County Medical Director Leaves Job, Faces Charges

Dr. Earl Lynch, medical director for the Santa Barbara County Public Health Department, left his position on 7/13, according to an email from department director Dr. Elliot Schulman. Lynch is a defendant in a lawsuit filed by Dr. Uzma Chaudhry, who alleges Lynch harassed and discriminated against her based on her gender and religion. Other women working in county health clinics have filed complaints with the county’s Equal Employment Opportunity Office regarding Lynch’s behavior. It isn’t clear whether Lynch was fired or resigned.