Arizona Doctor Fired for Requiring Residents to Learn Abortions, Files Lawsuit

State   |   Steven Ertelt   |   Feb 14, 2005   |   9:00AM   |   WASHINGTON, DC

Arizona Doctor Fired for Requiring Residents to Learn Abortions, Files Lawsuit Email this article
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by Steven Ertelt
LifeNews.com Editor
February 14, 2005

Phoenix, AZ (LifeNews.com) — A Phoenix doctor who was fired for requiring residents to learn how to perform abortions has filed a lawsuit against the county that employed him.

Chris Carey was the program director for Maricopa Medical Center’s obstetrics and gynecology residency program, but the county launched four investigations when it found out he was sending residents to a local Planned Parenthood abortion business to learn how to perform abortions.

Carey was dismissed from his position and now he’s filing a lawsuit claiming defamation of character. He’s suing for $20 million.

Shane Wikfors, executive director of Arizona Right to Life, told LifeNews.com that Carey "went behind the backs" of county supervisors by sending the residents for abortion training. Wikfors said Carey was violating a county policy by doing so.

"He clearly used a stealth approach to violating Maricopa County’s policy and the law of Arizona to force the taxpayers of Maricopa County and Arizona pay for abortion training," Wikfors explained.

"He should have been fired and, in my opinion, found in violation of unprofessional conduct," Wikfors said. He wants the Arizona Board of Medical Examiners to take his license away.

Carey’s lawsuit claims county officials engaged in a "prolonged crusade to defame, disparage, and terminate Dr. Carey."

Maricopa County formerly governed the hospital, but it handed over power to do that to a special health care board last month. The hospital has named a new interim chair and program director.

Related websites:
Arizona Right to Life – https://www.azrtl.org