PCC nursing head leaving, dogged by painkiller solicitation allegations

The head of Pima Community College's nursing program is leaving the school, effective immediately, and another staffer has been placed on administrative leave. Marty Mayhew, a PCC dean since 2010, has been under investigation after an employee union alleged she asked subordinates for their leftover prescription drugs.

The college and the State Nursing Board began investigating Mayhew, a registered nurse, after Local 449 of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees filed a complaint against her last year.

PCC Chancellor Lee Lambert announced Wednesday afternoon that Mayhew "has decided to leave her position." Another school employee, Nancy Peasley, was placed on administrative leave from her position as a laboratory specialist, Lambert said in an email to employees.

Mayhew, a Pima employee since 1995, was paid $107,000 to head up the school's training program for nurses. Peasley is paid $18.53 hourly in her position.

Lambert and a college spokesman declined to elaborate on Pima's investigation into the allegations.

"As you might know, serious allegations were made involving personnel in the nursing program," Lambert wrote. "The College completed its own comprehensive investigation and an Arizona State Nursing Board review is taking place. Because the Nursing Board process continues, it would not be appropriate for me to go into specifics."

"After six months on the job (for Lambert), that is the way problems are being dealt with," said spokesman C.J. Karamargin. "There's no kicking the can down the road at Pima anymore."

Mayhew told the Arizona Daily Star last year that there was "absolutely no truth" to the claims she asked subordinates for prescription painkillers.

Mayhew's resignation is effective immediately, Karamargin said. Peasley will be on administrative leave "while the process plays out," he said, declining to detail basis for the suspension.

Brian Stewart, an academic dean from PCC's Desert Vista Campus, is taking over temporary responsibility for the nursing program.