Jackson-VA Medical Director in Radiologist's Hostile Work Environment Dispute Retiring

Full Article at: Jackson VA medical director retiring
"Four months after a group of physicians called for her resignation, the medical director of the G.V. "Sonny" Montgomery Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Jackson has announced she is retiring.

In a letter this week to employees, Linda Watson said she is leaving, effective Jan. 29."

"Watson said she is retiring from the Department of Veterans Affairs after a career spanning more than 30 years.

In August, a physician union at the VA was extremely critical of Watson's leadership at the medical center. That month, a U.S. District Court jury awarded retroactive pay raises to three radiologists who had complained of a hostile work environment at the Jackson VA. The jury did not award any other damages.

Attorneys for the VA disputed this claim, and the jury award is being appealed to the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans.

Joseph Simon, president of the National Federation of Federal Employees, Local 589, which represents VA physicians in non-supervisory positions, said Thursday he hopes a new VA Medical Center management team will work cooperatively with employees to serve veterans."