Surgeon sues hospital after being fired for discussing TAVR concerns with media

Michael Walter | August 08, 2023 | Cardiovascular Business | TAVR

Former managers of a Tampa Florida-based radiology company Advanced Diagnostic Group (ADG) and its employee stock ownership plan (ESOP) retirement benefit manager GreatBanc Trust Co. will pay $19 million to settle a class action lawsuit. The suit alleges they allowed the ESOP’s value to be diverted to managers, directors and their shell companies and away from employee participants. money gavel court lawsuit legal judge judgement

James Manazer, MD, a vascular surgeon with Adena Regional Medical Center in Chillicothe, Ohio, was fired after telling the media about a cardiologist who allegedly performed transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) procedures without the proper credentials.

Now, Manazer—who had been with the hospital since 2006—has filed a lawsuit against Adena Health Systems for wrongful termination and defamation.

NBC4 WCMH-TV in Columbus, Ohio, first reported on the new lawsuit, highlighting a memo sent by Adena Health Systems to hospital employees that said Manazer “relayed false and defamatory information about Adena and its physicians.”

An Adena Health Systems spokesperson has said the hospital stands by its stance that the cardiologist at the heart of this controversy never performed TAVR without the proper credentials. When it comes to this lawsuit, however, the spokesperson told NBC4 they will not comment on pending litigation.

The firms representing Manazer have issued their own statement, saying the ongoing situation “has and will forever cause [Manazer] professional and reputational damage.”

Read the full update from NBC4 at the link below:

Doctor sues Adena Health for defamation after he reported misconduct

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TAVR controversy: Surgeon fired after saying cardiologist treated patients without proper credentials

Michael Walter, Managing Editor

Michael has more than 19 years of experience as a professional writer and editor. He has written at length about cardiology, radiology, artificial intelligence and other key healthcare topics.

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