St. Petersburg neurosurgeon, council candidate won't get city business during campaign
ST. PETERSBURG — At City Council meetings and on a website, blogger and tea party activist Dr. David McKalip often lambastes city officials about costly employee pensions, benefits and salaries.
But at his medical office, the neurosurgeon treats city employees injured on the job.
St. Petersburg has paid McKalip, who is running for the City Council, nearly $31,000 to treat four injured workers since 2009.
That practice will soon end.
With McKalip being a frequent critic of city workers, several council members wonder why administrators send workers to the doctor.
"It does seem like a conflict of interest," said council Chairman Karl Nurse.
"Based on his own statements, any benefits to city employees are a waste of taxpayers' money," Charlie Gerdes said. "It doesn't seem to be a prudent choice of doctors. I intend to have a talk with staffers about this."
City staffers have decided that McKalip will no longer treat city workers while he seeks office.
"That would be a conflict," said Cathryn Bernoskie, the city's risk manager. "We will not assign any new cases."
McKalip stressed that he does not mix medicine with politics. "If the city is deciding to not send me patients because I am running for office, that is their choice," he said. "I look forward to serving the citizens in political office and to serve patients as a doctor."
http://www.tampabay.com/news/localgovernment/st-petersburg-council-candidate-neurosurgeon-wont-treat-any-more-city/2108752