Dallas VA hospital puts nurse on administrative duty after lesbian Marine veteran’s complaint

[The Philosopher]

from the Dallas Voice

Last month we told you about http://www.dallasvoice.com/va-nurse-accused-anti-gay-tirade-1093109.html">Esther Garatie, a lesbian Marine veteran who says she became the victim of anti-gay harassment by a nurse practitioner when she sought mental health treatment at the Dallas VA Medical Center.

Today http://news.change.org/stories/after-alleged-homophobic-rant-to-lesbian-marine-vet-dallas-va-nurse-prevented-from-seeing-patients">Change.org is reporting — and Dallas Voice has confirmed — that the nurse practitioner, Lincy Pandithurai, has been placed on administrative duty pending the outcome of the VA Medical Center’s investigation into Garatie’s complaint.

“We started a fact-finding review when this allegation was first brought to our attention,” VA Medical Center spokeswoman Monica A. Smith said in an email. “To get a more in-depth look at the allegation, VA North Texas is now conducting an administrative investigation board review and expects to have that completed by the end of November. The nurse named in the allegation is currently placed on administrative duties while the investigation is ongoing.”

http://www.dallasvoice.com/va-nurse-administrative-duty-pending-investigation-lesbian-marine-veterans-allegations-1094505.html">Click Here To Read More

[William769]

1. "fact-finding review", need more be said?

Recommended.

[yardwork]

2. You have to read the article at the link to believe this.

From the source:

Written above are the exact words that my friend Esther Garatie used to describe her recent visit to the Dallas VA Medical Center. Esther is a Marine veteran, wounded in service to her country and Honorably Discharged from the Marines as a result. She walked into a mental health clinic at the Dallas VA Medical Center on October 12, 2011 and was seen by a nurse practitioner named Lincy T. Pandithurai. Nurse Pandithurai subjected Esther to a vitriolic, hateful rant that lasted THREE hours (you read that right!) on the topic of Esther's sexual orientation. Ms. Pandithurai told Esther that the only reason she's depressed is because she's gay.

When Esther broke into tears, Ms. Pandithurai announced that her tears were clearly a manifestation of guilt over her sexual orientation (rather than distress at being abused while seeking help). Ms. Pandithurai stated that Esther is living in darkness and needs to "return to the light." She also told Esther that there are churches now that "actually accept homosexuals and can help you get your life back on track and stop choosing to be gay." She further stated that "homosexuality used to be a diagnosis until recently, but they changed it because of Obama." (In point of fact, homosexuality was removed from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders in 1973. President Obama was 11 at the time.)

[w8liftinglady]

3. Sigh. NOW do you see why I remain a nurse in Dallas?

We have to have someone on OUR side,for crying out loud!

[DURHAM D]

4. Thank you.

A bully, is a bully, is a bully. Hope they burn her ass.

[yardwork]

5. Thank you for your service.