclude the trial court decided
the matter correctly based on the state of the law at the time. However, because we
clarify the statutory requirements, we vacate the judgment and remand for further
proceedings consistent with this decision.
Factual and Procedural Background
¶2 In reviewing a grant of summary judgment, “[w]e view the facts in the light
most favorable to the party against whom summary judgment was entered.” Hamill v.
Mid-Century Ins. Co., 225 Ariz. 386, ¶ 2, 238 P.3d 654, 655 (App. 2010). However, the
facts here are largely uncontested. Baker‟s daughter, Tara, consulted Wittman after being
hospitalized for blood clots. She later died due to other blood clots as a result of alleged
malpractice. Wittman, an employee of UPH, is certified by the American Board of
Pediatrics in the specialty of pediatrics with a subspecialty in pediatric
hematology/oncology. Baker sued appellees and others for Tara‟s wrongful death,
claiming Wittman breached the standard of care, resulting in Tara‟s death.
¶3 Baker disclosed Dr. Robert Brouillard as his expert to testify that Wittman
had breached the standard of care. Brouillard is certified by the American Board of
Internal Medicine as a specialist in internal medicine with subspecialties in oncology and
2
hematology. Wittman, UPH, and ABOR moved for summary judgment, arguing that
Brouillard was not board certified in the same specialty as Wittman and thus failed to
qualify as an expert under A.R.S. § 12-2604. Baker responded that Brouillard was
qualified under the statute and that if he was not, the statute was unconstitutional. The
trial court concluded that Brouillard was not qualified to testify as an expert against
Wittman, rejected Baker‟s claims concerning the validity of the statute, and granted
Wittman, UPH, and ABOR‟s motion for summary judgment. After the court entered
final judgment pursuant to Rule 54(b), Ariz. R. Civ. P., Baker appealed.
Statutory Interpretation
¶4 Baker first claims the trial court erred in granting summary judgment
because Brouillard is qualified to testify about the standard of care under § 12-2604. He
argues that both Brouillard and Wittman were trained in hematology, urges we conclude
that hematology was the specialty at issue, and cites the website from the American
Society of Hematology in support of his position. In reviewing a grant of summary
judgment where the material facts are not in dispute, we review “de novo whether the
trial court correctly applied the substantive law to those facts.” Ariz. Joint Venture v.
Ariz. Dep’t of Revenue, 205 Ariz. 50, ¶ 14, 66 P.3d 771, 774 (App. 2002).
¶5 When interpreting a statute, our goal is “„to fulfill the intent of the
legislature that wrote it.‟” Awsienko v. Cohen, 227 Ariz. 256, ¶ 11, 257 P.3d 175, 177
(App. 2011), quoting Bilke v. State, 206 Ariz. 462, ¶ 11, 80 P.3d 269, 271 (2003). We
first look to the statute‟s language and if its meaning is clear, we rely on the plain
language rather than utilizing other ways of interpreting the statute. Id. We only modify
3
the language in order to “„obviate any repugnancy to or inconsistence with‟” legislative
intent. Id., quoting Bd. of Supervisors v. Pratt, 47 Ariz. 536, 542, 57 P.2d 1220, 1223
(1936). If a statute is ambiguous, such as when terms are undefined, “we determine
legislative intent by looking first to the text and context of the statute.” Kent K. v. Bobby
M., 210 Ariz. 279, ¶¶ 14-15, 110 P.3d 1013, 1017 (2005). And we consider related
statutes together, “striv[ing] to achieve consistency among them.” Swift Transp. Co. v.
Maricopa County, 225 Ariz. 262, ¶ 11, 235 P.3d 1209, 1212 (App. 2010).
