Former MetroHealth System CEO Dr. Akram Boutros on Friday withdrew his lawsuit against the hospital’s board of trustees that sought $20 million in damages.

The board fired Boutros last November for awarding himself bonuses the board contends he was not entitled to receive. Boutros, who has repaid the bonuses while insisting the compensation was allowed, sued the board a month later, claiming the board breached its contract with him and defamed him. 

“Plaintiff requested that counsel dismiss the case at this time because he is experiencing a serious health issue that requires intensive treatment, including week-long inpatient admissions every three weeks,” Jason R. Bristol, one of Boutro’s attorneys, wrote in a court filing. “His medical team has advised that he is not able to fully participate in pretrial or trial proceedings. He will refile the case as soon as his treatment is completed.” 

Dr. E. Harry Walker, MetroHealth board president, said, “The filing by Dr. Boutros speaks for itself. We wish him a speedy return to health.”

Court records show the case was headed to trial on Feb. 12, and a response from Boutros to the hospital’s request for summary judgment was due next week.

Boutros’ defamation suit detailed his defense against allegations that he paid himself $1.9 million in bonuses without the board’s approval. He argued in the suit that he had the authority to accept the bonuses because the board had granted him broad powers to set compensation – including incentive pay – and that they didn’t ask for details until his final months on the job. 

Before his termination, Boutros had already been set to leave MetroHealth at the end of last year.