Holston Medical terminates employees; shutters some offices
April 10. By Dave Yochum. Holston Medical Group’s entry into the Lake Norman market a year ago has turned into a healthcare crisis for patients, doctors and medical staff.
At 5 pm Good Friday Holston told employees the Tennessee-based medical practice had “made the difficult decision to close many of its offices in the Lake Norman area of North Carolina.”
This is not normally how it’s done in healthcare, let alone in the midst of a historic pandemic.
Holston cited two reasons: The departure of a majority of HMG’s physician providers and “circumstances surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic.” The message terminating staff was delivered by email: “As a result, your position has been eliminated.”
Thousands of patients are in the lurch. It’s unclear at the moment if they have been notified.
HMG confirmed that 35 physicians had already resigned.
They were apparently part of plans to launch a new medical group, outside of HMG in September of 2020.
HMG opted to terminate 21 of them this past week, throwing the offices and their patients into disarray. It’s unknown how many more are gone.
Relationship failed
The saga of Holston Medical Group in Lake Norman began on a positive note in January a year ago.
More than three dozen physicians decided to leave Novant Health to join a private practice with a “patient-first philosophy” they believed similar to their own. It was Holston Medical Group.
The departing physicians were led by one of the most well-known doctors in the region, Lakeside Family Physicians’ Dr. David Cook, and Dr. Ehab Sharawy.
Cook could not be reached for comment. Another Holston physician, Laura Schrader, would not comment.
Huntersville OB/GYN doctors also joined the wave of departures from Novant which was scheduled for May of last year. In a sign of the competitiveness in the world of healthcare, Novant required they leave in March, hastening their departure by two months.
Of course, Novant was left in the lurch, but the departing group minimized disruption to patient care during the transition to Holston. 
They were working at Novant one week, Holston the next.
But the relationship between the former Novant doctors and Holston went bad in less than a year.
Corporate records show that Cook and Sharawy in December 2019 formed OH Leadership, located in an office building in Statesville.
The physicians were scheduled to transition out of Holston in September into a new practice.
Whether Cook and Sharawy will ramp up the new practice sooner than later is not known.
Patients in shock
Patients were shocked and dismayed by Holston’s disappearing act, although it’s possible they could provide “telehealth” going forward.
A source said “it’s wrong what they’re doing,” referring to Holston’s actions. The source said the HMG doctors are under contract until September. “They have not released them.” It’s unclear what the status of medical records is.
That it happened at the beginning of a holiday weekend is stunning in the world of healthcare and patient relations. In the midst of a pandemic is “inexcusable” one staff member said.
It’s unclear at this point where patients will go.
Holston referred media inquiries to a Roswell, Ga. public relations firm. They did not respond to questions Good Friday evening.
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If Holston Medical Group had any reputable standing in the community before this action, they certainly do not now. This treatment of doctors is unconscionable in any situation, but unforgiveably despicable in the midst of a pandemic. Managed healthcare has become a nightmare for both doctors and patients.
I am a patient of Dr. Cook. I was notified about a month ago that he was no longer at Holston Medical Group. I was upset with the notification my husband and I both are patients of his. At that time we were told we could switch to another doctor in the practice.We did not receive any notice that the practice closed. I have 1 lung,cancer and other underlying conditions.My husband has heart problems. At this time in the midst of the pandemic this does not show any concern for their patients. Now we have no primary care physician
This is incredible bullshit who is the clown in charge of HMG? WOW no respect for patients. God save us from these idiots.
I had an appointment today at the Urgent Care I made the appointment yesterday the 10th of April. So I show up and no one was there! I tried to see if anyone was in there and nope all was dark. My husband who is a pretty bad diabetic had an appointment wit Dr. Berger whom we think very highly of. He is an awesome doctor and the first doctor who has gotten my husbands diabetes under control. Holston called and told my husband they had to cancel his appointment, and was told they were not rescheduling at the time! We had no idea they were closing their doors. This kind of practice is unforgivable! If anyone knows where Dr. Jeffrey Berger is please post.
email [email protected] for more information about Dr. Berger
Mrs Molle,
I hate that you have been put in this position at any time, but especially during this pandemic.
