Famous surgeon in the US fired only because he is Jewish
The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has filed a lawsuit against the Mercy Health network in Ohio, alleging that orthopedic surgeon Dr. Ian Walton was fired due to his Jewish nationality. The termination occurred on November 1, 2023, 25 days after the Hamas attack. The lawsuit describes a long-standing antisemitic atmosphere in the workplace, including colleagues blaming Jews and reducing Walton's operating hours.
The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has filed a lawsuit against the Mercy Health network in Ohio and its parent company Bon Secours Mercy Health, alleging that orthopedic surgeon Dr. Ian Walton was fired due to his Jewish nationality. The termination occurred on November 1, 2023, 25 days after the Hamas attack on southern Israel. Walton had worked at the network since 2016 and, according to the commission, successfully developed his practice, exceeding performance metrics, and had no disciplinary record. The lawsuit describes a long-standing antisemitic atmosphere in the workplace: colleagues blamed Jews for global conflicts, questioned Walton's ability to form an independent position due to his background, and after October 7, the remarks became more frequent and crude. Walton was no longer invited to meetings for scheduling operations, and his allocated operating room time was reduced without notice. The commission claims that after the firing, the network sought a replacement for Walton and transferred his patients to non-Jewish doctors. The lawsuit was filed after an unsuccessful attempt at pre-trial settlement. The commission seeks compensation for lost wages, damages for emotional and reputational harm, and court orders requiring the network to prevent future discrimination.