WILLIAMSPORT — A board certified orthopedic surgeon accuses UPMC Susquehanna of firing him in 2017 from its hospital in Lock Haven because of his age.

Dr. Zefferino Martinez, 70, of Danville, makes the allegation in a civil rights suit against the health system filed Tuesday in U.S. Middle District Court.

The surgeon claims on Nov. 3, 2017, he was told Susquehanna was moving in a different direction, his services were no longer needed and his termination had nothing to do with his performance.

He had a full schedule of surgeries over the coming months at the time he was terminated, the complaint states.

Martinez, in support of his age discrimination complaint, contends his position was filled by a younger ankle and foot specialist who is performing many of the same procedures he did.

Since his termination he says he has three times applied to UPMC Susquehanna after seeing postings for the position of “orthopedic surgery” but he not gotten a response.

Martinez’s medical degree is from the University of San Luis Potosi in Mexico and he completed his residency in orthopedic surgery at Memorial Hospital in Newfoundland in 1981.

He completed a spine fellowship at St. Luke’s Episcopal Hospital in Houston, Texas, the following year and became a board certified orthopedic surgeon in 19986.

He was hired Dec. 1, 2016, before Susquehanna Health became part of UPMC but claims he was assured after the acquisition his contract would be honored.

His suit points out there were discussions about purchasing or leasing equipment for his practice and hiring an X-ray technician for him and other physicians.

Prior to his position at the Lock Haven hospital, Martinez served as an orthopedic surgeon at Geisinger Bloomsburg and Berwick CHS hospitals.

His suit seeks unspecified damages to compensate him for lost wages and benefits, mental anguish and loss of enjoyment of life.