A surgeon is suing Portsmouth (N.H.) Regional Hospital for age discrimination after the hospital allegedly circulated a letter telling other providers he had retired, according to a Seacoast Online report.
Here are five things to know:
1. Peter Carter, MD, filed a 10-count lawsuit against Portsmouth-based Appledore Medical Group, Nashville, Tenn.-based HCA, Portsmouth-based HCA Health Services of New Hampshire, Portsmouth Regional Hospital and two Portsmouth Regional Hospital executives alleging breach of contract and age discrimination, among other issues.
2. Dr. Carter spent 37 years practicing medicine in York and Portsmouth, N.H., including nearly seven years with Appledore. In January 2017, he noticed a referral decline, according to the report. He claims an executive with the hospital told him patients preferred female and younger doctors. In February 2017, he faced "being eliminated" due to lack of referrals; the hospital gave him an option of accepting 90 days' notice or retiring at the end of the year.
3. After being notified of his options, Dr. Carter alleges Appledore circulated a letter to other providers posing as him and announcing his retirement. Dr. Carter said he did not write or consent to the letter.
4. Prior to the incident, Dr. Carter said he made around $350,000 per year, but since has made $50,000 per year; he claims he planned to work another three years at the hospital.
5. Dr. Carter filed a complaint with the New Hampshire Human Rights Commission and Equal Opportunity Commission.
6. The hospital denies the allegations and plans to file an answer to the suit.