Hanson v. Michigan State Board of Registration in Medicine , 253 Mich. 601 ( 1931 )

This is certiorari to review the action of the Michigan State board of registration in medicine in revoking plaintiff's license to practice medicine and surgery. Complaint is made that:

1. Proper notice of the exact charges preferred was not given to plaintiff.

2. The board's action was not based upon sufficient and proper evidentiary facts.

3. The hearing was unfair, arbitrary, and not in accordance with the fundamental rules of evidence.

4. The board as constituted does not conform to statutory requirements, and therefore is without power to act.

Section 6726, 2 Comp. Laws 1915 (2 Comp. Laws 1929, § 6739), vests in the board of registration the power "to refuse to * * * continue" the license of any physician to practice who is guilty of "grossly unprofessional * * * conduct" which is declared by the statute to include within its meaning (among other unprofessional acts enumerated): "The obtaining of any fee on the assurance that an incurable disease can be permanently cured." This record discloses that numerous complaints of alleged unprofessional conduct on the part of plaintiff had come to the attention of the medical registration board. These complaints for the most part were contained in letters and embodied much that was of a hearsay character. An investigation by the board led to interviews between some of its members and plaintiff, and at least on one such occasion plaintiff's attorney was also present. Thereafter notice that charges of unprofessional conduct had been made against him was served upon plaintiff.

At the time and place designated in the notice plaintiff and his attorney appeared. A hearing was had before the full membership of the board. The originals of four complaints were shown to plaintiff and his attorney. Only that of Anthony Klette was under oath, and as no testimony seems to have been taken in support of the other complaints, that of Klette alone merits consideration. In an affidavit dated January 20, 1930, Mr. Anthony Klette of Detroit charged that his son had been afflicted with dementia praecox for four or five years, and that upon taking him to Dr. Hanson the latter told the affiant "that he would bring him (the son) back to a perfect mental state and that he proposed to do this by the administration of serum and certain liquid medicines, and he agreed to do this for a total payment of $500." Two hundred and fifty dollars was paid down, the balance to be paid at a future date. The affidavit further recites: "For this amount of money he assured me that my son would be completely cured."

At the hearing, evidently for the purpose of advising plaintiff and his counsel of the specific complaints made against the doctor, there was read the "report of the committee on registration and standards," which committee is composed of five members of the board. Touching the complaint under consideration, this report contains the following:

"(1) Complaint filed by Mr. A. Klette, 5893 Hazlett avenue, Detroit, stating that Dr. Hanson promised to cure his son ofdementia praecox for the sum of $500. This amount to be paid $250 down, and the balance later. After 20 months treatment the boy was unimproved. After this complaint was filed, Dr. Hanson returned the $250 to Mr. Klette."

The doctor's attorney made a statement to the board at this hearing, which included the following:

"I went to see Dr. Warnshuis (secretary of the board) and asked him about what the charges were. I supposed they were written charges, but I understand there are no written charges and Dr. Warnshuis told me of the complaints that were said to have been made and I have taken this up with my client and we are here prepared to meet those. I would be very glad to know what it is we have to meet, and glad to do all I can to help you gentlemen. * * * I will be very glad, if you gentlemen care to hear him (Dr. Hanson), to find out from him the details of these different cases. I think that is reasonable. So, if you will just take a seat here, if there will be no objection gentlemen."

Of the specific charge we are reviewing, Dr. Hanson voluntarily testifying as a witness in his own behalf stated:

"Dr. Warnshuis, and, I believe, Dr. McLaughlin, were both there at the time I was called to your (plaintiff's attorney) office, and you asked me whether I had treated a man (by) the name of Klette and I told you yes, and you asked me what the man had, and I told you dementia praecox, and you asked me whether the condition was curable, and I said absolutely no, under no condition; dementia praecox is not curable."

As noted above, after complaint was made, Dr. Hanson returned the $250 paid him by Mr. Klette. This was done with the understanding that the parties concerned would not make complaint against the doctor. No other witnesses testified relative to the merits of the Klette complaint. The return of the board to this court, which is not traversed, embodies from its record of this hearing the following:

"Accused appeared in person and with his attorney, and was given ample opportunity to present to the board such statements, evidence and witnesses as to why he was not guilty of violations as charged. * * *

"Upon termination of the open hearing, the board went into executive session. After careful weighing and reviewing the evidence presented, the finding of the board of registration in medicine was that Dr. Hanson had been guilty of grossly unprofessional and dishonest conduct, obtaining fees on the assurance that an incurable disease could be permanently cured, making grossly improbable statements, and violating the various provisions of subsection 6 of section 3, of the medical practice act (2 Comp. Laws 1929, § 6739)."

By the unanimous action of the full board Dr. Hanson's license to practice was thereupon revoked. About four months later petitioner changed counsel and a petition in behalf of the doctor was filed with the board seeking rescission of its order revoking the doctor's license. This petition was considered and denied by the unanimous action of the board.

