A former Cookeville Regional Medical Center cardiologist has surrendered his medical license after admitting he faked a cancer diagnosis and falsified credentials to cover up an extramarital affair.
The Tennessee Board of Medical Examiners approved a consent order January 20 regarding Dr. Christopher David Adams following an investigation into his conduct. Adams voluntarily surrendered his license and waived his right to a hearing and judicial review regarding the findings.
Adams worked as a cardiologist for Tennessee Heart at Cookeville Regional Medical Center for five years until his termination in late 2023. Hospital officials began an internal review of his cases in July 2023 after three patients associated with his care died within a two-day period. Adams filed for medical leave on July 31 claiming he required treatment for cancer at Vanderbilt University Medical Center and the Cleveland Clinic.
Investigations revealed that Adams never suffered from cancer and did not train at the Cleveland Clinic as he had claimed. He admitted to submitting fraudulent letters of recommendation to support his fabrication regarding his medical training and treatment.
The doctor moved to Baptist Health Lexington in Kentucky in 2024 where he subsequently resigned after staff reported he asked them to falsify supervision documents. The Commonwealth of Kentucky Board of Medical Licensure filed an agreed order of surrender on August 1 that prevents him from petitioning for reinstatement for at least two years.
The Virginia Department of Health Professions suspended the medical license held by Adams in August following the disciplinary actions taken in Kentucky and Tennessee.
