TAMPA - Desiree Rivera filed a complaint on October 4 in Hillsborough County Circuit Court against the University Community Hospital, Inc d/b/a AdventHealth Tampa for violation of the Florida Civil Right Act discrimination based on race and national origin.
According to the complaint, Rivera was hired by AdventHealth in 2014. In February 2020, Ms. Charlette Nankovich (white female) was promoted to Operating Room manager. Rivera alleges that following Nankovich’s promotion, she began to target Rivera and other nurses who were women of color.
On May 5, 2020, Rivera alleges being wrote up because someone observed her going to lunch in the cafeteria before clocking out, but Rivera claims that she had brought her lunch that week so she could not have been in the cafeteria.
On May 7, 2020, Rivera was terminated and accused of insubordination relating to her decision to wave off the other nurse and remain in surgery the day prior when a nurse had come to relieve her for lunch, but she decided to stay since she had more experience in difficult surgeries.
Rivera seeks back and front pay, pre-judgement interest, compensatory damages, cost of suit and attorney's fees. Rivera is represented by Gary L. Printy.
Circuit Court of the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit in and for Hillsborough County, Florida filing number 135812408