I work for Novant Health and am happy to help connect you with a PCP for both you and your husband.
Please feel free to call me on my cell at 704 315-9656. My name is Tammy Turner, and i will do anything I can to help!
As a former NC HMG employee I am saddened that the HMG relationship in NC ended this way, leaving patients in a lurch about their healthcare, as well as many of the LONGTERM patient/doctor relationships left in the wake in the Lake Norman area. Not to mention the jobs of the many employees who were left with no jobs.
Hopefully the patients, as well as former caregivers and staff, will find their places in the local area to continue their patient-based practice of medicine with the patients they have taken care of for years.
I had my annual check up scheduled with Dr Sheri Phillps next week. How do I get in touch with her.
Where did she go? I need to have my blood work done.
She cannot practice again for 6 mos. she told me, because of the contract they signed. This is unbelievable. She will be back in September., but I don’t know where and I don’t think she does either. Nice to know that HMG really cares about patient welfare. I feel so bad for the pregnant women. This is evil.
email [email protected] for more information about Dr. Phillips.
I tried the email and over a week later still nothing
Unbelievable. So much for Holston’s ‘patient first’ philosophy. Whatever the beef between the doctors & Holston is, this sure as h*** isn’t the time for it. How many thousands of patients will be left hanging because 20-30 of the areas doctor’s were just fired?! Furthermore, the fact that they didn’t release any of the doctors from their contracts so they could continue providing care is INEXCUSABLE. That’s pretty f’ing bold, especially in the middle of the worst pandemic this nation has seen in 100+ years. It shows a complete lack of conscience and decency. If Holston had until Sept to replace the staff, there’s ZERO reason to terminate doctors FIVE MONTHS and restrict patient access to their doctors…unless the real reason is Holston wants to hire some replacements while 20-30+ of the areas doctors sit on their hands. If that’s the case, then maybe it’s time they changed their mission statement to, ‘Money only’…because it’s obvious the patient doesn’t come first…or second…or third…or hundredth on Holston’s list of priorities. Whoever the clown is running Holston should be ASHAMED of themselves…and furthermore…should be held accountable by any patients harmed by such reckless, ruthless, and frankly, childish tactics.
So. As I read this I am now aware that my doctors site online which was up on Friday is now gone. As a patient I kind of feel like a class action is in order. It is completely irresponsible of HMG to leave patients with no where to go. There should have at least been instructions for how to get care instead of 404 errors.
Ultimately I blame the physicians. They should never have left Novant. Oh. You thought the grass would be greener. I never was as satisfied with my experience at HMG. But I followed my doctor.
The doctor’s poor decision making around a belief that they could feather their own nests under the auspices of a more patient centered organization is disappointing at best. And naive and selfish, dare I say greedy, at worst.
However. It is HMG who asked me to move my records and who as a medical group is responsible to provide coverage and access to care regardless of my individual providers’ status with them.
I truly believe they are liable that at this very moment as I type this, I don’t have a doctor. Thousands of Charlotte patients moved their medical records and have not been directed about how to proceed.
Thank you for sharing what you know. I am out of the loop other than these posts.
Right on. Unbelievable.
I agree. We get 15 minutes for exam, mostly questions done by nurse. Doctor shows up at end of “exam.” No real input to patient. I went from Novant to HMG thinking I would get improved medicare care. It was worse. Blood test and urine test show doctor we need to up or lessen drug doses. Cure symptoms not cause.
HMG is a pathetic excuse for a medical group. They do not care about their patients, providers, or employees. Citing COVID-19 as a reason for letting these providers go is a lie. They shut all the NC clinics today with no notice to the patient. I’m sure they are finding some way to make money off of all this. DISGUSTING.
HMG released it Physical Therapy teams with no prior warning in January citing financial reasons, leaving all the PT patients in limbo.
What an absolutely disgusting show of disrespect for all the hardworking physicians of HMG who were just fired without notice in the middle of the pandemic. I feel for them and all of their patients who must feel helpless right now. HMG needs to pay dearly for their actions
What HMG offices have been closed in the LKN area?
