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The Medical University of South Carolina sued six of its own doctors Monday, alleging the physicians hatched a plan to quit their jobs, go work for a rival hospital and then use proprietary information to help develop a competing cancer treatment facility.

In a lawsuit filed in Charleston County’s court of common pleas, lawyers for MUSC asked a judge to issue a temporary injunction to stop what it describes as the “wholesale departure of physicians, nurses, technicians, staff and fellows” to Trident Medical Center.

The suit further claims the departing physicians not only sought to help North Charleston-based Trident establish a new specialized cancer practice, but also attempted to “cripple” MUSC’s head and neck department so that it could not compete with the new treatment center.

“The conduct of all defendants impacts the public interest and is immoral, unethical and oppressive,” lawyers for MUSC argued in the suit, claiming that their conduct had “the specific intent of completely eradicating MUSC” as a competitor and would result in leaving the public with “fewer choices in the area of head and neck cancer treatment.”

The lawsuit was filed against HCA Healthcare, a for-profit, Tennessee-based health system that owns owns Trident, along with MUSC doctors Terry A Day, Betsy Kay Davis, Joshua D. Hornig, Eric J. Lentsch, David M. Neskey and Anand K. Sharma.

In an emailed statement provided to The State newspaper, Trident Medical disputed the accusations.

“Physicians make independent decisions about their affiliations and frequently move their practice locations,” Trident spokesman Rod Whiting said. “These physicians decided that Trident Medical Center is the best hospital for them and their patients, and a last-minute lawsuit should not keep cancer patients from getting the care they need.”

MUSC is seeking an injunction hearing on or before Dec. 1, which is also the resignation date for the six doctors who are leaving MUSC’s head and neck oncology division to go and work for Trident.

All of the doctors named in the suit are part of MUSC’s head and neck oncology division, which provides treatment for cancers located in the head and neck.

In the lawsuit, MUCS claims Trident routinely transfers many critically ill patients to MUSC, the region’s only Level I trauma center, because Trident lacks the ability to provide the necessary specialized care and resources those patients need.

MUSC further alleges that without the help of its doctors and the confidential and proprietary information they unlawfully obtained, Trident “would not be able to quickly establish the facilities, processes and procedures to perform these complicated head and neck procedures.”

Attorneys for MUSC estimate it would take eight to 10 years for Trident to independently develop a process for these treatments and surgeries.

Trident said that’s not true.

“We are well-positioned to care for head and neck patients and are excited these physicians have chosen to be part of the Trident Medical Center team,” Whiting said.

Along with a 38-page complaint and 47-page motion for a temporary injunction, MUSC also submitted 368 pages of exhibits to the court.

The documents include copies of emails sent on MUSC servers in which Trident Health officials and MUSC doctors discuss salaries, employment agreements and how to handle their departures from the medical university.

Raymond DuBois, the dean of MUSC’s College of Medicine and the director of the MUSC Hollings Cancer Center, said the school’s fellowship program in head and neck oncology is now “under attack” in an affidavit.

“In my entire career, I have never seen or heard of a group of physicians engage in a wholesale abandonment of their students, colleagues and patients similar to what the defendant physicians have orchestrated over the past several months,” DuBois said in his affidavit.

MUSC also said in its lawsuit that the doctors sent emails to Trident Health officials detailing specific tools and instruments, supplies, room setups, pharmaceuticals, and processes necessary for each type of procedure.

MUSC says this information, which is found in physician preference cards, are confidential and proprietary information that belongs to MUSC — not to any individual physician or employee.

The suit also claims Lentsch, one of the doctors, received an advance payment of $16,000 under the condition that if he left MUSC during the 2022 fiscal year, he would have to repay the money.

Despite singing a memo agreeing to those terms in July and announcing his notice on Nov. 30, which is part of the 2022 fiscal year, MUSC claims Lentsch deposited the $16,000 check and has no intention of paying them back.

In the six months leading up to their resignations, the six doctors in MUSC’s cancer program collectively took more than 1,000 hours of leave, and their productivity dropped by about 25% from the same period a year earlier, MUSC said in its lawsuit.

A hearing date has not yet been set.

This story was originally published November 24, 2021 2:43 PM.

