Des Moines Register
02-01-07
2 more dismissed at Hygienic Lab
Researcher, deputy chief were associates of fired director
By TONY LEYS
REGISTER STAFF WRITER
A shake-up at the University of Iowa Hygienic Laboratory continues, with the
dismissal of the deputy director and a physician who studies avian flu and similar
diseases.
Both men were close associates of Mary Gilchrist, who was fired as director in
early October after publicly criticizing cuts to a planned lab facility.
Dr. Jim Gill this week said that he first realized his research job was in peril
during the Oct. 25 groundbreaking for the $37 million lab in Coralville. Gill said he
expected to participate in the event, but no one handed him a shovel. Later that
day, he said, interim Director Christopher Atchison told him his job was being
eliminated because of budget constraints. "I was brought in and told, 'Thank you
very much, goodbye,' " he said. His last day was Wednesday.
Gilchrist hired Gill three years ago to research "zoonotic" diseases, which spread
from animals to people. Those include avian flu, West Nile, SARS and Lyme
disease.
Atchison said that Gill did good work, but he said the lab is preparing for federal
budget cuts. "We just needed to be sure the Hygienic Lab was on firm financial
footing when the new director starts," he said.
Atchison said the lab still has expertise in avian flu and other zoonotic diseases.
He declined to comment on the departure of Deputy Director Jack Cameron, who
was placed on leave the day Gilchrist was fired. A university spokesman said
Cameron's last paid day was earlier in January. Cameron did not respond to
requests for comment, but Gill said he was pushed out by university leaders.
Gilchrist, who is suing to get her job back, has voiced support for Cameron. This
week, she said Gill should have been retained. "I really think his efforts were
valuable, and not having him do that sort of thing is a loss," she said.
Dr. Russell Currier, the state's retired public-health veterinarian, said Gill did
important work. Currier also specializes in zoonotic diseases, and he now is an
administrator for the American College of Veterinary Preventive Medicine. He
said Gill's firing appears rooted in university politics. "As you look at this between
the lines, there was antipathy toward Dr. Gilchrist, and he was closely tied with
her," Currier said.
The 200-employee lab agency is designed to help uncover and track diseases
and biological or chemical terrorism. Gilchrist has proposed that it be overseen
by a separate, state-appointed board, instead of by the University of Iowa.
Currier said he supports the idea. "I think that ought to be pursued, and maybe
we wouldn't have the kind of episode we're seeing here," he said.
Dr. Wayne Rowley, a retired Iowa State University entomology professor,
agreed with Currier. Rowley worked with Gill and Gilchrist regularly, and he said
they were fired by people in academia "who don't know a thing about public
health." Iowans "are losing two of the best people in the entire country," he said
of Gill and Gilchrist.
Gill's annual salary was $101,000, Cameron's was $98,000 and Gilchrist's was
$186,000.
Reporter Tony Leys can be reached at (515) 284-8449 or tleys@dmreg.com