Monterey County doctors demand change after what they are calling an “illegal termination”; county says they’re fully staffed
SALINAS, Calif (KION-TV) - In Salinas, dozens of medical professionals from across Monterey County protested on Tuesday morning over what they call a "wrongful termination" of a local doctor by the Monterey County Health Department.
Protestors allege Dr. Cris Carillo's termination was in retaliation for his patient care advocacy, all while doctors remain in contract negotiations.
"We've been on a campaign to try to improve the conditions for our patients in the clinic, and we've been going through our chain of command to try to get a seat at the table with them. And time and again, we've been our concerns have been diminished, ignored," Dr. Cris Carrillo said.
Dr. Carrillo, who worked at Alisal Health Center, claims he and his colleagues had their concerns surrounding care downplayed and they were, “labeled as toxic by upper management”.
"They saw me as an easy target and tried to make an example out of me, but we're here to show them that even if I'm not here, we're going to continue," Dr. Carrillo said.
The doctors of Monterey County Health Department clinics and hospitals, are now calling on the county to address multiple demands. That includes reinstating Dr. Carrillo, including care providers in decision affecting patient care, and removing at-will status to provide job security.
"We have been in good faith negotiations with the doctors union. Of course, there has been no impasse, and so we continue to negotiate in good faith, absolutely," County of Monterey Communications Director Nick Pasculi said.
When asked about the situation with Dr. Carrillo’s termination the County of Monterey said all employee relations matters are confidential.
In terms of the impact of the half day protect on the health department’s operations, Pasculi said, “our clinics are fully staffed for up this morning, there will be no interruption in patient care whatsoever.”
Many protestors also speaking during Tuesday’s county board of supervisors meeting to emphasize their demands.
“Do you want your doctor to feel comfortable bringing that concern to the administration, or do you want your doctor to sit on that patient safety concern because they're afraid of being fired," family physician Dr Joshua Deutsch said.
County of Monterey officials said, they remain committed to reaching an agreement on a foundational contract that addresses the union’s concerns while balancing the fiscal constraints and operational needs of the county.
