A recent court filing alleges that a major healthcare network engaged in racial discrimination, harassment, and retaliation against an African American nurse. The complaint was filed by Ariel Sitter on June 5, 2024, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania against Allegheny Health Network (AHN).
The lawsuit outlines several serious allegations. According to the complaint, Sitter began her employment with AHN in December 2022 as a Travel Registered Nurse under a contract set to run until March 10, 2023. She claims she faced continuous racial discrimination from her direct supervisor, Margaret "Margot" Spiker. Sitter alleges that Spiker held her to higher scrutiny compared to her white colleagues and subjected her to derogatory comments about her competence as a nurse. For instance, Spiker allegedly called Sitter "dumb" and "incompetent," suggesting that African American nurses were unfit for their roles.
Sitter also details instances where she was forced to care for patients requiring more than one nurse while being mocked by Spiker and other white colleagues. Furthermore, when Sitter requested time off to visit her terminally ill grandmother or due to illness herself, she faced resistance and discriminatory remarks from Spiker. On one occasion, Spiker reportedly told Sitter she could not call off work again unless her grandmother died.
In addition to racial discrimination, the complaint accuses AHN of associational discrimination under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Sitter's grandmother was diagnosed with terminal ovarian cancer, and AHN was aware of this association. Despite this knowledge, AHN allegedly retaliated against Sitter for taking time off related to her grandmother's condition.
The situation escalated when Sitter reported these issues to her recruiter at Maxim Healthcare Services but received no substantial support or resolution. Following these reports, Sitter claims she faced further retaliation including being blacklisted from future employment opportunities within AHN facilities. This blacklist was purportedly confirmed through a Reddit post by Spiker detailing grievances against an unnamed employee matching Sitter’s description.
Sitter is seeking compensatory damages for lost wages and emotional distress along with punitive damages for what she describes as intentional and reckless actions by AHN. She also requests injunctive relief to prevent further discriminatory practices within the organization.
Representing Ariel Sitter is J.P Ward & Associates LLC with attorney Justin M. Bahorich leading the case. The case has been assigned Civil Action No.: 2:24-cv-815 and will be presided over by Judge Christy Criswell Wiegand.