A vice president at Ventura, Calif.-based Community Memorial Health System filed a lawsuit against the hospital for allegedly failing to protect her from discrimination and bullying at the hands of another executive at the institution, the VC Star reports.
Here are five things to know:
1. Kimberly Bridges, BSN, RN, vice president of CMHS' Centers for Family Health clinic network, filed a lawsuit with the Ventura County Superior Court April 20 against the hospital and Richard Reisman, MD, co-founder and former medical director of the center's clinic system, and current vice president of ambulatory medicine at CMHS.
2. In the complaint, Ms. Bridges alleged she was mistreated by Dr. Reisman for years. Ms. Bridges contended Dr. Reisman repeatedly berated her in front of others, cursed at her and threatened to take action that could jeopardize her job. The complaint also alleges Dr. Reisman complained about working with women and people of other nationalities.
3. Attorneys for CMHS denied Ms. Bridges' allegations in court responses filed earlier in July. The lawyers also claim Ms. Bridges' lawsuit should be thrown out because her complaint was filed after the statute of limitations for the case expired, and because she did not "exhaust her administrative remedies" before filing litigation, the report states.
4. A CMHS spokesperson told the VC Star neither the system nor its leaders can comment on pending litigation.
5. A hearing for the case is scheduled for Sept. 14.
To access the full report, click here.