Outspoken supporter of former health district chief no longer with agency

The former executive assistant to Southern Nevada's chief health officer no longer works for the health district.

"We can't give out specific information, so I really can just confirm that she is no longer employed here," district spokeswoman Jennifer Sizemore said this week.

Shelli Clark was placed on administrative leave in June, five days after she publicly questioned the decision to appoint Dr. John Middaugh as interim chief.

Attempts to reach Clark for comment since then have been unsuccessful.

Clark spoke out after the health district board accepted the resignation of Dr. Lawrence Sands, who had overseen the district since March 2007, and appointed Middaugh.

"I do not support your choice today, and I'm sorry for that," she told the board.

She also defended Sands against previous allegations that he yelled at and bullied employees.

She said she worked alongside Sands for more than seven years and only heard him raise his voice once, to restore decorum at a meeting, and he later apologized.

After the June board meeting, Clark explained why she objected to Middaugh's appointment as interim chief.

"I just don't feel that he's given Dr. Sands 100 percent support, and I just don't feel that he's completely trustworthy at this point," she told the Review-Journal.

Clark said she understood her comments could get her into trouble but added, "I also said that I will continue to do my job 150 percent."

"My service is to the district and the board and the public," she said.

Middaugh previously worked as director of the health district's division of community health.

He was appointed interim chief through August 2013 or until a permanent chief is selected.

Contact reporter Carri Geer Thevenot at cgeer@reviewjournal.com or 702-384-8710.