Several orthopedic surgeons in 2023 are suing their former employers for various concerns including alleged discrimination, fraud and monopolies.
1. Trinity Health and four surgeons have sued Grand Rapids-based Orthopaedic Associates of Michigan, accusing the practice of holding a monopoly in Kent County. The Livonia, Mich.-based health system alleges OAM has "engaged in a pattern and practice of unjustified enforcement of its noncompetition clauses to force physicians unhappy with its operations to leave Kent County," according to a lawsuit filed Jan. 31 in U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan.
2. Paul Mason, MD, is suing Warsaw, N.Y.-based Wyoming County Community Health System over his termination more than a year ago, The Buffalo News reported March 1. Dr. Mason's lawsuit, filed Feb. 15 in Erie County (N.Y.) Court, targets the health system, Wyoming County and members of the Wyoming County board of supervisors.
3. Nashville, Tenn.-based Vanderbilt University and Vanderbilt University Medical Center is being sued by an orthopedic surgeon who's alleging discrimination, Nashville Scene reported March 2. Ginger Holt, MD, an orthopedic oncology surgeon, filed a lawsuit alleging she "has been consistently held to a higher standard than her male colleagues, been removed from a role she held for years as Program Director and Vice Chair of Education, and had her salary cut in half."
4. Eleven orthopedic surgeons who left SSM Health Dean Medical Group in Madison, Wis., are suing the hospital. They filed their lawsuit April 24 in Dane County Circuit Court and are asking a judge to block a clause from SSM Health, their former employer, saying they can't treat patients they saw in the last three years, according to court documents.