US Agency Sues Ohio Health System Over Alleged Firing of Jewish Surgeon

The US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has sued an Ohio healthcare system, alleging that it discriminated against a Jewish orthopedic surgeon and fired him because of his religion and race. The lawsuit targets Mercy Health Physicians Youngstown and its parent company, Bon Secours Mercy Health. The EEOC filed the case in federal court in Ohio last week.

The surgeon, identified in media reports as Dr. Ian Walton, had worked for Mercy since 2016. According to the EEOC, he built a successful practice and exceeded the health system’s productivity goals. However, the agency alleges Walton faced antisemitic remarks throughout his employment.

The situation intensified after Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack on Israel, according to the lawsuit. The EEOC said workplace comments blamed “the Jews” for the attack and included remarks about Israel’s actions in Gaza.

The agency also alleges that Mercy excluded Walton from scheduled meetings and reduced his surgical operating time.

On November 1, 2023, Mercy informed Walton that it was ending his employment. The EEOC said he was told the decision was unrelated to his work performance. When he repeatedly asked for an explanation, management allegedly told him there was “no reason.”

The lawsuit further alleges that Mercy continued to need an orthopedic surgeon and transferred Walton’s patients and duties to non-Jewish physicians.

EEOC Chair Andrea Lucas said the agency would pursue cases in which Jewish employees face discrimination because of their identity.

“Antisemitism has no place in the American workplace,” Lucas said.

The EEOC accuses the health system of violating Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, which prohibits workplace discrimination based on religion and race. The agency filed the lawsuit after efforts to reach a settlement through its conciliation process failed.

Bon Secours Mercy Health said in response that its Catholic mission and values guide its operations and that it welcomes people of all faiths and backgrounds. The company did not address the individual allegations in that statement.

The allegations have not yet been proven in court.