Does a conflict of interest exist within Volusia County Risk Management? Is the part time employment of Dr. B. Schlapper a violation of the county charter / merit rules and Florida State Law?
Updated February 28, 2011
"I will prescribe regimens for the good of my patients according to my ability and my judgment and never do harm to anyone."- Hippocrates
It has recently come to the attention of VolusiaExposed.Com that the Volusia County Risk Management Department employs Deland physician Brent Schlapper as their Medical Review Officer.
VolusiaExposed.Com questions whether it is ethical or legal for Dr. Schlapper to be a part-time employee with Volusia County Government and have a contractual relationship with the county since the county is self insured in its health care plan?
We invite our readers to review what the Volusia County Charter / County Merit Rules and Florida State Law appears to dictate regarding a government employees engaging in a contractual relationship with their governmental employers.
Would Dr. Schlapper's dual relationship (both as employee and as a contracted providing physician on the county health insurance plan) pose a violation of the County Charter / County Merit Rules and Florida Statutes 112?
Dr. Schlapper is paid very well for what appears to be a part time sixteen hour a week position. (Monday-Thursday 8AM-12PM). According to his original 2001 Personnel Action Form, his starting pay was $2884.61 bi-weekly or $75,000 yearly.
What does Volusia County Merit Rules state about a county employee engaging in a extra-employment relationship with Volusia County Government? Click the below link to find out.
What does the Volusia County Employee Handbook say about this type of employee conflict of interest? Apparently, such actions can be violations of Florida Statute Chapter 112. Is this one? Read on to find out the why's or why nots.
The employee handbook invites any Volusia County Employee that has "any doubts as to the application of this policy" to discuss their concerns with the Volusia County Personnel Director. Tom Motes, is the current Volusia County Personnel Director and we have made his email address available at the below link
Since the County Employee Handbook references Florida Statute 112 - What does Florida Statute 112 say about these possible Conflicts of Interest / Ethic Violations?
So, is there a conflict of interest / ethics violation here? And if not, should Volusia County avoid even the mere perception of a violation?
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This whole situation reminds us of a somewhat recent media article that questioned whether the County's employment of a County Councilwoman's two family members was a possible conflict of interest.
What would happen if one of Dr. Schlapper's county employee patients reported a possible disabling illness to him during a private annual physical? Would Dr. Schlapper be obligated to maintain the privacy of his private patient's medical history or would his obligations be as the Medical Review Officer in the Volusia County Risk Management Department? Does this scenario present a conflict of interest? What about HIPAA concerns?
We invite our readers to provide us with their comments on this perceived problematic situation. Please tell us why this is (or is not), in your opinion, a situation needing correction.