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NEWS BRIEFS
Former Mildred Mitchell-Bateman CEO sues state
HUNTINGTON — The former chief of a state psychiatric hospital is suing West Virginia's health agency over allegations of gender discrimination and retaliation.
Mary Beth Carlisle was the CEO of Mildred Mitchell-Bateman Hospital in Huntington from 2004 until this month.
She was given a post in the state Bureau for Medical Services, although her lawyer says she hasn't been assigned any duties yet.
In a lawsuit filed in Kanawha County Circuit Court, Carlisle says she was paid less than male CEOs at other state-funded hospitals.
She also says she was removed from her job at Bateman because she spoke publicly about the hospital's ongoing problems with overcrowding.
The Department of Health and Human Resources could not be immediately reached for comment. The agency’s spokesman said Nov. 19, Carlisle’s move was as part of recent restructuring within the DHHR.
Carlisle said she was not allowed to comment as of Nov. 19.
Law said several people had moved to different positions since DHHR cabinet secretary Patsy Hardy took office in September.
“She has redirected several people in the department to where she believes they can maximize their potential and be a benefit to the department,” Law said Nov. 19.
In a press release this month, Hardy said Carlisle would support the department and the Bureau for Medical Services to implement Medicaid's commitment to working with behavioral health providers.
“I commend Ms. Carlisle's accomplishments in her previous role,” Hardy said in the prepared statement. “I continue to analyze employees' talents and positions within the department to facilitate a vision of an agency that is responsive to its constituents and meets established goals within reasonable time frames.”
Law had said no one is currently acting as CEO at Bateman, but the department will be conducting interviews. He said the department hoped to have someone in that position within the next couple of weeks.
“Mary Beth moved to Medicaid where she'll be invaluable,” Law said Nov. 19.