I am 38 weeks pregnant and as of my Thursday appointment all was good. Now my office is marked as closed for my appointment next week and i’m not sure who’ll be at the hospital when I go into labor. SHAME on HMG. It has been a nightmare with them- NOT my doctors, who have been wonderful and I know have always had my best intentions at heart. So mad and disappointed.
As a Patient of HMG, I appreciate your coverage. Without it I would have had no idea what was going on.
I just started with this group in September. I liked the new doctor, now I have no idea what to do especially now.
email [email protected] for more information about your former HMG physician.
34 weeks pregnant and freaking out!!!
“Novant required they leave in March” is not true, my doctor told me they chose to leave Novant and join HMG early to just get the transition over with. I don’t know where my doctor is now but HMG is directing people to Novant for care. Maybe my doctor will go back to Novant, I hope so. I am diabetic I can’t just not have a primary doctor like some people. Seems like none of this would be happening if I had just stayed at Novant Lakeside and found a new doctor… that’s pretty much what I have to do now anyway. At least they aren’t firing doctors right now!!
I hope Dr. LiCause lets her patients know how to get in touch with her. I’ve been seeing her for 15 years. Dr. J. Little left before the pandemic got worse but at least I got a letter telling me she left.
She was my Dr too, I used the app to send a msg, a little over a week ago and another Dr returned my msg Thursday and wanted to do a tele-appointment that day. I had a video visit with Dr. Gina Lacause who gave me a little more time/treatment than I thought she would be able to. Now she is showing as permanently closed on a Google search. No clue what is next. Seems likely she (Gina) had an inkling.
This is incredible b——-. Who is the clown in charge of HMG? Wow no respect for patients. God save us from these idiots.
He promised me that my husband will return to my arms with 48hrs of his prayer, behold after that prayer night, my husband came home pleading for my forgiveness, after the prayer and my husband has never changed towards loving me.. contact via____________( Robinsonbuckler @) yahoo com…………………………
An option instead of returning to Novant and hospital-based primary care is our independent family practice in downtown Davidson – Davidson Family Medicine. We are accepting new Holston patients over the phone (or virtually) and able to renew prescriptions without a face-to-face visit. We see newborns to adults and handle complex medical problems such as diabetes. No one should go without their medications! We are here to help:
(704) 892-5454
I have filed formal complaints with the NC Medical Board and the State Attorney General’s office on 4/14/20.
HMG needs to be investigated for unethical business practices. Practices that put patients at grave risk.
HMG needs to be barred from conducting business under any name or officers in North Carolina.
I have no idea how to contact my doctor of 24 plus years. I know my doctor and this is not their mode of conduct under any situation.
HMG is using the current COVID 19 pandemic to fly under the radar.
File Complaints..a class action case is totally warranted
Any Attorney interested???
I agree with you. My husband and I are both patients and I just happened to read about it on the internet. As of today April 17, re have received no information. My husband is 77 with various medical issues. This shows how much they care about their patients!
So sad. I really liked HMG because their costs were lower than Novant for people without health insurance. I’m from NY and it is sickening how Novant monopolizes health care in this area.
This sounds like the same grp of doctors that threatened to leave Novant a year or so ago, when they didn’t agree w Novant. As a co sequence, Novant escorted all doctors out of the door, immediately! It has happened again!!! YOUR BIGGEST PROBLEM WILL BE OBTAINING YOUR MEDICAL RECORDS. If you don’t have d doctor lined up, they need to hand over records to you. Hopefully they have one staff person there once a week copying records.
My doctor is just gone, no warning or nothing! I cant get my prescription filled right, I cant get the doctor to tell me anything so what am I suppose to do! I have bad health issues like everyone else and I dont have a pcp. After being with the same doctor for 30 or more years I’m just lost! The doctors should have informed their patients so they could find another doctor or something! Very disappointed!!!
Is there a list anywhere that would let us know where our former HMG Doctors went? I have been with Dr. Licause 15 years, followed her from Novant,stayed with her while she was with HMG and now,…..she has left HMG and, I was not even notified…. I cannot find the information I need, to locate her.Please help.
This is what we have: https://www.corneliustoday.com/ex-holston-docs-joining-atrium