to assume Mrs. Lucchesi's care. Subsequent to this conversation, Dr. Shill informed Mrs. Lucchesi that Dr. Stimmell would be waiting for her at Good Samaritan Hospital and that his experience and expertise in this area were important.[2]
*78 Before leaving Dr. Shill's care, Mrs. Lucchesi was administered medication in an attempt to slow or stop the contractions. She was then transported to Good Samaritan Hospital via an ambulance arranged for by Dr. Stimmell. She arrived at the hospital at approximately 5:45 a.m. and within five minutes, Dr. Stimmell was contacted. At that time, he informed the nursing staff that he would not be present for delivery.
Dr. Scott Partridge, a first-year intern, examined Mrs. Lucchesi shortly after she arrived at Good Samaritan Hospital. He found that she was completely dilated,fully effaced, had an abnormal presentation, and was contracting very actively. Following this examination, Dr. Partridge called Dr. Stimmell to report what he had found, including the abnormal presentation  which Dr. Partridge believed to be a breech or transverse presentation. Upon being told that delivery was likely inevitable, Dr. Stimmell instructed Dr. Partridge and Dr. Mac Whitford, a third-year resident, to rupture the membranes and deliver the infant.[3]
The Lucchesis' baby was delivered stillborn at approximately 6:25 a.m. Upon beginning delivery, it was determined that the infant was in a "double-footing" breech position  a presentation which involves a much greater hazard to the fetus than other breech positions. Neither Dr. Partridge nor Dr. Whitford had delivered a child under such circumstances. During the delivery itself, the child