Physician's assistant claims age discrimination

A Galveston County man filed suit against the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston for alleged age discrimination.

Jerome B. Rourke filed a complaint Sept. 26 in Galveston County District Court against the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, citing age discrimination and retaliation.

According to the complaint, Rourke had been employed as a physician assistant at the UT Medical Branch in Galveston since November 1993, and was was assigned to the gastroenterology/internal medicine division in May 2013. Rourke alleges that due to his age and the failure of the defendants to comply with annual performance reviews, he was denied fair compensation for his services.

Rourke says he is one of the oldest physician assistants employed by the defendants, and that until Aug. 2, 2013, he was the lowest paid of those older than 40.

Rourke seeks relief for back and front pay, lost wages and benefits, damage to reputation, court and legal costs and all else the court deems fair.

He is represented by attorneys Mickey N. Das and Joseph Y. Ahmad of Ahmad, Zavitsanos, Anaipakos, Alavi & Mensing of Houston.

Galveston County District Court case number: 405:14-CV-1017