The Houston Health Department requests that Council approves a motion to extend the unpaid leave of absence for Audrey Douglas, Nurse Practitioner, beginning June 1, 2016 and continuing until such time as Ms. Douglas returns back to work or is medically separated, whichever occurs earlier.
Ms. Douglas has a medical condition which has prevented her return to duty since December 4, 2016. On April 8, 2016, the Department recommended that Ms. Douglas be medically separated. The medical separation hearing before the Civil Service Commission is scheduled for September 2016.
Ms. Douglas was approved by the Municipal Civil Service Commission for unpaid leave of absence through May 31, 2016. In accordance with Section 14-172 of the Houston Code of Ordinances, any further unpaid leaves must be approved by the City Council. Therefore, the department requests that City Council approve an extended unpaid leave of absence for Ms. Douglas to ensure that the medical separation process can be completed.