If I Were Bon Secours Mercy Health’s CEO, I Would Have De-Escalated a Long Time Ago

A physician’s perspective on how one honest conversation could have prevented years of retaliation, lawsuits, and patient harm — and what real leadership looks like when humanity comes first.

If I were the CEO, I would have just talked to me.

I would have asked simple questions:

What’s wrong? How can we fix this? How can we support you?

I would have said: You don’t have to go through this alone. We have physician wellness resources. Here’s how to access them.

I would have met me where I was — a doctor who loved her work, who stabilized a struggling neurology program, who wanted nothing more than to feel safe enough to keep showing up for her patients.

If I were CEO, I would have said: You are a valued member of this community, and we will do what it takes to help you heal.

And if that had happened, I would still be there — busy, productive, and caring for patients who still can’t get in to see a neurologist.

What Happened Instead

When I raised safety concerns, I was told “the relationship is broken” and that I should find another job.

They knew I was bound by a $150,000 exit penalty.

When I asked for a safe clinic environment, they said no — and placed me on leave instead.

They watched as the disability insurer stalled and refused to pay benefits.

They doubled down on denial.

They blocked my return.

And all the while, patients kept waiting for care.

What Leadership Could Have Looked Like

If I were CEO, I would have said:

Take the therapy you need. Heal. Come back stronger.

I wouldn’t have wasted time or money on aggressive litigators.

I would have called the disability carrier myself and said:

We approved the leave. Pay her what she’s owed.

I wouldn’t have used surveillance to catch a physician working part-time to survive.

I wouldn’t have fired her while on ADA-protected leave for “working.”

I wouldn’t have slipped new non-compete language into a termination letter.

I wouldn’t have demanded $150,000 in two weeks or withheld an earned bonus.

And if a physician had been terminated, I would have told staff and patients the truth — not left them wondering where their doctor went.

I wouldn’t keep changing stories in unemployment hearings.

I wouldn’t send lawyers across state lines to intimidate her for asking basic questions.

The Truth

If I were CEO, I would have done the right thing.

The human thing.

From the start.

Because all of this could have been avoided with one conversation.

But maybe that’s just me.

And clearly, they don’t have an Olivia Pope on their payroll.

You don’t need to be a fixer to fix things.

You just have to care.

Call to Action

If you’re a clinician who’s been retaliated against, silenced, or punished for asking for safety or support — your experience matters.

If you’re a patient wondering why access keeps shrinking — this is part of the reason.

👉 Follow and support Phoenix Advocacy Network

👉 Share this post to expose how retaliation actually escalates harm

👉 Speak up, document everything, and protect your voice

Healthcare doesn’t break down because people ask for help.

It breaks down when leadership refuses to listen.