EDWARDSVILLE — An anesthesiologist claims Synergy Healthcare breached his employment agreement by firing him because he refused to take a pay cut due to decreased profits as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
William Thom, M.D., filed a complaint July 20 in the Third Judicial Circuit for Madison County against Synergy Healthcare Solutions LLC alleging breach of contract.
According to the complaint, Thom, a board certified anesthesiologist and pain management physician, entered into a contract with Synergy on Dec. 1, 2017 to provide his medical services. He officially began working for Synergy on Feb. 1, 2018.
Thom claims the employment agreement included a $500,000 yearly salary plus a quarterly "production bonus based on the amount of relative value units" (RVU) that he generated for Synergy. The agreement also allegedly included the possibility of Thom becoming "an equity owner" of the company, according to the suit.
The agreement was renewed in February of this year. Thom alleges that on March 31, Synergy owners asked him to consider taking a pay reduction due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the company's "reduced revenues," which he declined. On April 9, he alleges he was terminated without cause in breach of his employment agreement. Thom also alleges Synergy failed to reimburse him for his tail insurance of $45,323 per the agreement.
Thom seeks a judgment in his favor, plus costs and all other relief the court deems proper. He is represented by Adam Hirsch and Julia Mohan of Roetzel & Andress LPA in Chicago.
Madison County Circuit Court case number 20-L-1006