¶6 Section 12-2604(A)(1) provides:
A. In an action alleging medical malpractice, a person
shall not give expert testimony on the appropriate standard of
practice or care unless the person is licensed as a health
professional in this state or another state and the person meets
the following criteria:
1. If the party against whom or on whose behalf the
testimony is offered is or claims to be a specialist, specializes
at the time of the occurrence that is the basis for the action in
the same specialty or claimed specialty as the party against
whom or on whose behalf the testimony is offered. If the
party against whom or on whose behalf the testimony is
offered is or claims to be a specialist who is board certified,
the expert witness shall be a specialist who is board certified
in that specialty or claimed specialty.
¶7 Because the legislature did not define “specialty” in § 12-2604, the statute
is ambiguous and we look to its context. See Kent K., 210 Ariz. 279, ¶¶ 14-15, 110 P.3d
at 1017. Several statutes regarding medical specialties refer to an “American medical
specialty board.” See, e.g., A.R.S. §§ 20-841.04(F), 20-1057.01(E), 20-2532(A)(2), 20-
2538(B); see also Swift Transp. Co., 225 Ariz. 262, ¶ 11, 236 P.3d at 1212 (related
statutes construed together). The American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) is an
4
organization consisting of twenty-four member boards and works in conjunction with the
American Medical Association to recognize specialty boards. ABMS, About ABMS
Member Boards, http://www.abms.org/About_ABMS/member_boards.aspx (last visited
Feb. 14, 2012). ABMS lists pediatrics as one specialty and internal medicine as another,
but does not include hematology as a specialty. Id. It lists pediatric
hematology/oncology as a subspecialty of pediatrics and hematology as a subspecialty of
internal medicine. ABMS, ABMS Member Boards, Pediatrics,
http://www.certificationmatters.org/abms-member-boards/pediatrics.aspx (last visited
Feb. 14, 2012); ABMS, ABMS Member Boards, Internal Medicine,
http://www.certificationmatters.org/abms-member-boards/internal-medicine.aspx (last
visited Feb. 14, 2012).
¶8 Additionally, the American Society of Hematology‟s website, cited by
Baker, provides as follows: “An American hematologist has trained in a subspecialty
program approved by the American Board of Internal Medicine or the American Board of
Pediatrics, or has acquired a comparable education in the field by alternate means, and is
Board Certified (or eligible) in the subspecialty of hematology.”1 Am. Soc‟y of
Hematology, Defining the American Hematologist, http://www.hematology.org/About-
ASH/1778.aspx (last visited Feb. 14, 2012). Thus, taking related statutes into account, as
1
We may take judicial notice of facts “not subject to reasonable dispute” if they
are “capable of accurate and ready determination by resort to sources whose accuracy
cannot reasonably be questioned.” Ariz. R. Evid. 201(b); see In re Roy L., 197 Ariz. 441,
¶ 20, 4 P.3d 984, 990 (App. 2000) (appellate court may take judicial notice of matters
trial court could have, even if trial court did not).
5
well as the arguments of the parties, we conclude the legislature intended “specialty” to
be one of the twenty-four boards established by ABMS.
¶9 In their briefs, both parties suggest the statute requires the testifying expert
to be of the same subspecialty as the subject doctor. Baker notes that one of the sponsors
of § 12-2604 testified before the House of Representatives Committee on Health that the
statute would mean “a physician cannot testify against another physician unless they have
comparable training and certification.” H.R. Health Comm. Minutes, 47th Leg., 1st Reg.
Sess. (Ariz. Mar. 23, 2005). Although the statement of a bill‟s sponsor may be entitled to
some weight, Hernandez-Gomez v. Leonardo, 185 Ariz. 509, 513, 917 P.2d 238, 242
(1996), this statement gives the court little guidance in determining the legislature‟s
choice between requiring the same specialty or subspecialty. As this case demonstrates,
that choice involves important policy trade-offs between the depth and breadth of the
expert pool and the similarity of the training. It is the legislature‟s role to make policy
decisions and “[w]e will not question the wisdom, necessity, or soundness of policy of
legislative enactments.” In re Estate of Winn, 225 Ariz. 275, ¶ 12, 237 P.3d 628, 630
(App. 2010). We will not make the policy decisions associated with limiting the
testifying experts to the same subspecialty when the legislature has chosen to say
specialty.
