Officials of the state?s Health Department disputed claims thatthe top leaders of its AIDS Administration are resigning out of frustration with their oversight.
Members of the AIDS Legislative Committee, a nonprofit group advocating AIDS prevention policy, told The Examiner earlier this week they believe the acting director of the state?s AIDS Administration, Dr. Naomi Tomoyasu, and the acting deputy director, Dr. Madeleine Shea, were restricted in their ability to implement programs and comment publicly on legislative issues. Both announced in April that they are leaving the administration.
That?s not true, according to Dr. Michelle Gourdine, deputy secretary of the state?s Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, which superintends the AIDS Administration.
“Both submitted their resignations because they got better opportunities, and they wanted to pursue those opportunities,” Gourdine said Tuesday.
Gourdine said she works to communicate openly with the ALC and will meet with members in June. She described the group?s fears that 33 contractual jobs would be cut as a “misconception” and said the jobs will be made permanent.
The ALC also lobbied against a proposal that would divert rebates from pharmaceutical companies away from the Maryland AIDS Drug Assistance Program and into the state?s general fund. Gourdine said the move would not affect services and said the administration would still be able to fully meet its clients? medical needs.
Earlier this week, ALC members Ann Ciekot and Lynda Dee described to The Examiner a difficult relationship between the administration and its parent department. At the time, Gourdine spokesman John Hammond refused to comment, citing personnel statutes.
“It?s a very uncertain time,” Dee said previously. “It?s very obvious to me that people are either being malicious or just don?t understand.”
The ALC wants Gourdine to consider its recommendationsto replace Tomoyasu and Shea, who is still in the administration?s office. On Wednesday, committee member Dr. David Haltiwanger said the group?s top priority is the administration?s future.
In an e-mail response to The Examiner, Gourdine wrote that Gov. Robert Ehrlich and the department leaders share the staff?s commitment to fighting AIDS.
