Cardiologist sues health system over gender discrimination, unequal pay and hostile treatment
A veteran cardiologist has sued her employer, Lehigh Valley Health Network (LVHN) in Pennsylvania, over years of alleged mistreatment and gender discrimination.
Amy M. Ahnert, MD, said she was consistently treated “vastly different from her male counterparts” during her 17 years with LVHN. This all occurred, she said, while she was regularly commended for her performance as top-performing physician. After she had “exhausted all administrative remedies,” Ahnert resigned from LVHN in early 2024.
The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, details Ahnert’s full journey with LVHN. From 2006 to 2010, for example, she worked with the health system as a hospitalist and a fellow. During that time, she said she was treated “less favorably than male doctors” and her program director was “not receptive” to her childcare needs.
In 2010, Ahnert was officially hired on by LVHN as a clinical cardiologist. However, she said she was paid $50,000 less than expected and told she had to “prove herself” before earning any additional compensation.
These “intentional and discriminatory pay practices” went on for Ahnert’s entire tenure, according to her lawsuit. During the COVID-19 pandemic, for instance, she said she took on a long list of extra responsibilities—serving as a “de facto chief of cardiology”—all without additional compensation or any other added benefits.
At one point, Ahnert said, an executive vice president with LVHN acknowledged that she had been mistreated and said he would help resolve the issues. This never occurred, however, and she decided to leave the health system altogether.
The lawsuit covers five different counts: two counts of gender discrimination, one count of hostile work environment, one count of retaliation and one count of constructive discharge.
Ahnert and her legal team are seeking economic damages, emotional distress damages, compensatory damages, punitive damages and all relevant attorneys’ fees. They have demanded a jury trial.
LVHN has said it does not comment on ongoing legislation. Cardiovascular Business did reach out and ask for any additional comments, but has not yet heard back.
Michael has more than 18 years of experience as a professional writer and editor. He has written at length about cardiology, radiology, artificial intelligence and other key healthcare topics.