In reviewing by certiorari, the board's finding of facts based on competent evidence is binding upon the court. In revoking plaintiff's license the board's action was an exercise of police power and not, at least in a strict sense, the exercise of judicial power. Kennedy v. State Board, 145 Mich. 241,245 (9 Ann. Cas. 125). The board was not required to proceed in strict accordance with rules applicable to judicial tribunals. In a proceeding of this character, unless otherwise provided by statute, the requisite proof may be by deposition (State, ex rel. Hurwitz, v. North, 304 Mo. 607 [264 S.W. 678]), or by affidavit (Mathews v. Hedlund, 82 Neb. 825 [119 N.W. 171]). The right to compulsory process is not indispensable. State, ex rel.McAnally, v. Goodier, 195 Mo. 551 (93 S.W. 928). What is required of officers and boards in the exercise of powers of removal or revocation, such as are under consideration, is considered in numerous adjudicated cases. We cite only the following: Dullam v. Willson, 53 Mich. 392 (51 Am. Rep. 128);Munk v. Frink, 81 Neb. 631 (116 N.W. 525, 17 L.R.A. [N. S.] 439); State, ex rel. McAnally, v. Goodier, supra.

"In general the action of a board or officer in revoking a license must not be arbitrary. It must be for cause, only, and based on specific charges made and evidence submitted." 17 Rawle C. L. p. 555.

Unless the right is waived, the person charged is at least entitled to:

(1) Notice of a time and place of hearing.

(2) A hearing before a properly authorized body.

(3) A reasonably definite statement of the charge or charges preferred against the accused.

(4) The right to cross-examine the witnesses who testify against him.

(5) The right to produce witnesses in his own behalf.

(6) A full consideration and a fair determination according to the evidence of the controversy by the body before whom the hearing is had.

Tested by the applicable rules, we conclude that plaintiff herein had such a hearing before the board of registration in medicine as he was entitled to in law. He was given the required notice, he appeared with his counsel, and was informed of the charges made against him and embodied in the records of the board. His counsel announced: "We are here prepared to meet" the charges made. Mr. Klette's affidavit in support of the charge was before the board and was submitted to the accused and his attorney. The accused voluntarily testified in his own behalf. No request was made by him or by his attorney for an opportunity to produce or that the board should call other witnesses who had knowledge of the charge preferred. Nor was there a request to cross-examine Mr. Klette, whose affidavit in support of the charge was before the board. As noted, the board deliberated and found Dr. Hanson guilty of the charge, i. e., "obtaining fees on the assurance that an incurable disease could be permanently cured." Klette's affidavit together with the doctor's admissions sustained the finding. There was no demand that Klette be produced for cross-examination. Where there is no demand for cross-examination and no objection made, the sworn statements of witnesses are competent to establish the charge. Mathews v.Hedlund, supra; Traer v. State Board of Medical Examiners,106 Iowa, 559 (76 N.W. 833). Except as exercised, defendant's rights were waived by his failure to assert them and by acquiescing in the proceeding taken. The record discloses nothing that would justify us in disturbing the board's determination.

Appellant's contention that the board had no power to hear charges and revoke the doctor's license to practice until he had first been convicted in a court of criminal jurisdiction is without merit. The statute is not reasonably subject to such construction. Nor is it of consequence that the sixth subdivision of section 3 of the act (2 Comp. Laws 1915, § 6726 [2 Comp. Laws 1929, § 6739]) does not expressly provide for giving notice of the hearing to the one charged, as does the seventh subdivision. division. It may be noted that prior to the amendment by Act No. 368, Pub. Acts 1913, the provisions of these two subdivisions were embodied in one. If the provision for "a fair hearing" were entirely omitted from the above subdivision, it would still be implied and considered as an indispensable part of the enactment. As stated by Justice CHAMPLIN inDullam v. Willson, supra:

"It is to be understood as required that the tribunal, to which is committed the duty of inquiring and determining, shall give opportunity to the subject to be heard in support of his innocence or his capacity."

The remaining question is presented by appellant's contention that the defendant board is without power to act because its membership does not conform to the statutory requirement (2 Comp. Laws 1915, § 6724 [2 Comp. Laws 1929, § 6737]), which specifies that this board of ten members shall be composed of not more than five persons from the regular school of medicine, not more than two from the homeopathic, not more than two from the eclectic, and not more than one from the physio-medical school. The board is composed of seven members of the so-called regular school, two of the homeopathic, one of the eclectic; but none from the physio-medical. Plaintiff is of the regular school. We think the board must be held to be a de facto board, and in any event since the action taken in the instant case was unanimous, and the statute (2 Comp. Laws 1915, § 6724 [2 Comp. Laws 1929, § 6737]) provides that the business of the board "shall be transacted by and receive the concurring vote of at least seven members," appellant's contention cannot be sustained.

The relief sought by plaintiff is denied, and his petition dismissed, with costs to defendant.

BUTZEL, C.J., and CLARK, SHARPE, and FEAD, JJ., concurred with NORTH, J.