PITTSBURGH — A health unit coordinator is suing Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC, UPMC Presbyterian Shadyside, and UPMC, former employers, citing alleged racial discrimination, retaliation and wrongful termination.
Pamela M. Lewis filed a complaint on Oct. 5 in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania against the defendants, alleging they violated Title VII of the Civil Rights Act.
According to the complaint, the plaintiff alleges that on Nov. 2, 2012, she was wrongfully terminated from her employment, She has suffered lost back pay and benefits and lost front pay and benefits, substantial emotional and physical distress, embarrassment and humiliation, and pain and suffering, the suit says.
The plaintiff holds Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC, UPMC Presbyterian Shadyside, and UPMC responsible because the defendants allegedly intentionally retaliated against her by refusing to hire her for one of at least 17 positions for which she applied and for engaging in the protected acts of opposing racial discrimination and retaliation.
The plaintiff requests a trial by jury and seeks damages in excess of $75,000 and such further relief as deemed to be just and proper. She is represented by Brian Benestad of HKM Employment Attorneys LLP in Pittsburgh.
The U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania Case No. is 2:18-cv-01327-NBF.