CHARLOTTE -- Atrium Health will allow doctors with the Mecklenburg Medical Group to break away from the organization and operate independently after 92 of the 104 MMG providers sued to separate themselves from Atrium.

Their lawsuit contends that "Atrium is acting as the exact opposite of the non-profit health care provider it claims to be" and "interventions of the court is required to prevent Atrium's corporate ambitions from causing irreparable harm to the plaintiff physicians."

Atrium responded to the suit by saying they were "surprised and disappointed,” “as we were in discussions with these physicians as recently as last week. We are determining the most appropriate way to address the non-compete provision."

The full statement from Atrium, as well as a some doctors, is below:

Official Atrium Health Statement:

Atrium Health is a physician-led organization, and throughout our nearly 80 years, our focus has always been working together to better serve the needs of patients in our community.

Since some of the doctors from Atrium Health’s practice known as “Mecklenburg Medical Group” came to us last October, we have been talking to them about what a stand-alone practice might look like. We worked hard to find a solution that would be mutually agreeable to everyone –  and most importantly would ensure that our patients continue to get the best care possible. We are surprised and disappointed by the lawsuit that was filed today as we were in discussions with these physicians as recently as last week. We value and respect these physicians and want them to stay with Atrium Health. However, we are granting their desire to go independent and determining the most appropriate way to address the non-compete provision. 

More than 1,900 physicians are part of the Atrium Health Medical Group and are committed to our mission and our patients. We fully intend to continue caring for all of our patients at each of our current locations.

 Our commitments include: 

• Patient Support: We are providing a care model that includes a full care-team to support patient health, while preserving the doctor-patient relationship
• Quality v. Quantity: We believe in delivering care that is more focused on how well we care for patients rather than how many patients we care for.
• Physician Compensation: We’ve created a model that provides fair, nationally competitive compensation for all our physicians.

Al Hudson, M.D., primary care senior medical director

“As healthcare continues to change nationally and locally, it is my belief that there is no better place than Atrium Health to practice medicine and for patients to receive care. I’m excited about and confident in the direction we are going. The organization, through delegated authority to physician leaders, will continue to carry out its mission of highest quality health care for all members of our community.”

Brian Kersten, M.D., physician with Atrium Health’s practice known as “Mecklenburg Medical Group”

“As a physician within Atrium Health’s practice known as ‘Mecklenburg Medical Group,’ I am more confident than ever in the direction we are heading under our current Atrium Health physician leadership. I care deeply about not only treating our patients today, but continuing to provide the best care for all patients within our community well into the future. I’ve been with this organization since my days as a resident and have continued to enjoy the relationships I’ve built with my patients. Atrium Health has given me the opportunity to develop personal relationships with my patients, which allows me to provide them with optimal care. We’ve also benefitted from the excellent support staff and other Atrium Health resources along the way, and I look forward to the future as we continue providing care to all of our patients in our current locations.”