¶10 Additionally, the legislature could have chosen to base a testifying expert‟s
qualifications on the relevant injury or procedure, but instead decided to base it on the
6
training and certification of the specialist.2 The legislature chose the term specialty,
which has an objective and verifiable meaning through reference to the other statutes.
Had the legislature chosen a word or phrase without such a meaning, this court would
have more leeway in interpreting the statute. But we presume the legislature has spoken
as clearly as possible. Samaritan Health Sys. v. Superior Court, 194 Ariz. 284, ¶ 18, 981
P.2d 584, 589 (App. 1998). Because it chose the word specialty rather than a less
specific phrase, we must conclude it meant specialty.
¶11 Section 12-2604(A)(1) requires that the testifying expert here be “a
specialist who is board certified in [Wittman‟s] specialty.” Based on the record, Wittman
is certified by the American Board of Pediatrics in the specialty of pediatrics with a
subspecialty in pediatric hematology/oncology. Brouillard is certified by the American
Board of Internal Medicine as a specialist in internal medicine with subspecialties in
oncology and hematology. Pediatrics is a different specialty than internal medicine.
Therefore, under § 12-2604(A)(1), Brouillard was not board certified in the same
specialty as Wittman. See Awsienko, 227 Ariz. 256, ¶ 11, 257 P.3d at 177.
¶12 Baker asserts that Brouillard‟s training included pediatric treatment and that
Brouillard would be comfortable treating pediatric patients. He goes on to claim that
§ 12-2604 does not require the specialist to be certified by the same board as the
defendant and that this shows the legislature intended to allow specialists from different
boards to testify against each other. But none of these arguments, even if correct,
2
We are not presented with and do not decide if or in what way § 12-2604 applies
when a defendant specialist is acting outside of his or her specialty.
7
undermines our reading of the statute or causes our interpretation to be repugnant to or
inconsistent with legislative intent, and therefore we do not adopt them. See Awsienko,
227 Ariz. 256, ¶ 11, 257 P.3d at 178. If the legislature had intended to allow experts
whose training included the treatment at issue to testify, we presume it would have said
so. See id. ¶ 14 (improper for court to alter legislature‟s requirements).
¶13 Baker, citing Woodard v. Custer, 719 N.W.2d 842, 851 n.6 (Mich. 2006),
further claims that the ABMS has decided “a subspecialty constitutes a specialty.” But
we must determine the legislature‟s intent at the time of enacting the statute, not ABMS‟s
intent the year after the statute was enacted. See Awsienko, 227 Ariz. 256, ¶ 11, 257 P.3d
at 177. Compare 2005 Ariz. Sess. Laws, ch. 183, § 1, with Woodard, 719 N.W.2d 842.
“[T]his court must presume that the legislature expressed itself in as clear a manner as
possible and that it gave words their natural and obvious meanings.” Samaritan Health
Sys., 194 Ariz. 284, ¶ 18, 981 P.2d at 589; see also State v. Korzep, 165 Ariz. 490, 493,
799 P.2d 831, 834 (1990) (When interpreting statute, “[w]e give words their usual and
commonly understood meaning unless the legislature clearly intended a different
meaning.”). If the legislature had intended to require matching subspecialties, it could
have said so. See Awsienko, 227 Ariz. 256, ¶ 14, 257 P.3d at 178. Legislatures in other
states have included the term subspecialty or similar criteria in their requirements for a
testifying physician. Colo. Rev. Stat. § 13-64-401; Mont. Code Ann. § 26-2-601; N.J.
Stat. Ann. § 2A:53A-41; 40 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 1303.512(c)(2). Thus, we will not presume
our legislature intended subspecialty when it used the word specialty. See Canon Sch.
8
Dist. No. 50 v. W.E.S. Constr. Co., 177 Ariz. 526, 529-30, 869 P.2d 500, 503-04 (1994)
(court would not limit legislature‟s use of “this section” to apply to subsection).
