Mayo Clinic Surgery Center Director Charged With Felonies, Removed From Position for Alleged Drug Theft

Valerie Whitehead, director of the surgery center on the Luther campus of the Mayo Clinic Health System Eau Claire (Wis.), has been charged with three felonies and three misdemeanors for allegedly stealing drugs from the hospital, according to a WXOW News report.

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Ms. Whitehead was hired in May and was the director of the surgery center. She was immediately removed from patient care when Mayo learned of the allegations. A Mayo spokeswoman said after thorough review, the system believes no patients were harmed.

Ms. Whitehead admitted to taking and using the narcotics starting last month and also allegedly confessed to stealing several hundred vials of Benadryl.

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