ELYRIA – EMH Regional Medical Center has issued a further statement about the suspension of one of its orthopedic surgeons.

“EMH takes quality of care and patient safety very seriously,” EMH President Donald Sheldon said in a statement e-mailed Thursday night to The Chronicle. “It is very unfortunate that this situation occurred.”

John Krebs agreed Dec. 9 to have his medical license suspended for at least 270 days because of his drug and alcohol abuse, according to documents from the State Medical Board of Ohio.

Krebs’ last day at the hospital was Dec. 7, EMH spokeswoman Kristen Davis said.

The medical board filed a complaint against Krebs in August, accusing the well-known surgeon of drinking on the job, abusing the painkiller tramadol and writing a prescription for the anti-depressant Zoloft for a family member but using the drug himself to combat his own depression.

In the deal reached last month with the medical board, Krebs acknowledged the accusations were true and agreed to take several steps, including substance abuse treatment and subjecting himself to drug tests as part of his suspension.

When Krebs returns to the medical profession, he likely will remain subject to certain conditions to prevent a relapse, according to the medical board.

In its first statement, the hospital only said Krebs had made significant contributions to orthopedic care in the community and that it looked forward to having him back.

Sheldon also apologized for Krebs’ behavior in the e-mailed statement, which came after a Chronicle-Telegram editorial Thursday criticized the hospital’s initial response.

“Please know that it was taken seriously and continues to be addressed in an appropriate manner,” Sheldon said. “We apologize for what transpired and will work hard to regain any confidence that has been lost.”

Sheldon also said Krebs, who started at EMH in 1994, “has made significant contributions to the health of our community.”

“We know that he wants nothing more than to once again have this opportunity, and we are therefore confident that this will occur,” Sheldon said.

Contact Brad Dicken at 329-7147 or bdicken@chroniclet.com.

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