that he has repeatedly complained about nurses being understaffed and dirty conditions in the emergency room and the intensive care unit. Colantonio also claims physician assistants are improperly supervised and are performing procedures without direct supervision by doctors as required by law.

Mercy Medical Center officials vehemently deny the allegations and say the hospital is not experiencing financial troubles. A spokesman says Mercy strictly adheres to state regulations when it comes to duties performed by physician assistants.

In a letter, Colantonio urged fellow doctors to band together to improve conditions.?Mercy has turned their backs on us and our patients,? the letter reads. ?They mistreat the nurses ... and most importantly, they mistreat the patients by compromising quality care."

Colanontio says he has no ax to grind with the hospital and that all he wants is for the quality of care to improve. He also says that several departments, including the birth center and OB-GYN department, are "excellent."