Illinois’ Cook County and a former physician have been ordered to pay $7.6 million to a physician who claimed the health system retaliated against her, according to a Chicago Tribune report.
Vivian Renta, MD, was formerly employed at Stroger Hospital in Chicago as a senior attending physician in the pathology department. She claimed administrators and Russell Tomar, MD, the former chairman of pathology for the county system, retaliated against her after she voiced concern about “misdiagnosis, negligence, acts of concealment and other wrongdoing” within the pathology department.
Dr. Renta filed a charge of discrimination with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission in 2003, claiming she had been harassed and paid less than her peers due to her Puerto Rican heritage and gender. She was suspended three months later and terminated in Sept. 2004 after working with the county for nine years, according to the report.
The jury wants the county to pay Dr. Renta $4 million for pain and suffering, as well as another $3.2 million in lost wages and benefits. The jury also wants Dr. Tomar to pay Dr. Renta $400,000 for his alleged retaliation, according to the report.
Related Articles on Hospitals and Lawsuits:
California’s Washington Hospital Faces Numerous Claims of Retaliation
New Hampshire’s Exeter Hospital Settles Charges of Retaliation Against Whistleblower
California Physician Sues Hospital for Retaliation After He Charged Poor Quality of Care