¶14 Baker argues extensively that seventeen-year-old Tara was not truly a
pediatric patient and that Brouillard could treat patients her age. He further argues the
standard of care should be the same for both Brouillard and Wittman.3 Baker also
contends the purposes of the statute are met here. Again, the legislature has chosen to
require an expert to be certified in the same specialty. See § 12-2604. As this court
stated in Governale v. Lieberman, 226 Ariz. 443, ¶ 18, 250 P.3d 220, 226 (App. 2011),
the legislature may have imposed the same specialty requirement to reduce
misunderstandings arising from “differences in training or education.” Arguments
concerning the overlap of the practices are more appropriately addressed to the
legislature.
¶15 We acknowledge that, in Awsienko, Division One of this court defined
“specialist” according to the dictionary rather than relying on the ABMS. 227 Ariz. 256,
¶ 9, 257 P.3d at 177. Because that court was considering only whether a testifying
specialist was required to be board-certified at the time of the incident, Awsienko‟s use of
that definition is dictum. See id. ¶¶ 10, 18; Alejandro v. Harrison, 223 Ariz. 21, ¶ 12,
219 P.3d 231, 235 (App. 2009) (dictum not precedential when general statement of law
unnecessary to decision). Moreover, Awsienko relied on the ABMS for its explanation of
3
Wittman counters with evidence that the training of the two specialties were very
different and caused different approaches in treating the patient. However, we need not
reach that issue here.
9
board certification. 227 Ariz. 256, n.1, 257 P.3d at 177 n.1. Finally, Awsienko‟s
definition of specialist is a subjective one dependent on whether an expert‟s practice is
limited to one area and could vary from case to case. Here the definition of specialty is at
issue and our analysis refines Awsienko‟s.
¶16 Our specially concurring colleague proposes a logical and attractive test for
determining the testifying expert‟s required qualifications. We do not adopt it only
because we conclude that, when a specialist is acting within his or her specialty, the
structure of the statute indicates the legislature intended to require the testifying expert to
share that same specialty.
¶17 Wittman contends Brouillard also fails to satisfy § 12-2604(A)(2), because
he did not devote the majority of his professional time to pediatric hematology or general
hematology in the year prior to Tara‟s death. However, because we conclude that
Brouillard‟s certification did not satisfy § 12-2604(A)(1), we need not reach this issue.
Anti-Abrogation
¶18 Baker next argues the trial court erred by concluding § 12-2604 did not
violate the Anti-Abrogation Clause of the Arizona Constitution. See Ariz. Const. art.
XVIII, § 6. We review the constitutionality of a statute de novo. Martin v. Reinstein,
195 Ariz. 293, ¶ 16, 987 P.2d 779, 787 (App. 1999). We presume a statute is
constitutional and its challenger bears a heavy burden in showing the statute‟s
unconstitutionality. Id.
¶19 Article XVIII, § 6 states, “The right of action to recover damages for
injuries shall never be abrogated, and the amount recovered shall not be subject to any
10
statutory limitation.” A statute violates the Anti-Abrogation Clause if “it „completely
abolishe[s]‟ the cause of action.” Lindsay v. Cave Creek Outfitters, L.L.C., 207 Ariz.
487, ¶ 21, 88 P.3d 557, 563 (App. 2003), quoting Barrio v. San Manuel Div. Hosp. for
Magma Copper Co., 143 Ariz. 101, 106, 692 P.2d 280, 285 (1984) (alteration in
Lindsay). So long as reasonable alternatives remain, the legislature may regulate a right
of action protected by article XVIII, § 6. Duncan v. Scottsdale Med. Imaging, Ltd., 205
Ariz. 306, ¶ 30, 70 P.3d 435, 442 (2003).
¶20 In Governale, this court considered whether § 12-2604 violated the Anti-
Abrogation Clause. 226 Ariz. 443, ¶¶ 8-9, 250 P.3d at 224. It concluded the statute
merely regulated the right of action by imposing a particular burden of proof on the
parties. Id. ¶ 10.
