Chair quits after hospital CEO files lawsuit over dismissal

TORONTO — A top official at a major hospital in London, Ont., announced her resignation on Thursday, a day after the facility’s CEO sued for wrongful termination related to his travels to the United States.

In a statement, Amy Walby said her resignation as chair of the board of directors at London Health Sciences Centre was not an admission of wrongdoing.

“While I stand firm in my belief and understanding that I did nothing wrong, my resignation is a reflection of my deep commitment to doing what is best for the greater good,” Walby said.

Walby’s resignation follows a lawsuit launched by Dr. Paul Woods, who was terminated Jan. 10 — just three years into his five-year contract — amid controversy over his trips to the U.S.

In his untested statement of claim, Woods alleges the hospital terminated him in bad faith, defamed him, and discriminated against him. His suit seeks a total of $2.5 million in various damages.

The hospital, he says, has painted him with the same brush as used after “discoveries of recent leisure trips by politicians, health-care leaders, and health-care professionals” over the Christmas holidays.

Woods is a Canadian citizen with permanent residency status in the U.S. His immediate family, including his fiancée, live in Michigan.

The claim cites several instances in which he discussed the travel issue with Walby along with the need for an accommodation so he could work from home on his return from the U.S. Walby raised no objections in emails to him, saying she was supportive.

In all, Woods travelled to the U.S. five times since March, most recently in the week leading up to Christmas. He says he followed all public health guidelines.