A Missouri appellate court has affirmed a full order of protection against Jared Levy Ross, DO, a former emergency medicine fellow, after he sent his therapist highly detailed messages planning the torture and murder of his former program supervisor more than two years following his termination.
The case stems from Ross’s 2019 dismissal from the emergency medicine fellowship at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. Tensions reached a boiling point in late August 2021. Police informed S.A.B., the program supervisor involved in his earlier disciplinary actions, that she faced credible threats to her life. Records show Ross sent the messages from New York on August 27, 2021, which were received by his therapist in Missouri that night.
In the texts, Ross fixated on S.A.B., writing, “The biggest thing stopping me is [S.A.B.].” He added, “I don’t want to take her with me, but I want to make her suffer,” and then described his intentions in graphic detail: “My plan is to inject a paralytic agent into her veins, the same paralytic agent she fired me for using on a patient. And then remove both of her eyes, her tongue and all 4 limbs, being careful to keep her alive and prevent her from bleeding out. I want her to live, but I want her to wish I killed her.” He further stated that using a gun would be “too easy” and that the violence would occur on his own chosen timeline.
Although Ross and S.A.B. had no direct interaction after his 2019 termination for character and professional conduct problems, he knew her home address and had not returned a bulletproof vest and knife from the program. When authorities alerted her to the threats, S.A.B. took immediate and comprehensive safety precautions. She packed essentials, obtained a burner phone, withdrew cash, removed all social media accounts, purchased additional firearms, notified her employer and coworkers, and stayed away from her residence for approximately six weeks.
On July 21, 2022, a St. Louis County circuit court granted a full order of protection against Ross pursuant to the Missouri Adult Abuse Act, set to last until July 15, 2027. Ross appealed the decision, but the Missouri Court of Appeals, Eastern District, upheld the order on September 19, 2023, in case 21SL-PN03826-01. Judges ruled that the combination of the explicit threats and the prior professional history satisfied the requirements for stalking and justified S.A.B.’s reasonable fear of harm.
Ross had separately filed suit against Washington University in case 2122-CC09423, which was later dismissed without prejudice after he failed to appear for trial.
Kirkwood Police Department reports detail officers performing a welfare check at S.A.B.’s home following notification from St. Louis County Police, who had been contacted by Ross’s therapist, Dr. Gary Behrman. S.A.B. viewed the threat as highly credible and secured an emergency protection order the same day. The reports also noted Ross had no-showed for his shift at Christian Northeast Hospital. A supplemental report confirmed that St. Louis Metropolitan Police placed Ross under an involuntary mental health commitment, holding him for a minimum of 96 hours.
Ross serves as a Senior Fellow for Do No Harm, a national organization of medical professionals that advocates for patient safety, evidence-based medicine, and opposition to identity politics, DEI initiatives, and gender-affirming care for minors — all centered on the medical principle of “first, do no harm.”
The contradiction is particularly jarring. While publicly associated with a group dedicated to preventing harm in medicine, Ross authored some of the most sadistic threats possible against a former colleague. This is especially notable given his frequent commentary on X (@DrJaredRoss) regarding transgender issues, circumcision, and children. It raises significant questions that Do No Harm continues to afford him any role or voice on matters involving harm in healthcare.
Despite the court findings and involuntary mental health hold, Ross continues to hold medical licenses across multiple jurisdictions:
- Michigan (Osteopathic Physician, #5101022067)
- South Carolina (Medical License, #92699)
- Alabama (Medical License, #2264)
- Pennsylvania (Medical License, #OT016044)
- Missouri (Physician – Emergency Medicine, #2018008991)
- Florida (Telehealth Provider Registration, #TPOS42)
Difficult personnel decisions are common in rigorous medical training programs. Most professionals move on after termination without further issues, but this case highlights how lingering grievances can turn dangerous years later. The therapist acted appropriately by reporting the messages, and law enforcement’s response helped avert potential harm.
Healthcare leaders have a duty to protect patients and staff through strong documentation practices, clear post-termination policies, and effective threat response protocols. However, gaps in the current system — particularly heavy reliance on self-reporting — often leave hiring institutions without complete information regarding an individual’s full background, including terminations, protection orders, or mental health interventions.
Actionable Advice: Medical organizations should regularly review and tighten their procedures. This includes comprehensive multi-state licensing verification, careful reference checks, and appropriate internal mechanisms for sharing safety information. Anyone who becomes aware of credible threats should document everything and contact law enforcement immediately.
Although disturbing, this case shows the judicial system can deliver protection when presented with compelling evidence. Such extreme incidents remain rare, but greater transparency and preparedness can help build safer environments throughout healthcare.
This article is based solely on publicly available court records, police reports, and official dockets.
