April 6, 2023 at 7:10 pm
Just over two years after the former president and CEO of the London Health Sciences Center filed a $2.5 million lawsuit against the hospital network, the two sides appear to have reached a peace agreement.
Late on Thursday afternoon, the LHSC issued a statement relating to the 2021 lawsuit brought by Dr Paul Woods alleging he was wrongfully dismissed. Woods was fired from the LHSC after it was discovered that Woods traveled to the United States multiple times during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“London Health Sciences Center (LHSC) and Dr Paul Woods are pleased to announce that they have reached an amicable resolution of all matters that have arisen during his tenure as LHSC President and Chief Executive Officer,” the statement read. “The LHSC regrets any confusion it has caused about Dr Woods’ public statements and how they may have been interpreted.”
In Woods’ January 2021 statement of claim, he claimed he had disclosed his family circumstances and travel plans to the former chairman of the LHSC board. He also claimed the LHSC’s statement about his dismissal was defamatory.
LHSC hit back at the time, saying the board was aware of his “personal circumstances,” but claimed it had not received advance notice of Woods’ travel and had not given him permission to travel outside of Canada. The hospital’s defense statement also said Woods’ “poor judgment and hypocrisy” had damaged his reputation.
LHSC’s letter on Thursday continued to refute its previous position, claiming that Woods had not been notified of his trip, and saying he had indeed notified the previous board chair. In addition, the LHSC said Woods self-isolated for 14 days as required by public health measures in place at the time.
“The LHSC terminated Dr. Woods’ employment without cause. His dismissal was not based on any concerns about his competence or skills as a hospital director,” the statement continued. “The LHSC and Dr Woods are proud that the hospital is beginning to respond to this pandemic under Dr Woods’ leadership.”
Neither the LHSC nor Woods made public the terms of the resolution, and Woods reserved parts of his joint statement with the LHSC.
“I am proud of the many accomplishments and advancements LHSC has made under my leadership and am pleased that its current leadership is continuing to implement many of these initiatives,” Woods wrote in the release. “I wish its current CEO and leadership team continued success.”
The full statement can be read here.