COLUMBIA, S.C. – Cannonborough Beverage Company, a craft soda company, today announced plans to expand operations in Charleston County. The project will create 22 new jobs.

Founded in 2012, Cannonborough Beverage Company produces craft sodas and mixers made from whole ingredients including fruits, herbs and spices.

Located at 1750 Signal Point Road in Charleston, Cannonborough Beverage Company’s expansion will increase the company’s capacity and production capabilities. The company also plans to add a commissary kitchen.

The expansion of the company’s production facility is currently in progress. Individuals interested in joining the Cannonborough Beverage Company team should visit the company’s contact page.

QUOTES

"We are very proud to announce this exciting milestone for the company. Not only will this new production facility allow us to expand our operations to keep up with growing demand, it will allocate newly renovated food production space for other food businesses and is an opportunity to give back to a community that has been so supportive of Cannonborough Sodas. The generosity of Charleston area businesses to share their space, knowledge and experience with us over the last nine years has made a big impact on the company. To be able to pay that forward to the next generation of food entrepreneurs in Charleston is something we're very excited about." -Cannonborough Beverage Company Co-Founders Mick Matricciano and Matt Fendley

"Today we congratulate a homegrown business – Cannonborough Beverage Company – on their success in the Palmetto State. We look forward to watching them continue to grow in Charleston County for years to come.”-Gov. Henry McMaster

“South Carolina continues to attract investments from companies of all types, and today’s announcement by Cannonborough Beverage Company is proof of that. Team South Carolina celebrates their growth, and we look forward to their continued success.” -Secretary of Commerce Harry M. Lightsey III

“We’re pleased to see a local company not only expanding, but planning to source more agricultural products from South Carolina farmers. This is a great example of the teamwork that makes agribusiness our state’s No. 1 industry.” -Commissioner of Agriculture Hugh Weathers

“Our community has a passion for homegrown products, and we are excited to see what the future has in store for the growing craft soda market. Congratulations to Cannonborough Beverage Company on their expansion and establishing permanent roots in our community.” -Charleston County Council Chairman Teddie Pryor

CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCIV) — U.S. Labor Secretary Marty Walsh visited the Wando Welch Terminal on Wednesday.

The Charleston International Longshoremen's Association, who invited Walsh, said they want to grow proportionally with South Carolina Ports.

But, they feel like now they can't do that.

"We have been in this port, believe it or not, since 1867. There's generations of longshoremen here. We care about this port, we care about this industry," said Kenny Riley, President of ILA Local 1422 in Charleston.

Walsh thanked the hundreds of local ILA workers.

"They kept the essential items coming into the country and I want to thank them for their work," said Walsh.

The Local ILA said they want more deep sea craft work and crane operations at SC ports.

"Other folks are doing all of those jobs (at other ports)," Riley said. "As we grow forward into the future together we want our jobs, the jobs that belongs to us, under a master contract."

The SC Ports Authority filed a complaint with the Attorney Generals office against the ILA and the U.S. Maritime Alliance.

In mid-September, a judge ruled against the ILA.

We reached out to the Attorney Generals Office. AG Alan Wilson said, "South Carolina has been a staunch right-to-work state and the union cannot undermine our laws guaranteeing their right to work. These laws do not permit the union to take over jobs from state employees."

Riley said people can still be a part of a union, even if South Carolina is a right-to-work state.

"I have the right to be union, you have the right to be not union. Neither of us should have to be harassed or punished based on our choices. But, if we decide to be union, I have the hounds of hell on my tail. Starting with the state legislature and all the way down to the port," said Riley.

The South Carolina Ports issued this response:

"The Southeast port business will continue to grow as long as capacity exists to facilitate that growth. The Hugh Leatherman Terminal represents both an intelligent and a timely capacity investment just as it is needed in the industry. At a time when the supply chain is seeing unprecedent cargo volumes, the additional capacity at the Hugh Leatherman Terminal is crucial to keeping the supply chain fluid. It is important that this terminal is operated at its full capacity now so the South Carolina Ports Authority can take full advantage of the many growth opportunities at hand.”

CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) - Hundreds of thousands of South Carolinians are expected to be on the roads for the next few days.

