Doctor Sues Manitoba Recruiter for Wrongful Dismissal and Lost Funds

A lawsuit has emerged in Manitoba, as Dr. Emeka Onyemachi claims wrongful dismissal against Dr. Shadi Rezazadeh, the physician who recruited him from the United Kingdom. Onyemachi alleges that he was improperly dismissed and that funds intended for his relocation were misappropriated by Rezazadeh. The suit, filed on August 28, 2024, highlights a troubling series of events that unfolded after his move to Canada.

Dr. Rezazadeh, a Winnipeg physician, invested a staggering $700,000 from her personal savings to attract ten doctors, including Onyemachi, to work at her clinics in Manitoba. According to her statements, the goal was to address a shortage of physicians in the province by offering financial incentives and support for new arrivals. She planned to employ five doctors at her Trucare Medical Clinic and another five at Rivergrove Medical Clinic.

Onyemachi moved to Manitoba, drawn in part by various provincial incentives for physicians, which included relocation support and educational resources. He signed a contract in December 2023 to work at Trucare for a period of 36 months, beginning in March 2024. The agreement allowed for termination with cause upon 30 days’ notice, or without notice if the clinic deemed he posed a risk to patients or staff.

In his statement of claim, Onyemachi asserts that he was unexpectedly reassigned to the Rivergrove clinic, significantly limiting his patient load and access to resources. He states that Rezazadeh assured him of a busy practice at Trucare, complete with marketing and administrative backing. The transition to Rivergrove, which has fewer facilities, contradicted those promises.

The situation escalated when Onyemachi received a termination letter in September 2024, citing allegations of rudeness and disrespect towards staff, which purportedly made them feel “fearful.” The letter also referenced an email he sent that was characterized as “egregious” and inaccurate. Following this, he was instructed to vacate Trucare within 30 days.

Despite finding new employment in October 2024, Onyemachi claims Trucare failed to transfer his patient records and interfered with his practice by misleading former patients about his whereabouts. He also raised concerns regarding entitlement claims under provincial recruitment programs, alleging that Shared Health had made a $10,000 payment to Rezazadeh without his consent.

Onyemachi further contends that his income at Rivergrove was significantly lower than what he would have earned at Trucare. His lawsuit seeks compensation for wrongful dismissal, breach of contract, and unjust enrichment, along with punitive damages for the alleged misconduct.

These allegations have yet to be proven in court, and formal statements of defense have not been filed. As the case unfolds, it highlights ongoing challenges within the healthcare recruitment landscape in Manitoba. Dr. Rezazadeh has not publicly commented on the lawsuit at this time.