Cardiologist surrenders medical license after faking penile cancer diagnosis

A cardiologist has lost his job and his ability to practice in multiple states after faking a cancer diagnosis and lying about participating in complex patient cases at Cleveland Clinic.

A new report in The Tennessean charted the cardiologist’s story in great detail. Christopher David Adams, MD, was an interventional cardiologist and structural heart specialist who spent approximately five years at Cookeville Regional Medical Center in Tennessee. After multiple patients died in a matter of days, however, hospital leaders started to look closer at his credentials. 

Adams filed for medical leave in 2023, just as the hospital was starting its internal review, and claimed he needed the time off because had had penile cancer. Adams would later admit that he lied about that diagnosis—in addition to lying about working as a visiting physician at Cleveland Clinic—to help cover for the fact that he was having an affair. 

He was ultimately fired, but did secure a job at Baptist Health Lexington in Kentucky. When he had to answer questions for the Kentucky Board of Medical Licensure, according to The Tennessean, Adams admitted to many of these lies—and then got into more hot water after allegedly asking a colleague to falsify documents.

Adams agreed to give up his medical licenses in both Tennessee and Kentucky as a result of these issues. His medical license was later suspended in Virginia as well.

“Dr. Adams has admitted to his personal failings in a public filing and is trying to get his life back on track with his family and his faith,” Adams’ attorney told The Tennessean. 

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