AAA is forecasting this year’s Thanksgiving travel period will be nearly as busy as it was before the pandemic, after a sizable slowdown last year. The auto club expects about 678,000 cars will be on South Carolina roads from Wednesday through Sunday, up from 617,000 cars in 2020 and just a 1% decrease from 2019′s total.

In addition to more cars, the South Carolina Highway Patrol said more state troopers will be out over the next several days too.

“If you make that poor choice to drive drunk, or you make the poor choice to speed or drive reckless, we’re going to be out in full force and make sure we stop you, make sure we ticket you, make sure we educate you, and make sure you get to your destination safely,” SCHP Trooper David Jones said.

The extended holiday weekend arrives with an extra warning for safety, as South Carolina’s 976 traffic deaths so far in 2021 have already surpassed last year’s total, 961, with still more than a month left in the year.

Too often, Jones said congestion leads to minor crashes, and those turn into big backups or even bigger collisions, especially if drivers get distracted.

“The thing that we look at isn’t a number on a billboard or a number of a traffic fatality,” he said. “We remember those names. We remember the faces. We remember those loved ones who get the worst news of their life, and what’s disheartening for us is that all too often, these crashes could’ve been completely avoidable.”

AAA reports South Carolina roads will likely be busy for the bulk of the day and evening on Wednesday, saying drivers should hit the least amount of traffic if they leave after 9 p.m. On Thanksgiving, it said the best time to drive is before 11 a.m., while the hours between noon and 3 p.m. are the busiest.

AAA recommends people leave in the morning to return home on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

“Go ahead and plan now and know that the roads are going to be congested. Make sure you limit your distractions, wear your seatbelt, reduce your speed, and if you do these simple things, we know we can reduce the fatalities we’ve seen in the years past,” Jones said.

Copyright 2021 WCSC. All rights reserved.

CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD) – From the sanctuary to the center stage, Aaron Hines proves no matter what, your faith can take you far.

Aaron grew up in Charleston in a family of athletes and soldiers. Even though he too played sports, at a very young age he realized his talents were far away from any football field.

“Sports, military, corporate, that’s kind of the base of my family. I thought about going that route, but I was just always super passionate about music,” said Aaron.

After much encouragement from a childhood friend, Aaron performed for the first time in his eighth-grade talent show — and won?! He soon began playing the drums and piano for his church.

“I literally helped raise him, make sure he was okay all throughout high school and made sure he got into college,” said Pastor Lance Johnson, Sr. of The Revelation of Christ Church, or ‘The ROC Church.” Aaron then went on to Charleston Southern University, and Pastor Johnson then hired him as an intern at the church.

“He became like a son to me, and still is,” said Johnson. He also says from the very beginning he knew Aaron would make it to the big stage.

“I’ve seen him come from simply playing the drums when he first came to the church, and then he taught himself how to play the keyboard, and then initially again, he taught himself how to play the bass and the guitar.” Pastor Johnson says he saw Aaron’s progression first hand. “I told him years ago prophetically, that ‘you were going to do something great and was going to make an impact in this world through your gifts.'”

Aaron began writing his own music and singing with various groups throughout college, but a phone call one day put his dreams on hold.

“I got the news about my mom actually being diagnosed with stage 3 Breast Cancer,” said Aaron.

He was ready to move home and take care of her, but she pushed him to keep singing. After two years of chemo, and a whole lot of faith, Aaron’s mother beat cancer. Her courage inspired him to go for ‘The Voice.’

Pastor Johnson recalls the moment he learned Aaron would be on the show. “He called me and he said ‘Pop, I gotta tell you something and you can’t tell anybody.’ I said okay, well I’m pretty used to that being a pastor, and he says ‘Well I’m on The Voice!’ and I go wow okay.”

Aaron says he’s still learning new things about himself. “It’s been the most emotional, encouraging, inspiring, life-changing experience ever.”

Sadly, Aaron did not make it to the finals, but his village of supporters continues to grow.

“The most encouraging part about it, is I tell a little more in-depth the story about my mom and just her having breast cancer for a while, and how it affected our family.”

One thing’s for sure, this won’t be the last time you hear the name, Aaron Hines. He’s currently working on new music, new merchandise, and booking shows.