Dr. Robert Stang Sues University of Miami for Age Bias
A longtime employee alleges the university wrongfully terminated him from his hospital position due to his age.
Updated on Oct. 26, 2026 in Human Resources
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Dr. Robert Brian Stang has filed an age discrimination lawsuit against the University of Miami in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida. The 67-year-old physician alleges he was removed from hospital assignments to favor younger staff members.
Why it matters
The lawsuit centers on claims of wrongful termination and professional interference, highlighting concerns about workplace age bias in medical settings. Stang is seeking various forms of compensation, including back pay and damages, following his removal from key duties.
Dr. Stang, who has been employed by the university since 1986, was 67 years old when he was terminated from his hospital role. The complaint outlines a 35-year tenure of successful re-credentialing prior to the current dispute.
The players
Dr. Robert Brian Stang
He is an assistant professor and physician who has worked at the University of Miami since 1986.
University of Miami
This is a private research university located in Florida that operates a large medical center.
Dr. Yiannis Chatzizisis
He is a doctor accused in the lawsuit of interfering with the plaintiff's professional re-credentialing process.
Dr. Joan St. Onge
She is a university official to whom Dr. Stang reported concerns regarding professional conduct.
The details
Stang alleges that Dr. Yiannis Chatzizisis interfered with his re-credentialing application after Stang reported comments to Dr. Joan St. Onge. While the university cites an inability to perform a transesophageal echocardiogram as the reason for termination, Stang contends he was replaced to accommodate younger staff.
Timeline
1986: Dr. Stang began his employment with the University of Miami.
March 2024: Stang was removed from his ultrasound-reading assignment.
Early June 2024: Stang reported comments to Dr. Joan St. Onge.
Sept. 21, 2024: Stang was officially removed from his echo lab assignment.
Oct. 1, 2024: Stang stopped receiving his full compensation.
Market Landscape
This litigation highlights the ongoing friction between academic medical centers and veteran staff regarding professional retirement and staffing transitions. The case underscores broader industry challenges in balancing the need for evolving clinical teams with the protection of experienced, older medical professionals.
This case serves as a reminder to employees regarding their rights to fair treatment and the importance of documenting workplace conflicts. Patients or clients of the university may see changes in staffing or clinical leadership as a result of ongoing legal scrutiny.
The takeaway
Legal disputes involving long-term staff highlight the necessity of transparent personnel policies and clear communication during performance reviews. Professionals facing unexpected changes to their job duties should maintain thorough records of both their performance and any internal reporting of workplace grievances.
Further reading
For more context on workplace policies, visit the Human Resources section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Legal Newsline.
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