Medical Professionals Reference (MPR)Court Allows Physician’s Defamation Lawsuit Against Nurse/Ex-Girlfriend to Proceed

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A recent defamation lawsuit highlights the professional risks of workplace romance in healthcare settings. A physician filed suit against his former girlfriend, a nurse, over allegedly false statements she made to hospital administration following their breakup. The case, proceeding to trial in May 2025, examines six specific claims that led to the physician’s termination and loss of hospital privileges.

Key Points:

• The nurse made six allegations to hospital administration: claiming the physician was an alcoholic, attributing his medical condition to alcohol abuse, asserting he received benzodiazepine treatment for withdrawal, stating other residents removed alcohol from his apartment, alleging patient care decisions were influenced by her work assignments, and suggesting STD testing after their relationship ended.
• The court allowed all aspects of the defamation case to proceed, determining the statements could be proven false rather than mere opinions. The case includes claims of defamation per se and tortious interference with business relationships.
• The physician chose to represent himself pro se after difficulty finding legal representation, an unusual approach in medical defamation cases.
• Five of the six statements qualified as defamation per se for directly affecting the physician’s ability to practice medicine. The sixth statement, regarding STDs, survived dismissal for implying a “loathsome disease.”
• The case demonstrates how failed workplace relationships can escalate to serious professional consequences, including loss of employment and hospital privileges.

According to a recent study, a majority of workers are not open to being involved in a workplace romance themselves (75%), and many still believe workplace romances are unprofessional (40%).

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