The top two leaders of the state’s AIDS Administration are resigning over frustration with strict oversight from the Health Department and the governor’s funding decisions, which are restricting their ability to implement programs and comment publicly on legislative issues, members of a AIDS policy group said.
Acting Director Dr. Naomi Tomoyasu’s resignation was effective Tuesday, days after the acting deputy director, Dr. Madeleine Shea, announced she is resigning. Tomoyasu replaced former Director Liza Solomon after she resigned in October 2004 to head the state’s revived AIDS Legislative Committee, a nonprofit group advocating AIDS prevention policy.
Members of that committee suggested reasons for the frequent turnover.
“They have told [Tomoyasu] what to say, tied her hands and drafted speeches for her,” said Lynda Dee, a committee member and president of AIDS Action. “[Solomon] said things were going on that she could not be a part of. Now we know what’s what.”
Members cited proposed contractual job cuts and funding changes in Gov. Robert Ehrlich’s draft budget, as well as threats Ehrlich might fold the administration into its parent department as other sources of frustration.
But Department of Health and Mental Hygiene spokesman John Hammond said the rumors are unfounded and that the proposed changes will not affect services.
Speaking on behalf of Dr. Michelle Gourdine, the department’s deputy secretary who oversees the AIDS Administration, he said she did not limit employees’ abilities to “educate the public about the epidemic.” He said she declined to comment on the committee’s other claims.
“I really don’t think Dr. Gourdine wants to get into it,” he said. “I don’t think it’s appropriate to talk about personnel-related issues.”
Hammond said the department would permit Shea — who is still working in the administration’s office — to speak about her future only. Neither she, nor Tomoyasu, returned phone calls.
Hammond said the department has not begun interviewing candidates to replace Tomoyasu, but ALC members said upper-level employees have been interviewed. They sent health department secretary Anthony McCann a letter last month recommending two current administration chiefs, Claudia Gray and Colin Flynn, to replace the women.
In his proposed 2007 budget, Ehrlich proposed eliminating 33 contractual positions from the AIDS Administration’s budget and diverting rebates from pharmaceutical companies away from the Maryland AIDS Drug Assistance Program and into the state’s general fund. The ALC successfully campaigned against the moves.
Ann Ciekot, a lobbyist for the ALC, said data indicates infection rates are increasing across Maryland, particularly for black women.
“We are concerned,” Ciekot said. “We want to make sure what isn’t happening is a lack of priority for the AIDS Administration. We want to make sure the state understands the data we areseeing is bad.”
