News Summary
Two pediatricians in Cleveland, Ohio, have filed a lawsuit against University Hospitals, claiming wrongful termination and defamation after raising patient safety issues. The lawsuit highlights concerns over understaffing, delays in testing, and shortages of medications, asserting that their firings were retaliation for advocating for improved patient care and for their involvement in union organizing efforts. University Hospitals contests the reasons for the termination. The case has sparked public support and demands for investigation into the firings.
Cleveland Pediatricians Sue University Hospitals for Wrongful Termination Over Alleged Patient Safety Concerns
Cleveland, Ohio – Two prominent pediatricians, Dr. Lauren Beene and Dr. Valerie Fouts-Fowler, have filed a lawsuit against University Hospitals, a major nonprofit health system based in Ohio, alleging wrongful termination and defamation. The lawsuit, filed on December 15, 2025, in the Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas, claims the physicians were unjustly fired in June after raising serious concerns about patient safety within the health system.
The pediatricians assert their termination was a direct response to their efforts to advocate for improved patient care, citing issues such as emergency department understaffing, delays in critical blood test processing for pediatric patients, and shortages of essential childhood vaccines and life-sustaining medications. University Hospitals, however, maintains the doctors were terminated due to the alleged misuse of an internal care coordination application, through which they reportedly accessed personal data of approximately 4,000 colleagues and sent unsolicited text messages unrelated to patient care.
Allegations of Retaliation and Misuse of Communication Systems
Dr. Beene and Dr. Fouts-Fowler contend that the internal communication app, which functions as a staff directory, has been routinely used by other physicians for non-care-related social communications without any disciplinary repercussions. They claim their use of the system was specifically to alert colleagues to pressing patient safety issues, not for personal gain as suggested by the health system.
Beyond the patient safety concerns, the lawsuit also implicates allegations of retaliation linked to union organizing efforts. The pediatricians were reportedly part of an advocacy group named “Concerned UH Physicians,” which was exploring the possibility of forming a union for the health system’s physicians. They assert that their termination was an attempt to silence their collective voice and deter unionization, an claim University Hospitals denies, stating the decision was solely based on the inappropriate access and use of private employee information.
Demands for Reinstatement and Damages
In their legal action, Dr. Beene and Dr. Valerie Fouts-Fowler are seeking various forms of relief, including reinstatement to their positions, release from noncompete and non-solicitation clauses in their contracts, and compensation for lost income and emotional distress. They also allege that University Hospitals made “defamatory” statements following their termination, falsely accusing them of data theft, privacy violations, and compromising patient care, which they claim has caused significant harm to their professional reputations.
The firing of the two pediatricians in June of this year prompted public protests and expressions of support from colleagues and patients. In July, an online petition advocating for their reinstatement gathered approximately 7,000 signatures. The case has also drawn attention from state leaders, with dozens calling for an investigation into the terminations. Adding another layer to the legal battle, a complaint regarding the firings has also been filed with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), which is currently investigating whether the terminations constitute illegal retaliation for federally protected concerted activity.
University Hospitals has largely declined to comment specifically on the pending litigation, often referring to its previous statements from July. In those statements, the health system indicated that the firings followed complaints from physicians about the unsolicited messages they received. The lawsuit brings to light the complex interplay between patient advocacy, internal communication policies, and the rights of healthcare professionals within large health systems. The ongoing legal proceedings are expected to clarify the facts surrounding these allegations and their implications for healthcare workers and institutions.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Who are the pediatricians involved in the lawsuit?
- The pediatricians involved in the lawsuit are Dr. Lauren Beene and Dr. Valerie Fouts-Fowler.
- Which health system is being sued?
- The lawsuit has been filed against University Hospitals, a nonprofit health system based in Ohio.
- What are the main allegations made by the pediatricians?
- The pediatricians allege wrongful termination, defamation, and violation of their contracts and Ohio law. They claim they were fired after raising concerns about patient safety incidents, including emergency department staffing, delays in blood test processing, and shortages of childhood vaccines and medications.
- What is University Hospitals’ reason for the termination?
- University Hospitals states the pediatricians were terminated after an investigation determined they accessed the personal data of 4,000 colleagues through a care coordination app and sent unsolicited text messages unrelated to patient care.
- Where was the lawsuit filed?
- The lawsuit was filed on December 15, 2025, in the Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas in Cleveland, Ohio.
- Are there other claims besides wrongful termination and patient safety?
- Yes, the lawsuit also involves allegations of retaliation related to union organizing efforts, as the pediatricians were part of an advocacy group exploring union formation.
- What relief are the pediatricians seeking?
- The pediatricians are seeking reinstatement to their positions, release from noncompete and non-solicitation contract clauses, and damages for lost income and emotional distress.
- Is any other governmental body involved?
- Yes, a complaint has also been filed with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), which is investigating the terminations.
Key Features of the Lawsuit
| Feature | Description | Scope |
|---|---|---|
| Parties Involved | Dr. Lauren Beene, Dr. Valerie Fouts-Fowler (Pediatricians) vs. University Hospitals (Nonprofit Health System) | State-level (Ohio) |
| Date Filed | December 15, 2025 | State-level (Ohio) |
| Location of Filing | Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas, Cleveland, Ohio | State-level (Ohio) |
| Pediatricians’ Allegations | Wrongful termination, defamation, breach of contract, patient safety concerns (emergency department staffing, delayed blood tests, medication shortages), retaliation for union organizing | State-level (Ohio) |
| University Hospitals’ Stance | Termination due to misuse of internal communication app to access personal data of 4,000 colleagues and send unsolicited texts unrelated to patient care | State-level (Ohio) |
| Relief Sought by Pediatricians | Reinstatement, release from noncompete/non-solicitation clauses, damages for lost income and emotional distress | State-level (Ohio) |
| Additional Investigations | National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) investigating potential illegal retaliation | Nationwide |
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