From NationalPost.com

A group of 20 top pediatric surgeons from around the world has accused Canada’s biggest children’s hospital of subjecting a star physician to an “incessant personal attack” over alleged workplace harassment.

The Hospital for Sick Children must move to “exonerate” Dr. Agostino Pierro before his reputation is irreparably and unfairly damaged, the surgeons argue in a letter obtained by the National Post.

Pierro has been accused of harassing and bullying staff at the Toronto institution, prompting an independent investigation and his suspension as head of general and thoracic surgery. But colleagues from as far afield as Tokyo, Cape Town and Houston insist those charges “cannot possibly be true.”

“It has been increasingly apparent that Professor Pierro has been subjected to an incessant personal attack,” they say, making an unusual intervention into the personnel affairs of SickKids. “The knowledge of that attack has reached beyond Canada to the international surgical community. We are appalled to see this happen to an academic leader of such high standing and impeccable reputation.”

The hospital refused comment on the international luminaries’ plea, saying it would not discuss “employee-related matters,” though details of the affair were exposed in court months ago.

But Brian Grosman, the prominent employment lawyer who represents Pierro, said he is expecting an announcement regarding his client’s status within a few weeks. The surgeon, still working in the operating room and doing research, has been locked out of his administrative office since April.

Grosman said he and his client are “pleased” with the report submitted last month by lawyer Rachel Turnpenny, the independent investigator hired by SickKids, calling it thorough and competent.

Grosman blasted the hospital, though, for taking a “highly adversarial” approach to what he said were largely anonymous, unfounded allegations.

“It could have been handled in a much more professional manner,” the lawyer said.