Sentara Norfolk General Hospital v. State Health Commissioner

OVERTON, Senior Judge.

Sentara Norfolk General Hospital (Sentara) appeals from a decision of the Circuit Court of the City of Norfolk that affirmed a ruling of the State Health Commissioner (Commissioner). The Commissioner denied Sentara a Certificate of Public Need (COPN) to initiate a liver transplant service at its hospital in Norfolk, Virginia. Sentara contends the Commissioner committed reversible error when he denied Sentara’s application, despite the fact that the application satisfied all the existing criteria for issuing a COPN. Sentara also argues that the Commissioner’s decision was…