K. Craig Kent, MD, former CEO of Charlottesville-based UVA Health, has filed a defamation lawsuit against a law firm in connection with his departure from the health system. He is seeking about $34 million damages.
Here are five things to know:
1. Dr. Kent filed the lawsuit Feb. 23 in the Circuit Court of Albemarle County, Va., against law firm Jones Swanson Huddell LLC and three attorneys, alleging a “defamatory campaign to oust him from his position as CEO.”
2. Dr. Kent is one of three former UVA Health leaders named as defendants in a lawsuit filed Oct. 3. That lawsuit, filed by four UVA Health physicians and two widowed spouses, alleges a pattern of fraudulent practices and racketeering endangered patients and led to at least two preventable deaths. Dr. Kent has called the allegations against him “unfounded and baseless.”
3. The February lawsuit alleges three of the defendants shared a 26-page letter with the UVA board of visitors one day before the board was scheduled to discuss the results of an investigation into Dr. Kent and other leaders. According to the complaint, the letter made false accusations against Dr. Kent and was designed to appear as the results of an official, objective investigation, although the attorneys were not directed by UVA to prepare a report.
Dr. Kent further claims the letter was designed to create the false impression that it was prepared in collaboration with lawyers at a separate firm who were conducting the investigation, the complaint says. The complaint alleges the letter falsely accused Dr. Kent of compromising patient safety and engaging in serious leadership misconduct.
According to the complaint, the letter was followed by a warning that it would be sent to The Washington Post if Dr. Kent was not dismissed by 6 p.m. the day of the board meeting.
“Dr. Kent’s Complaint is quite thorough, and he is eager for the opportunity to clear his name,” Dr. Kent’s attorney Paul Vickrey said in a Feb. 27 statement shared with Becker’s.
4. The October lawsuit cites a September 2024 no-confidence letter signed by 128 UVA Physicians Group-employed faculty accusing leadership of fostering a culture of fear, compromising patient safety and weaponizing promotions and tenure. Dr. Kent resigned in February 2025 following the special meeting during which the board of visitors was briefed on findings from the independent investigation into the system.
5. Dr. Kent is seeking compensation for injuries suffered to his business and personal reputations, pecuniary losses and punitive damages.
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