GALVESTON — An African American woman claims she faced race discrimination during her residency at the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB).
Dr. Rosandra Daywalker filed a complaint March 27 in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas Galveston Division against UTMB at Galveston and Dr. Ben Raimer, in his official capacity, alleging violation of Title VII, Americans with Disabilities Act and the Family Medical Leave Act.
Daywalker began her five-year residency in Otolaryngology at UTMB in June of 2015. Daywalker alleges that a new program director who was Caucasian, Dr. Wasyl Szeremeta, made several racial comments and showed bias toward black medical residents, patients and people as well as Hispanics including asking her why black people use the emergency room for their health care. She also claims that Szeremeta unfairly evaluated her performance and that UTMB used her request for FMLA as punishment.
Daywalker seeks monetary relief, trial by jury and all other just relief. She is represented by Victoria Plante-Northington of The Plante Law Firm PC in Houston.
U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas Galveston Division case number 3:20-CV-00099