Feb. 16, 2016 — Joe Woodin is hired as president and CEO of Martha’s Vineyard Hospital. The offer letter is signed by Tim Sweet, chairman of the board, and Dr. Peter L. Slavin, president of Mass General Hospital, and reads: “As we have come to know you, your competency, vision, integrity and commitment have come shining through. We are confident that you are a perfect fit for MVH, and equally important, MVH will be a perfect fit for you.”

May 13, 2016 — Letter agreement is signed formalizing the terms of Mr. Woodin’s employment. His base pay is set at $400,000 and he is eligible to earn up to 15 per cent of his salary at the end of each year, pro-rated for 2016.

Nov. 2016 — Mr. Woodin receives a “double bonus,” and his performance is deemed “stellar,” according to his attorney in documents filed in court.

Jan. 5, 2017 — Mr. Woodin receives a loan from the hospital for $250,000 to help him buy a house. The hospital agrees to give him an extra $50,000 bonus, plus interest, for five years to repay the loan, provided he remains employed in good standing as CEO.

June 5, 2017 — Mr. Woodin is fired in a meeting with board chairman Tim Sweet and vice chairman Edward Miller.

June 7, 2017 — Hospital board meets and confirms Mr. Woodin’s firing in a 14-1 vote.

June 22, 2017 — First round of settlement negotiations end after Mr. Woodin fires his first lawyer.

July — Oct. 2017 — Settlement negotiations continue between new lawyers for Mr. Woodin and hospital attorneys.

Sept. 27, 2017 — Hospital discovers it has “mistakenly” continued to pay Mr. Woodin since his firing.

Oct. 13, 2017 — Mr. Woodin files for arbitration over his firing with the American Arbitration Association, alleging breach of contract and bad faith by the hospital and deliberate interference with his contract by Mr. Sweet.

Dec. 14, 2017 — Hospital files response and counterclaims, alleging that Martha’s Vineyard Hospital, Mass General Hospital and Mr. Sweet “are not liable in any form or amount to Mr. Woodin.” It further claims Mr. Woodin is in breach of his housing loan and asks that he immediately pay the $250,000 loan plus interest and return $130,750 he was paid after he was terminated.

Feb. 16, 2018 — Mr. Woodin confirms he has been hired as CEO of a hospital in Homer, Alaska.

March 5, 2018 — Hospital files lawsuit in Dukes County superior court, noting Mr. Woodin’s Vineyard house is on the market and seeking a ruling in advance of the arbitration proceeding that he must return the $250,000 loan.

March 9, 2018 — After a hearing, the Hon. Cornelius Moriarty denies the hospital’s request, saying: “I am not persuaded that the plaintiffs will prevail in the arbitration proceeding, and accordingly there is no reasonable likelihood that the plaintiffs herein will recover judgment.” The judge also noted that the hospital’s motion to seal some of the documents was withdrawn in open court.