A 65-year-old pediatric pulmonologist has settled an age discrimination and breach-of-employment-contract lawsuit against Memorial Healthcare System, also known as the South Broward Hospital District.
Dr. Juan Carlose Martinez had worked at Memorial for 22 years and served as chief of the pediatric pulmonology division, with medical staff privileges at Memorial Regional Hospital/Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital, Memorial Hospital West, and Memorial Hospital Miramar.
While details of the settlement were not disclosed, Martinez’s attorney Jacob Auerbach said, “We are pleased the case has been resolved.”
Memorial’s attorney, Jenna Rinehart Rassif of Jackson Lewis, did not respond to requests for comment.
In July 2015, Martinez signed an employment agreement with Memorial that ended in June 2020, and then extended that contract for another five years, ending in June 2025, the lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida states. Martinez says he notified the hospital system in spring 2025 of his intent to renew his contract.
Martinez says he consistently demonstrated exceptional leadership and performance throughout his tenure with Memorial. He successfully managed a large Cystic Fibrosis Center, secured multiple grants, oversaw the growth and operation of a large accredited pediatric sleep lab, and recruited and mentored newer physicians within the department, he says.
The hospital initially offered to renew his contract for three years to June 2028, but had removed severance provisions that would have guaranteed 12 months of compensation if terminated without cause, he alleges in his lawsuit. He says he asked for more time to review the revised contract that was sent to him on May 8, 2025, via DocuSign for electronic review and signature.
The doctor says days later, Memorial pulled the offer and fired him, effective June 30, 2025.
Martinez says Joe DiMaggio Hospital CEO Caitlin Stella later told him the decision was based on bringing in “newer talent” and adapting to a “changing environment.” Martinez said he was replaced by a significantly younger physician who had been out of fellowship training for less than two years and whom he had hired in 2023.
Memorial Healthcare had moved to dismiss the breach-of-contract claim in the lawsuit. The court had not ruled on the dismissal and had previously ordered both parties into mediation, where the suit was settled.
“He is well respected and was chief of the pediatric pulmonary division, so not to be renewed was shocking to him,” said Auerbach, his attorney with Gallup Auerbach. “He planned to remain employed by Memorial and expected to retire from there. Memorial took a tough stance in fighting us, but it made sense for all parties to resolve the lawsuit.”
In his complaint, Martinez sought contractual severance of more than $480,000 plus other damages for lost wages, disruption of retirement plans, and pension benefits.
Martinez now practices as a board-certified pediatric pulmonologist and pediatric sleep medicine specialist at KIDZ Medical Services in Miami.
South Florida Sun Sentinel health reporter Cindy Goodman can be reached at cgoodman@sunsentinel.com or 954-304-5908.