Fenway Health CEO quits over sex-claims handling
Fenway Community Health Center’s chief executive has stepped down two days after he admitted he was slow to respond to allegations of sexual harassment by a prominent doctor, according to a statement by the organization’s board of directors.
“Dr. Stephen L. Boswell and the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors have agreed that Dr. Boswell’s employment as Chief Executive Officer at Fenway Health has ended, and he is no longer employed by the organization,” the statement released yesterday reads. “A formal search for Dr. Boswell’s successor will commence as soon as practicable.”
The Boston Globe on Friday reported at least three male employees of Fenway Health said they were sexually harassed and bullied by Dr. Harvey J. Makadon.
Although the allegations against Makadon spanned several years and dated back to 2013, he remained a Fenway Health employee until April of this year. The board of directors said they first learned of the allegations early this year and Boswell admitted in a statement released Friday that he should have reacted more quickly.
“With the benefit of hindsight, it is clear to me that more timely and direct action on this situation was warranted,” Boswell said.
“If my actions in this matter sent an inadvertent message to the Fenway Health community that this behavior will be tolerated, I am sorry.”
The board’s statement yesterday said, “Fenway exists to enhance the well being of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community, and all people in our neighborhoods and beyond. We are grateful for the support of Fenway’s leadership, staff and patients. Fenway Health is bigger than any single person.”
Boswell had served as CEO for 20 years. The board appointed Fenway’s director of behavioral health, M. Jane Powers, as interim CEO.
The board had expressed support for Boswell on Friday, while noting “considered concerns about the manner in which this matter had been handled by management” and the failure to alert the board in a more timely fashion. The board also triggered a review of Fenway’s management structure, due to be completed in January.