The former director of Lebanon, N.H.-based Dartmouth-Hitchcock's Norris Cotton Cancer Center has filed a lawsuit against the health system claiming officials retaliated against him for whistleblowing, according to Valley News.
Former director Mark Israel, MD, filed the lawsuit in Grafton Superior Court on Oct. 27. In the lawsuit, Dr. Israel alleges Dartmouth-Hitchcock officials used $6 million raised for cancer research through donations to pay operating expenses.
Dr. Israel resigned as director of the cancer center in September. He claims senior managers at Dartmouth-Hitchcock effectively forced him to step down as cancer center director by taking away his clinical responsibilities over cancer patients in September 2015. Dr. Israel alleges Dartmouth-Hitchcock officials retaliated against him after he objected to using the donated funds to pay operating expenses, according to the article.
The lawsuit seeks to have D-H officials restore the $6 million to the philanthropic accounts. Dr. Israel is also requesting a minimum of $2 million in lost pay and compensatory damages, according to the article.
In an email to the Valley News, Rick Adams, a D-H spokesman, said "contrary to [Dr. Israel's] allegations, Dartmouth-Hitchcock took action to ensure proper administration, oversight and compliance with required accounting standards and state law governing all charitable donations." Mr. Adams also said D-H denies Dr. Israel's claims of wrongful termination.