Freeman Neosho officials and a former employee who is suing them for wrongful dismissal will meet 10 a.m. June 28 with a mediator, according to a document filed today in U. S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri.
Charis Seaton, Joplin, is asking for more than $10 million in actual and punitive damages, plus an apology from hospital officials. In her petition, she said Freeman Neosho Chief Operating Officer Janice Walker violated criminal law by obtaining and disclosing patients' health information. The patients to whom Ms. Seaton is referring allegedly "were having sex with the Freeman Hospital physician who was under investigation for allegedly abusing drugs," according to the lawsuit.The petition also says Ms. Walker used Ms. Seaton's private medical records for her own gain. Ms. Seaton said she was fired after she brought Ms. Walker's activities to the attention of Alisha Asquith, human resources employee relations manager, and Deborah Chiodo, human resources director.
According to today's filing, the mediator will be Jane A. Smith, of Beetem & Card, L. L. C., in Jefferson City. No specific location was given for the session. The document says it will be "at a location to be identified in or near Joplin."