Doctor on lawsuit against ex-employer: 'The way they came after me was unprofessional, unprecedented'

A Houston physician who left her position with a hospital last year after it disciplined her for allegedly spreading COVID-19 misinformation online has brought a $25 million lawsuit against her former employer, Houston-based media outlets reported.

Dr. Mary Talley Bowden, who specializes in ear, nose and throat, Houston Daily reported, worked at Houston Methodist until last fall when the Texas Medical Center (TMC) hospital took issue with what it claimed was Bowden's display of unprofessional behavior, including taking to social media to rail against inoculations against the coronavirus and promoting the drug ivermectin. 

Houston NBC affiliate KPRC reported that Bowden accuses Houston Methodist of defamation in court documents totaling 19 pages.

According to KPRC, Bowden hopes her legal complaint will make it safe for others in similar situations just like her to speak out.

Her suit alleges Houston Methodist made false statements about her to the press and on social media.

“The way they came after me was unprofessional, unprecedented against the spirit of bylaws of their bylaws,” the physician told the station.

Houston FOX affiliate KRIV reported that the original petition accuses Houston Methodist of retaliating against Bowden “in an unprecedented manner.”

“Without notice, they published false and defamatory statements to the press and on social media, affording no due process, acting contrary to and with reckless disregard for both the letter and spirit of Methodist’s bylaws,” the suit argues, per the station.

According to Houston ABC affiliate KTRK, Houston Methodist was the first hospital in the country to require its employees to receive vaccines.

Houston Daily reported that Bowden also opposed government COVID-19 mandates and opened her River Oaks practice to those who were purportedly discriminated against because they opted not to get vaccinated.