Cohen, former Adena doctors lose suit against Adena Health System

CHILLICOTHE ― After a two-year battle, former Adena Bone & Joint Center doctors lost the civil suit against Adena Health System.

In 2021, Adena Health System filed a lawsuit against three former doctors for allegedly breaching contracts and duty, damaging business relationships, sharing trade secrets and engaging in civil conspiracy.

The lawsuit included former Adena Bone & Joint Center doctors Brian Cohen, Aaron Roberts and James Troy Thompson. Adena alleged that the doctors began organizing a group of physicians to leave the health system while they were paid employees.

Later that year, the legal team representing the three doctors filed a motion to dismiss the civil suit against them and issued a countersuit. The countersuit asserted that the health system allegedly breached employment agreements, wrongfully terminated them, issued retaliation, violated antitrust laws and engaged in slander.

In addition to the countersuit, the doctors also issued a third-party complaint against Adena President and CEO Jeff Graham, Chief Operating Officer Katherine Edrington and the 15-member Board of Trustees for defamation, tortious interference, negligence and conversion. Another claim of failure to supervise was issued against just the board.

This month, the Ross County Court of Common Pleas awarded sanctions against Brian Cohen, Aaron Roberts, and James Troy Thompson for malicious prosecution, as well as for engaging in frivolous conduct by filing and pursuing antitrust claims against Adena Health.

Adena was awarded $87,329.25 to be paid by the defendants.

Adena’s lawsuit for the pursuit of damages based on the departure of those physicians continues.

Megan Becker is a reporter for the Chillicothe Gazette. Contact her at 740-349-1106, email her at Mbecker@gannett.com or follow her on Twitter @BeckerReporting

This article originally appeared on Chillicothe Gazette: Brian Cohen, bone doctors lose suit against Adena Health System