Mediate or Litigate? Court Pushes for Resolution in D.C. Surgery Dispute!

In a recent court hearing, D.C. Superior Court Judge Maurice Ross ordered mediation in the District of Columbia’s ongoing civil lawsuit against Vita Surgical Group LLC over allegations of unlicensed cosmetic procedures.

The lawsuit, prompted by complaints from four patients regarding liposuction procedures, is set to proceed to trial if a settlement isn’t reached. The mediation session is scheduled for July 8, 2025.

In August 2024, the District filed a civil lawsuit accusing Vita Surgical Group of operating without the necessary legal approvals, contravening local regulations overseeing healthcare facilities and surgical services.

Vita Surgical Group’s main clinic is located at 908 New Hampshire Ave. NW, Suite 400, D.C., where it offers a range of cosmetic medical procedures, including liposuction, Botox, lip injections, and breast implants. The practice is led by Dr. Henok Araya, the sole physician listed on the company’s website.

Since 2019, the District has repeatedly alerted Vita Surgical Group about its non-compliance with accreditation requirements necessary to perform the advertised medical procedures.

According to an investigation by the Department of Health Board of Medicine, Vita Surgical Group has been operating without a license since its opening in 2005.

The allegations against the group include: Unlawful Offering of Ambulatory Surgical Procedures Without a Certificate of Need (D.C. Code § 44-401(a)), Unlawful Provision of Ambulatory Surgical Procedures Without a Certificate of Need (D.C. Code § 44-401(a)), and Unlawful Operation of An Ambulatory Surgical Facility Without a License (D.C. Code § 44-502(a)).

Jordyn Britton is a dedicated reporter with HUNewsService.com.