¶21 Baker attempts to distinguish Governale by claiming that, in his case, he
has no reasonable alternatives to bringing the action because only 1800 physicians are
pediatric hematologists. He asserts he contacted twenty and none would agree to testify.
But the legislature has not required that a physician be board certified in the same
subspecialty as the defendant. See § 12-2604. We will not read a greater restriction into
the statute than the legislature put there. See Awsienko, 227 Ariz. 256, ¶ 14, 257 P.3d at
178. The undisputed facts in the present case show that Wittman claimed to be a
specialist in pediatrics with a subspecialty in pediatric hematology/oncology and
Brouillard is not a specialist in pediatrics. Because Baker has not demonstrated that he
was unable to procure a testifying expert from the pool of specialists in pediatrics, we
11
reject his attempt to distinguish Governale and his claim that § 12-2604 violates the Anti-
Abrogation Clause.4
Other Constitutional Arguments
¶22 Baker further contends § 12-2604 violates his equal protection and due
process rights under the Arizona Constitution.5 In Governale, this court expressly held to
the contrary. 226 Ariz. 443, ¶ 19, 250 P.3d at 226. Baker attempts to distinguish
Governale, again arguing his pool of experts was unduly restricted and, therefore, the
statute impinges a fundamental right. But, as we have determined above, Baker has not
shown the statute severely restricted his choice of experts when the correct criterion is
used. Accordingly, he has failed to distinguish Governale and we need not repeat its
analysis here.
¶23 Baker next argues § 12-2604 violates the Arizona Constitution‟s
prohibition against special laws. Governale holds that the statute “is not a forbidden
special law.” 226 Ariz. 443, ¶ 21, 250 P.3d at 227. Baker alleges that Governale
“fail[ed] to consider how patients of pediatric hematologists or other sub-sub-specialties
will be affected.” However, as we have discussed, the statute does not require an expert
be of the same subspecialty. See § 12-2604.
4
Baker also relies on various out-of-state cases and statutes. But we see no reason
to rely on these when the Arizona legislature and courts have addressed the matter.
5
Baker additionally contends the statute violates the corresponding clauses of the
United States Constitution, but provides no evidence those provisions would require a
different outcome than the Arizona Constitution requires. He has thus waived any such
argument. See Ariz. R. Civ. App. P. 13(a)(6); Polanco v. Indus. Comm’n, 214 Ariz. 489,
n.2, 154 P.3d 391, 393-94 n.2 (App. 2007) (appellant‟s failure to develop and support
argument waives issue on appeal).
12
¶24 Finally, Baker argues § 12-2604 violates the Arizona Constitution‟s
guarantee of access to the courts, citing the Due Process, Equal Protection and Anti-
Abrogation clauses.6 But, as explained above, § 12-2604 violates none of these
provisions. Governale, 226 Ariz. 443, ¶ 24, 250 P.3d at 227.
¶25 Section 12-2603, A.R.S., requires a person bringing a claim against a health
care professional to file a preliminary expert opinion affidavit, but permits the party “a
reasonable time to cure any affidavit” if the affidavit is insufficient. Similarly, we
generally favor a resolution on the merits. Cf. Addison v. Cienega, Ltd., 146 Ariz. 322,
323, 705 P.2d 1373, 1374 (App. 1985). Because we have defined specialty in a manner
different from Awsienko, we reverse the trial court‟s grant of summary judgment. On
remand Baker shall be given the opportunity to present an expert witness in compliance
with this decision.
Conclusion
¶26 For the foregoing reasons, we vacate the trial court‟s grant of summary
judgment in favor of Wittman, UPH, and ABOR and remand for further proceedings
consistent with this opinion.
