Reid ... "I started some very important work and I didn't have any anticipation that it would end prematurely."

Petrina Francis, Staff Reporter

Embattled Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the University Hospital of the West Indies (UHWI), Stephanie Reid, is taking legal action against the hospital, insisting that politics has a hand in the controversy surrounding her and the hospital's board.

"I am taking legal action and that is being worked out. There have been various contacts (with my lawyer and the hospital) and I will await the outcome," Ms. Reid told The Gleaner in an exclusive interview yesterday.

She added: "I have to go the legal route to clear my name because a lot of things have been said and I hope whatever attempt to damage my name is addressed."

Her lawyer is Dennis Morrison, Q. C.

Asked if she was also defending her employment status at the facility, Ms. Reid responded: "I am trained to do what I do and if I am ever to work at the UHWI again, then surely."

Political influence

"There are things that transpired that led to where I am now and those would have to be cleared up; things that I felt were not right, and those would have to be cleared," she said.

Speaking with The Gleaner at the Knutsford Court Hotel, New Kingston, Ms. Reid said politics could have influenced the disagreement between her and the board. She declined, however, to give details.

"There were political overtones and we are not used to it, but I don't want to say much now. The UHWI is not used to that; we are used to being professionals and we must be treated that way," Ms. Reid said.

She dismissed suggestions that her contract expires next month.

"I am not aware of it expiring in March, somebody should have advised me. The contract says it is for three years in the first instance but continues under certain conditions," she said.

Ms. Reid further asserted that the contract stated that she could only sever ties with the institution if either party gave six months notice.

"I was operating on the basis that I would be there. I started some very important work and I didn't have any anticipation that it would end prematurely," she said.

The embattled CEO has also dismissed suggestions that she has resigned from the hospital.

Ms. Reid explained that when she was called to the meeting with select members of the board, she was asked if she knew about the company Cyto Histo Path Research Centre. She said that she replied that it was a company for which she shared co-directorship with two friends.

According to Ms. Reid, she was then asked if she had a part in Consumables Direct, which is owned by one of her co-directors, who does work for the hospital.

Ms. Reid told The Gleaner that she was then told that because the director of Consumables Direct was a co-director in her business, there was a conflict of interest.

"I could not see the conflict and the discussion continued and I was told that even if they believed what I was saying, there is the perception out there and the news media have it and he (board chairman Hugh Scott) is going to protect the hospital at all cost," she related. "I was still contending that I don't see the conflict because I was not a part of that business that does work for the hospital."

After much debate, Ms. Reid said she then stated that she would resign.

She confirmed, however, that she had not yet resigned.

"My position was very responsible. If I am to resign, I have to give proper notice. I have things that I was doing that I will need to bring up to a point where I can hand over properly so there is continuity. I was in the middle of the budget, so I did not intend to resign with immediate effect."

And where does she go from here?

"One just doesn't sit and wait and the world passes by. I am always an energetic person, so I am going to make sure that I am doing something."

Meanwhile, even as Ms. Reid insists that she has not resigned, the board of the hospital has reportedly appointed Professor Archibald McDonald to act as CEO.