Family Health Services seeking new executive

SANDUSKY — Family Health Services, a local community clinic, will launch a national search in the next week or two to replace former CEO David Tatro, who retired recently. In the meantime, the clinic's medical director, Mary Peters, has been named the interim CEO, according to Jack Runner, chairman of the Family Health Services board. Tatro, 68, announced his retirement in a letter sent to the board, Runner said. His decision was unexpected, Runner said. "We were talking about a contract renewal with him," Runner said. Tatro retired weeks after a December federal lawsuit claiming he sexually harassed a former employee. Lawyers in the case said a settlement may be reached to end the lawsuit. Finding an executive with experience Tatro took over as the CEO in 2019. Since then, Family Health Services has expanded from its base at the south campus of Firelands Regional Medical Center, adding clinics in downtown Sandusky and in Norwalk and adding dental services, among other changes. "He was incredibly successful with us. He grew our organization," Runner said. Runner said the board will run a national search to replace Tatro. Family Health Services is a federally qualified health center, part of a chain of community clinics that receive heavy federal funding and which provide medical treatment regardless of ability to pay. Many clients are either on Medicaid or don't have health insurance. Sandusky's other federally qualified health center is the Erie County Community Health Center, which is located at the Sandusky-based Erie County Health Department campus and which has a new CEO, Troy Chaffin. Federally qualified health centers have a "unique business model," and it makes sense to find an executive who has experience with such clinics, Runner said. Tatro did not return a phone call requesting comment. In his letter of resignation, Tatro mentioned that he has wanted to start a business for a while, Runner said. Legal matters Tatro's retirement came about three months after a federal lawsuit was filed on Dec. 23 against him and Family Health Services in federal court in Toledo. The lawsuit, filed by former Family Health Services employee Cora Higgins, alleges that Tatro sexually harassed her, including "unwelcome physical contact," keeping Higgins in his office for hours and making inappropriate remarks. The lawsuit asserts that Higgins is disabled, a condition made worse by Tatro's behavior. Family Health Services lawyers have filed a reply denying the allegations and asking for the lawsuit to be dismissed. The case is before U.S. District Judge Jack Zouhary. A March 20 status report says the two parties in the case are discussing a settlement and will give Zouhary an update in 30 days. Attorneys for Higgins and for Family Health Services did not respond to requests for comment. Higgins formerly served as the Supreme Witch and CEO of Sandusky Witches Walk, a federally recognized nonprofit she helped found that hosts an annual event in Sandusky in October. She is no longer with the organization, said Mimi Chicotel, the current CEO of the Sandusky Witches Walk. Runner said lawyers for the clinic have suggested he avoid discussing the lawsuit in public and with the press, and he's following that advice. "We'll let the court figure that one out," he said. "I really can't comment on the lawsuit. That wouldn't be fair for everybody." The interim CEO In the meantime, it's been business as usual at Family Health Services, Runner said. Mary Peters, the interim CEO, had been serving as the medical director for Family Health Services. She has been with the clinic for about five years, working before that for employers such as Fisher-Titus, the Bellevue Hospital, Firelands Regional Medical Center and a hospital in Fairfield. Peters has dual expertise in both primary care and mental health care, working as both a family nurse practitioner and a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner. She earned many degrees and professional certifications, including a registered nurse diploma, a bachelor's degree in nursing and master's and doctorate degrees in nursing practice, the latter two from the University of Toledo.