Former employee sues Charleston doctor for improper gender-based actions

CHARLESTON -- A former employee is suing a Charleston physician after she claims his improper gender-based actions became so intolerable she was forced to resign from her employment.

Melisa Greene-Zent began her employment with Dr. Daniel J. Wood in 2000 and transitioned into a full-time employee in 2001, where she eventually became Wood's first assistant surgical nurse, according to a complaint filed Feb. 18 in Kanawha Circuit Court.

Green-Zent claims her constructive discharge was predicted upon her gender as well as in retaliation for untrue allegations of an affair between her and Wood after she had tried unsuccessfully to discuss the allegations and Wood's treatment of her.

In May 2009, when the allegations had come to light, until July 14, 2010, Green-Zent was "denigrated, intimidated, had responsibilities and income taken from her, and otherwise forced to remain in a hostile work environment," according to the suit.

Green-Zent claims she was mistreated and subjected to adverse treatment in retaliation for untrue rumors and allegations of an affair between her and Wood.

Greene-Zent is seeking compensatory and punitive damages. She is being represented by Scott Kaminski.

The case has been assigned to Circuit Judge Charles King.

Kanawha Circuit Court case number: 11-C-277