Local & Community
Desert Regional Lawsuit Raises Questions Over More Than $1 Million in Residency Grants
Desert Regional Medical Center is suing a local medical group and two physicians over allegations involving more than $1 million in public funding connected to medical residency programs in the Coachella Valley.
The lawsuit names Desert Physicians Medical Group, or DPMG, along with Dr. Tae Kim and Dr. Gemma Kim.
According to the lawsuit, more than $120,000 in Song-Brown funding was provided to DPMG between October 2022 and January 2025 to support Desert Regional's residency programs. The hospital alleges the money was not transferred to its accounts or properly accounted for.
The lawsuit also raises questions about more than $1 million in grant funding from the Desert Healthcare District.
In 2023, the district approved a $1,057,396 grant for DPMG to purchase and operate a second mobile medical clinic serving underserved communities. The lawsuit alleges the grant application included $240,000 annually for resident salaries, even though Desert Regional says the hospital was already paying those residents.
The lawsuit further alleges that DPMG did not maintain required records related to other grants, including CalMedForce funding. Desert Regional says the loss of three grants prevented the hospital from accessing $360,000 in additional funding. Court documents cited in reporting indicate a termination letter referenced missing documentation, but that does not establish that the Kims took the money or caused the missing records.
The lawsuit also includes allegations involving professional liability insurance records for two physicians. Desert Regional alleges that documents provided during a compliance review falsely indicated malpractice coverage existed. The defendants dispute the allegations.
The case goes beyond funding. Desert Regional has also alleged problems involving resident supervision, scheduling, medical records and other aspects of the residency programs. Those claims have not been proven in court.
Desert Regional has said it does not comment on active litigation but is confident in its position and the judicial process.
An attorney representing the Kims and DPMG said the defendants deny the allegations and intend to defend the case. DPMG has also filed its own lawsuit against Desert Regional and related parties.
A trial-setting conference in the case is scheduled for Oct. 30.
The legal proceedings will determine the facts surrounding the competing allegations.
Explore: NBCPalmSprings.com, where we are connecting the Valley.
By: NBC Palm Springs
September 21, 2026
Desert Regional Medical CenterDesert Physicians Medical GroupDPMGTae KimGemma Kimresidency programsmedical residencySongBrown fundingDesert Healthcare DistrictPalm SpringsCoachella Valleypublic grantshealthcare lawsuit
Link Copied To Clipboard!
Latest Instagram Posts
50
Watch the Palm Springs Pride Parade LIVE this Sunday at 10 AM on NBC Palm Springs’ Facebook and YouTube channels! Join hosts Thalia Hayden and NBC Palm Springs News Director David Reese for all the parade excitement, live from Palm Springs. Can’t make it in person? Celebrate with us online! Livestream sponsored by @DAP Health #PalmSpringsPride #PrideParade #NBCPalmSprings
23
Honor our veterans and get moving at the 3rd Annual Indio Veterans Day 5K & 10K Run! Join the community Wednesday, November 11, at the Empire Polo Club for a morning of fitness, fun and recognition of the men and women who have served our country. Register now and save $10 on your registration fee with promo code NBCUniversal. See you at the starting line! #Indio #VeteransDay #VeteransDay5K #VeteransDay10K #CoachellaValley #NBCPalmSprings
60
CNN’s Annie Grayer goes inside a ballot-counting center in Mississippi as absentee ballots are counted. Democratic candidate Scott Colom and the state’s incumbent Republican Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith are locked in a razor-thin Senate race following Tuesday’s election.
802
🚨 TWO DISTURBING CRIME CASES IN THE COACHELLA VALLEY. A Palm Desert woman accused of beating her husband to death with a flagpole is expected back in court this morning. Vicky Kim, 65, faces a murder charge after her husband was found dead outside their home at the Enclave condominiums. PLUS: A weekend stabbing in downtown Palm Springs leads to an attempted murder arrest. Police say 38-year-old Francisco Elias stabbed a man in the neck and upper body following two altercations before fleeing in a white Mercedes. The victim has been released from the hospital, and Elias is now behind bars. 🚔 Get the latest on both cases. #CoachellaValley #PalmDesert #PalmSprings #CrimeNews #BreakingNews #LocalNews
23
☕️ Social Time with Thalia & Jerry. Will you go to the pride parade this year?
87
After the Democrats flipped control of both the House and the Senate, victorious candidates celebrated their historic wins in victory speeches across the country.
147
Democrat Keisha Lance Bottoms is the first Black female governor in US history.
624
In July, Lorenzo Salgado Araujo was killed in Houston by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent in a traffic stop as part of a “targeted operation,” ICE said. Voters are now leaving their “I Voted” stickers at his memorial site.
77
The Cathedral City Hot Air Balloon Festival, presented by Agua Caliente Casinos, returns November 20–22, 2026, for a weekend of hot air balloons, live music and entertainment. Saturday, November 21: 6:30 PM – Robin Thicke performs live. 7:45 PM – Festival drone light show. Tickets and more information at www.cchotairballoonfest.com. #CathedralCity #HotAirBalloonFestival #RobinThicke #AguaCalienteCasinos #CoachellaValley #PalmSprings #DroneLightShow #NBCPalmSprings
31
☕️ Social Time with Thalia & Jerry. Do you do your holiday shopping early or late?