Gila Regional Medical Center, a 68-bed hospital in Silver City, N.M., cut five administrative positions Tuesday, according to the Silver City Daily Press.
Holley Hudgins, director of Gila Regional Medical Center cardiology, cancer center and hospital-based physician practices, was one of the employees let go. She's married to New Mexico State Representative Rudy Martinez, who claims his wife was fired in retaliation against him for raising questions about recent changes made at the hospital's cancer center.
"Last week, I called on the state auditor to investigate the Gila Regional Medical Center's decision-making process in changing providers for the Cancer Center," said Mr. Martinez in a press release issued Wednesday. "Yesterday, the hospital terminated the employment of my wife, which smacks of the worst kind of petty politics by CEO Taffy Arias and members of the GRMC board of trustees."
Ms. Arias denied Mr. Martinez's accusations and said the hospital eliminated the administrative positions to streamline management.
"The decision was clearly, strictly business, to reorganize our hospital and leadership so we are much more efficient and we focus our money on taking care of patients," said Ms. Arias, according to the report.
More articles on leadership and management:
3 tips to help executives stop feeling stressed and overworked
VA forced to rehire fired DC medical director after appeal
4 insights on why female physicians may be less engaged with their work