Former surgeon files massive sult TERRACE — A former north- west. orthopaedic surgeon has filed a lawsuit against more than 30 doctors ‘and organizations he clalms conspired to suspend him _ in 1986.. : Dr. David Kuntz practised a controversial new form of spinal surgery known as plastic disk re- placement. He performed 521 plastic disk replacements from. 1979 _ until 1983, when the B.C. College of Physicians and Surgeons banned the procedure and labelled it “experimental”. . . In 1986 the college suspended Kuntz for. ‘having. insufficient skill and knowledge’ to practice in B.C. His licence was later ‘revoked following a number of malpractice suits. The suit-filed May 14 in B.C, Supreme Court names the Workers’ Compensation Board, the B.C. College of Physicians ‘and’ Surgeons, the. B.C. Medical Association, the Medical Services Commission, Kitimat General Hospital and 29 doctors. - It claims for damages resulting from: * Negligence relating to pro-— ceedings to suspend and erase Kuntz's name from the register of the College of Physicians and Surgeons, + Individual or joint interference with Kuntz in his practice of medicine for the purpose of inter- fering with*“‘the economic ac- tivity of the plaintiff.”’ © “Anti-competitive economic activity against the Piaintiff.”’ es OPENING OF new wing at Terraceview Lodge in July 1989 also aS drew out supporters of David Kuntz to display thelr feelings in front of then-healih minister Peter Dueck. Kuntz has had a strong corps of northwest supporters for years. « Defamation of Kuntz. * Failing to disclose conflicts of interest or provide proper investi- gation or defence for Kuntz. Kuntz is also suing his former lawyers for negligence. He says the firm Harper, Grey, Easton and Company, appointed by the Canadian Medical . Pro- fective Association to defend him at his suspension hearing, failed to properly do so. Meanwhile Kuntz is pressing on with a judicial review of his suspension, which he hopes will result in the reinstatement of his licence to practice medicine. ' They. have to give me my skill and knowledge back,’? the 52- ‘year-old Kuntz said in an inter- ‘view last week. ‘They took. it away with the siroke of a pen. When they give it back every- thing else will follow.” Kuntz says he was forced to file the lawsuit now because the judi- cial review has been. stalled at every tum by the College of Physicians and Surgeons, Docs allege a witch hunt TERRACE — A witch-hunt is how the head of a U.S. organiza- tion of spinal surgeons describes B.C.’s treatment of Dr. David Kuntz. The removal in 1986 of Kuntz as.an orthopaedic surgeon in the “northwest was ‘‘a travesty of jus- tice in modern times,”’ according to‘Dr. Michael Rask, chairman of the American’ Academy of Neurological and Orthopacdic Surgeons, . ..Rask has. sworn an affidavit in af support-of' Kuntz’s court’ actién n Bot woe ae against much of B.C.’s medical establishment. , In it, Rask describes Kuntz’s treatment as belng ‘worse than the inquisition of the Middle Ages.”’ “The academy firmly believes that Dr. David Kuntz is one of the finest, if not the finest orthopaedic spinal surgeon in the world. - today,’” ask _ states. ‘*Perhaps, Dr. Kuntz is one of the best spinal orthopaedic surgeons who fas everilives & Raskin his state at " DRIFTWOOD VENTURES SCOTT S. SCHIELKE 37’ LUXURY YACHT Available For Fishing 72 a the on groups of 4. ertace, B.C. V8G3P1 sne/Fax (604) 638-8373. <1 800-683-1288 Kuntz’s theories faultless and sound. Kuntz is delivering nine lec- tures this year to the academy as” its presidential guest lecturer for 1993, - He was also to host an interna- tional conference on spinal surgery this spring in Vancouver, but it has been rescheduled for next year. 7 A Los Angeles spinal surgeon, Dr. 8. Rezaian, has also sworm an affidavit! iltiagd, Ba Rhea ' Experienced crew, all meals, tackle, = Jt overnight accommodations supplied == | ~ $150 per day, based Prince Rup g ir 7 supporting:; . Kuniz's... demanding: his reinstatement. . work, ' dao 2B achat oe "