Former Medical Director Sues Hawaii Clinic

The former medical director of a Hilo clinic claims in a lawsuit she was forced to resign for being a whistleblower.

Hawaii Tribune-Herald reported Tuesday Dr. Fatima Philips’ lawsuit claims she was stripped of her authority and forced to resign because she reported that Bay Clinic patients were being over-prescribed powerful narcotic painkillers.

The lawsuit seeks unspecified monetary damages and back pay from May 13, 2011, the date she resigned.

According to the lawsuit, Philips conducted an investigation and found some patients were given multiple, highly addictive narcotics at high doses. She claims her efforts to curb the problem was met with resistance.

The chairwoman of the clinic’s board of directors declined to comment on the lawsuit.