Board to hold hearing on chief health officer

The Southern Nevada District Board of Health will hold a meeting Thursday to consider the character, alleged misconduct or professional competence of chief health officer Dr. Lawrence Sands.

However, neither the board's chair nor other board members will reveal what led to the hearing.

"The agenda sounds worse than it is,'' said Chris Giunchigliani, chairwoman of the health district board, though she wouldn't go into specifics about the meeting. "This is a public discussion about issues of management.''

A similar discussion is scheduled to take place regarding the health district's human resources administrator, Angus MacEachern, but in closed session.

According to the agenda, administrative action may be taken.

In a written statement, Sands, who has been the health district's chief health officer since March 2007, said he didn't know what the meeting was about.

"I am surprised by the special meeting agenda and its suddenness,'' he said in the statement. "Even though I am not aware of the specific concerns, I am confident I can respond to any issue that may be raised.''

Sands oversees more than 500 employees and is currently charged with investigating the hepatitis C public health crisis. He earns $225,000 per year.

In April, the board conducted Sands' annual review during a public meeting.

During the meeting, several health district employees who are represented by the Service Employees International Union, addressed concerns about Sands.

They said he didn't listen to employees and delegated matters to others. Employees also said they felt overall morale at the health district was low under Sands.