The chair of the London Health Sciences Centre’s board of directors has resigned in the wake of a wrongful dismissal lawsuit that alleges she was aware of the former hospital CEO’s cross-border travel during the pandemic.
Amy Walby resigned from her volunteer position on Wednesday.
“I am deeply saddened by the events that have transpired over the past few days,” Walby said in a statement issued Thursday morning. “While I stand firm in my belief and understanding that I did nothing wrong, my resignation is a reflection of my deep commitment to doing what is best for the greater good. I regret that these events have caused distraction for hospital staff and the community at such a critical time.”
Board member Phyllis Retty has been named acting chair, effective immediately.
The LHSC stressed that Walby’s decision to leave the job is not an admission of wrongdoing. It went on to deny the allegations made by Dr. Paul Woods in the statement of claim of a $2.5 million lawsuit filed this week. The LHSC added that it will respond to those allegations “in due course when the statement of defense is made a matter of public record.”
Woods’ termination from his position with the hospital was announced on Monday, just days after it was publicly revealed that he had travelled to the U.S. to see immediate family five times since March. At the time of his dismissal, the board stated that it had no knowledge of Woods’ travel plans.
That has since been refuted by Woods’ lawyer, who claims the hospital boss on three occasions electronically consulted Walby about his intended travel. Allegations made in Woods' statement of claim have not yet been tested in court.
For the first time since Woods' termination, the LHSC offered some clarification about the events that transpired. It said that Woods was terminated without cause and that details of his exit package cannot be released as they are part of a lawsuit.
"Dr. Woods’ travels to the U.S. were known by many people at the hospital and in the community, as Dr. Woods did not attempt to hide his whereabouts," the hospital said. "When objections to Dr. Woods’ travel were raised by those at LHSC, he advised that he had the support of the board chair and as such there was no room for further discussion or action."
Woods did disclose "aspects of his travel" to the board and the board chair, but it was not until January 8 that the board was made aware of the full extent of the travel, LHSC claimed.
"Prior to travelling to the United States in August 2020, Dr. Woods raised the matter of his need to periodically travel (and subsequently work from home during a quarantine period) with the chair of the board. He asked her for guidance including whether he should bring the matter to the board," the hospital stated. "The chair indicated to Dr. Woods that he had her support and said that it was a personal matter that did not require board approval."
LHSC also announced on Thursday, Vice President and Chief Clinical Officer Dr. Jackie Schleifer Taylor has been appointed as the hospital's interim president and CEO. Schleifer Taylor has been a senior executive at the LHSC for the past five years.
