| Advisory Opinion Request by Vivian Haley Williams, on behalf of Dr. Courtney Phillips, Secretary, La. Department of Health, and Rodney Anthony, Statewide Program Manager, within the Office of the Secretary regarding Mr. Anthony's academic internship. |
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Rodney Anthony is currently employed as a Statewide Program Manager within the Office of the Secretary for LDH. Mr. Anthony's duties include developing relationships and coordinating efforts with external stakeholders to better align policies, programs, and practices among all who diagnose and treat cancer. He also serves as a liaison to the Taking Aim at Cancer in Louisiana initiative.
Mr. Anthony is currently enrolled in the Doctor of Health Science Program ("Program") at NOVA Southeastern University. As part of the Program, Mr. Anthony must complete an internship with a mentor who has advanced skills or knowledge of the academic topic to be studied. Mr. Anthony must spend at least eighty hours with his mentor at a facility or institution in activities involving the topics to be studied. The internship may occur at his place of employment, but Program rules state that the internship cannot be in the area in which he is already employed. Mr. Anthony has selected Dr. Phillips as his potential mentor. Mr. Anthony has stated that he understands that he will not be allowed to perform his regular work duties and will be required to take annual leave while being mentored by Dr. Phillips for the required hours.
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La. R.S. 42:1111A(1)(a) provides that no public employee shall receive anything of economic value, other than compensation and benefits from the governmental entity to which he is duly entitled, for the performance of the duties and responsibilities of his office or position.
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Adopt the proposed advisory opinion.
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| Assigned Attorney: |
David Bordelon |
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