/s/ Joseph W. Howard
JOSEPH W. HOWARD, Chief Judge
CONCURRING:
6
Baker also contends Seisinger v. Siebel, 220 Ariz. 85, ¶ 44, 203 P.3d 483, 494
(2009), holding § 12-2604 did not violate separation of powers, “was wrongly decided.”
However, he acknowledges that issue “is a question for the Arizona Supreme Court.”
13
/s/ J. William Brammer, Jr.
J. WILLIAM BRAMMER, JR., Judge
E C K E R S T R O M, Presiding Judge, specially concurring.
¶27 In this case, we must determine what the legislature intended when it
required that any expert testifying “on the appropriate standard of practice or care” in a
medical malpractice action must specialize “in the same specialty” as the defendant
physician. A.R.S. § 12-2604(A)(1). The language of the statute itself provides little
guidance on the central issues raised here: whether the term “specialty” was intended to
include sub-specialties and, if not, what definition of specialty do we apply? I concur
with the majority opinion to the extent it aptly resolves these difficult questions.
¶28 In my view, however, the majority analysis fails to address an important
additional feature of § 12-2604(A)(1): that the specialty requirement is imposed only in
the context of testimony regarding the defendant physician‟s “appropriate standard of
practice or care.” Because an expert witness is not allowed under our rules of evidence to
testify regarding an irrelevant standard of care, see Governale, 226 Ariz. 443, ¶ 6, 250
P.3d at 223; Pipher v. Loo, 221 Ariz. 399, ¶ 16, 212 P.3d 91, 95-96 (App. 2009), and the
specialty requirement is imposed only as to expert testimony regarding the “appropriate”
standard, it follows that expert witnesses need not mirror those specialties of the
defendant physician that are not pertinent to the relevant injury or procedure. See
14
Woodard v. Custer, 719 N.W.2d 842, 849-50 (Mich. 2006) (reaching same conclusion as
to identical Michigan statute).7
¶29 In this case, for example, the defendant physician possessed some level of
specialization in pediatrics, hematology, and oncology. On the record before us, where
there is no suggestion that the deceased‟s condition was related to any cancer, it would
make little sense to require an expert witness on the standard of care to have any
expertise in oncology. And, there is a legitimate factual dispute on the record before us
as to whether specialization in pediatrics would be at all pertinent to the standard of care
for the treatment of a seventeen-year-old patient suffering from a blood disorder. In fact,
if we concluded that an expert‟s specialization must be a mirror image of all medical
specialties held by a defendant physician, regardless of their pertinence to the patient‟s
injury or condition, our statute would require a testifying expert to have pediatric
specialization here even if the patient had been an adult.
¶30 I cannot agree that the legislature intended such absurd potential results.
See State v. Barragan-Sierra, 219 Ariz. 276, ¶ 17, 196 P.3d 879, 885 (App. 2008) (“We
employ a common sense approach [when construing statutory language], reading the
statute in terms of its stated purpose and the system of related statutes of which it forms a
part, while taking care to avoid absurd results.”); see also Patches v. Indus. Comm’n, 220
Ariz. 179, ¶ 10, 204 P.3d 437, 440 (App. 2009) (“[C]ourts must, where possible, avoid
7
Because many physicians have specialization in more than one field, one of
which is usually pertinent to the medical condition at issue, this is a different problem
than determining whether § 12-2604 applies to those physicians operating outside any of
their fields of specialization.
15
construing statutes in such a manner as to produce absurd or unconstitutional results.”).
Instead, I believe the statute‟s focus on the “appropriate standard of care or practice”
demonstrates that the legislature intended logically to limit the specialization requirement
only to those specializations held by defendant physicians that are “appropriate” to the
injury or condition at issue. § 12-2604(A). I therefore would instruct the trial court on
remand to determine whether the defendant‟s specialization in pediatrics was pertinent to
the standard of care or practice in treating the patient‟s blood condition. In all other
respects, I join my colleagues‟ well-reasoned opinion.
/s/ Peter J. Eckerstrom
PETER J. ECKERSTROM, Presiding Judge
16