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Credit: Instagram

Annemarie Wiley has filed a defamation lawsuit against the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA).

Over a year after the organization accused her of “title misappropriation” in a post shared on its Instagram page after Crystal Kung-Minkoff, 42, suggested she had claimed to be an anesthesiologist rather than a nurse, the 41-year-old Real Housewives of Beverly Hills alum is calling out the ASA for its smear campaign and false claims against her.

“I have recently filed a lawsuit against the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) because of their public smear campaign against me stemming from their IG post during my time as a cast member on The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills. I continue to experience significant harm from their false and defamatory IG post about me. While I have not publicly disclosed my lawsuit, I am now aware of the ASA’s decision to publicize on their website my lawsuit against them,” Annemarie wrote in a post shared on February 12.

“Let me be clear — my lawsuit is solely about the ASA’s malicious, false, targeted, and defamatory statements about me. I have always proudly, publicly, and consistently stated that I am a CRNA. I have never stated that I am an anesthesiologist or a medical doctor during my time on The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills or otherwise,” she continued. “This is not a debate over professional titles, despite the ASA’s attempts to now mischaracterize it as such. This is about holding the ASA accountable for its shameful and blatant lies … I trust that the truth will come to light through the proper channels.”

“Defamation has no place in health care,” Annemarie concluded. 

Following the sharing of her announcement, Annemarie was met with support from many of her fans and followers.

“I’m so sorry you have to deal with this … I support you friend,” one person wrote.

“Good for you! Nurses are so sick of being punched down on. Thanks for fighting the good fight. I hope you hit them right where it hurts, their pocketbooks,” said another. 

Someone else said, “I hope you win. (And, I think you will).”

“A medical organization inserting themselves in Housewives drama was SO insane,” wrote another RHOBH viewer.

“I support the lawsuit you filed! The only person who stated you were a ‘dr’ on the show was Crystal and she stated that you said it off camera, so I’d put her in your lawsuit,” someone else suggested.

After the ASA posted its statement against her on Instagram in early 2024, Annemarie reacted with a message of her own.

“I am a CRNA, a certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist. I am extremely proud of my profession. I will not be accused of title misappropriation because a [castmate] needed a [storyline] on a reality TV show,” she stated. “This is my real life and my career. I am not an anesthesiologist, nor have I ever claimed to be one. I have immense respect for physician anesthesiologists, show respect to CRNAs as well. This type of unhealthy discourse only causes friction and professional division.”

“Political issues exist between physician anesthesiologists and CRNAs, which explains their current attack on me and the CRNA profession,” she added. “My aim is to educate the public on who CRNAs are and what we do in providing the highest quality of anesthesia care to those we serve.”

Annemarie Wiley appeared on the 13th season of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills.