Ruby W. Wood

Ruby W. Wood is a founding member of Wood Tcheng LLP and advises healthcare clients throughout Los Angeles, California and beyond. Her practice centers on Health Care Law and includes representation of multi-institutional health systems, academic health centers, hospital administrations, medical staffs, health plans, and medical groups. She counsels clients on a wide range of medical staff legal matters, including internal governance and policy development, credentialing, peer review and quality assurance activities, corrective actions, administrative hearings, and healthcare-related litigation. Ruby regularly appears on behalf of clients in federal and state courts, as well as in arbitration proceedings, and has served as lead counsel in numerous medical staff hearings and related disputes. Ruby also advises healthcare organizations in their interactions with state licensing boards, The Joint Commission, and other regulatory and compliance agencies. She works closely with Medical Staff leaders and Hospital Administrations to address peer review and compliance matters, including applications and reappointment issues, medical staff and joint investigations, fair hearing proceedings, reporting and information-sharing obligations, return-to-practice assessments, and Hospital Administration and Medical Staff relationships. Her work further encompasses HIPAA and privacy considerations, exclusive contracting and closed department matters, and the application of protections afforded to medical staffs under state and federal law, with particular emphasis on California Evidence Code section 1157. She frequently assists clients in addressing concerns involving clinical competency, professional conduct, and workplace harassment allegations. Her healthcare litigation experience includes writ proceedings, subpoena responses, patient safety matters, retaliation claims, contract disputes, and related allegations. A significant portion of Ruby’s practice involves sensitive peer review processes within healthcare provider organizations. She supports clients as they navigate complex regulatory frameworks and operational challenges while working to promote quality of care, fair procedures, and due process. Ruby’s approach emphasizes careful evaluation of each matter, clear communication of options and risks, and collaboration with clients to identify practical paths forward. Through this process, she assists healthcare organizations in making informed decisions and addressing issues in a manner consistent with legal requirements and organizational goals.