TGMC seeks probe of scuffle

The Terrebonne General Medical Center Board of Directors accepted the resignation of its chairwoman in a special meeting Monday night.

The resignation came two weeks after local attorney Jerri Smitko, who had been on the board for over 12 years and chairwoman since July 2008, allegedly threatened a nursing assistant and struck a police officer twice at the hospital, which led to misdemeanor charges.

“We’re saddened by the unfortunate circumstances. Ms. Smitko did a lot for this organization over a long period of time,” said TGMC President and Chief Executive Officer Phyllis Peoples. “In light of the hospital, she was able to resign so we could be able to do the good work we do.”

After a 2 ?-hour executive session, the board unanimously elected Mike Voisin as chairman and Bobby Picou as vice chairman.

Voisin is a 12-year member of the medical center’s board. He previously served as vice chairman under Smitko. Picou served on the board from 1999-2007, and as chairman from 2000-02. He returned to the board last July.

The board also decided to have New Orleans-based attorneys, The Kullman Firm, investigate the actions of Terrebonne General’s chief of security, Percy Mosely.

Mosely allegedly attempted to have the nursing assistant drop the charges against Smitko and interfered in her arrest. No charges are pending against Mosely.

“The sheriff (Vernon Bourgeois) wanted to know if we were going to do our own investigation or if he needed to do one,” Voisin said. “(Mosely) is a commissioned officer of the sheriff’s office. I don’t know what information he had that indicted a cause for concern, hence we hired a third party to investigate and report back to us.”

There is no time frame for the probe, but Peoples said she would “rather have it sooner than later.”

After The Kullman Firm submits its findings, Peoples said she would determine what action, if any, should be taken.

The incident that led to Smitko’s resignation occurred on Jan. 18. She reportedly attempted to enter the hospital’s main entrance after permitted hours. After 8 p.m. visitors must enter the hospital through the emergency room entrance.

Smitko allegedly demanded that a nursing assistant, who was inside with a patient, let her in. The employee refused. When hospital security arrived and Smitko still declined to go through the emergency room entrance, Houma Police were called.

The nursing assistant reportedly agreed to press charges, and Smitko was handcuffed and placed in a police unit. Mosely arrived and removed Smitko from the police car, according to sources.

Upon exiting Smitko allegedly kicked a Houma Police officer in the chest and near his utility belt.

Smitko was reportedly issued a summons following the incident.

She tended her letter of resignation to Voisin prior to Monday’s special meeting. They met at her office where she appeared somber and regretful, according to Voisin.

“It wasn’t her brightest moment. She wants to do what’s best for the organization,” he said. “I don’t think she wants to be the focus of something that takes away from our focus, which is the quality of patient care.”