Former Bothwell Regional Health Center employee files discrimination suit

A former employee at Bothwell Regional Health Center filed a lawsuit against the hospital this week, alleging she suffered discrimination on the basis of gender and retaliation after she reported her concerns.

Loretta Grubb worked as a radiology technician at Bothwell from November 2005 through July 2008. On Tuesday, Grubb filed an employment discrimination suit against the City of Sedalia doing business as Bothwell Regional Health Center in Pettis County Circuit Court.

A spokesperson for Bothwell said the hospital had not received notice of the suit as of Wednesday, so hospital officials were unable to speak about the details of the lawsuit.

Grubb alleges in the suit that Dr. Ryan K. Edwards routinely made inappropriate comments and screamed at her and other female staff members, but did not treat male staff members the same.

Edwards is not employed by the hospital, but is a private physician with staff privileges, meaning he can admit patients to the hospital, as well as treat patients at the facility, said Lisa Church, director of marketing and communications at the health center.

Representatives from Edwards’ office declined to comment on the allegations when contacted by The Democrat.

According to the lawsuit, Grubb became afraid to work with Edwards after several incidents, and she filed a report with the hospital’s human resources department. After filing the report, Grubb claimed she “began to experience retaliation from Dr. Edwards and defendant Bothwell.”

Grubb said she was written up after saying she did not feel comfortable working with Edwards, was denied a leave in April 2008 and sent to Employee Assistance Program counseling in June 2008.

Grubb “was also threatened by defendant that she could be reported and her license may be in jeopardy if she (refused) to work with Dr. Edwards,” the suit alleges.

In July 2008, Grubb was terminated for “repeatedly engaging in behavior that did not meet standards,” but Grubb said she lost her job because of her gender and in retaliation for reporting discrimination by Edwards.

Grubb, who requested a jury trial in the case, is seeking reinstatement of her position as radiology technician as well as payment for compensatory and punitive damages and litigation costs.