Doctor's agreement when privileges granted constitutes a release of his subsequent defamation claim

In Copeland v. Mid Michigan Regional Medical Center, a neurosurgeon attempted to sue the hospital for defamation and illegal conduct, after his privileges were revoked on the basis of an anonymous description of his conduct during surgery.  He argued that he was not disabled by Hepatitis-C and that hospital employees were guilty of gross negligence or actual malice in terminating his privileges.  The Court upheld the summary disposition of his claims, finding that the release language in his privileges contract with the hospital waived any right to pursue an ordinary negligence claim, and that his allegations could not rise to the level of gross negligence.