IMO it would have been better to have a discussion with her. Thats probably what I would do with a good employee.
As a doctor he probably didn’t really consider the people side. Just my guess.
Or he could be heartless bastard, I have no idea.
as a cynic and a “I don’t trust, that’s why i verify” person, i do not believe the whole “my firing note WAS humane” excuse from him. i have a pretty good bs detector.