Nurses allege toxic workplace under Michigan county medical director

The St. Clair County Health Department is facing a state labor complaint alleging the county’s medical director retaliated against a nurse
Internal complaints, a county HR investigation and union grievances dating to 2024 accuse the director of gender-based discrimination and fostering a toxic workplace
The medical director has drawn criticism from local health professionals for departing on public health consensus on vaccination and community fluoridation

A state labor board is reviewing a workplace complaint against the St. Clair County Health Department, marking the latest development in a series of allegations against the agency’s medical director.

According to union grievances and internal complaints reviewed by Bridge Michigan, Dr. Remington Nevin has faced allegations of gender-based discrimination and of creating an atmosphere of fear and anxiety in the workplace since he started in 2023.

The allegations come as local officials weigh a decision to consolidate power within the county health department. St. Clair County commissioners are considering merging two key leadership positions into a single medical health officer role, a move some believe will be offered to Nevin to allow him more control over the agency. The proposal is expected to be reviewed by the board next month.

Nevin did not respond to Bridge’s request to comment on this story.

Kristine Morris, a spokesperson for St. Clair County, acknowledged in an email to Bridge that “there have been complaints received regarding Dr. Nevin and an investigation was conducted.” Morris said the current unfair labor practice charge is “currently working through the legal process.”

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County officials confirmed a grievance hearing was held March 31, that included union representatives and county legal counsel, administrators and commissioners. They said the union withdrew the complaint the following day.

Labor complaint

Nevin has gained praise and condemnation for controversial recommendations to ease vaccine guidance and oppose community fluoridation, which often run counter to established public health norms.

On April 10, the Michigan Nurses Association lodged an unfair labor practice complaint against the St. Clair County Health Department. As first reported by the Times Herald newspaper, the union’s complaint with the Michigan Employment Relations Commission alleges Nevin’s retaliation against a staff nurse who had issued a grievance against the medical director earlier in the year.

“Nurses are frontline advocates for their patients and public health. They have a right to fair working conditions and fair treatment in the workplace,” said Aaron McCormick, president of the Michigan Nurses Association, in a statement. “We stand by our unfair labor practice complaint and look forward to the state making its determination.”

Other allegations

It’s the latest charge in a series of allegations and discrimination claims made against the medical director following his arrival at the county health department.

Nevin was the subject of multiple reports to the county’s anonymous employee hotline and human resources department in 2024. As detailed in incident reports reviewed by Bridge, employees allege he fomented a toxic and threatening work environment.

One of the complaints describes his communication toward women as condescending and belittling. Others allege a pattern of undermining public health standards in communications with patients and staff with remarks that support the anti-vaccine movement.

A human resources department investigation that November concluded his behavior was untenable long term, according to a report reviewed by Bridge Michigan.

A memo sent from the Hotline Review Committee to the St. Clair County Board of Commissioners in December 2024 summarizing those findings called on the board to conduct its own investigation, and indicated the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services was looking into the matter. The committee said it was unable to effectively address the concerns through direct communication with the parties involved.

In October 2025, the health department’s chapter of the Michigan Nurses Association filed a grievance with St. Clair County alleging Nevin targeted a group of exclusively female staff through intimidation tactics and a pattern of conduct that undermine the professional standing of nurses.

Several members of the public have taken the opportunity to share their thoughts about the expansion of Nevin’s role with the board of commissioners.

“In St. Clair County, we are conservative and hardworking and we expect strong leadership from the medical director,” said Deb Roberts, who identified herself as a retired registered nurse at a meeting last week. “I’m concerned about his communication and his ability to problem solve and collaborate.”

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