TAMPA – A Florida nurse filed a lawsuit against a Sarasota-area hospital, alleging she was discriminated and later retaliated against by her former employer.
Plaintiff Ashley Carter worked as a cardiovascular operating room nurse at defendant Sarasota Memorial Hospital from July 8, 2024 to July 29, 2025.
She filed her lawsuit against the hospital in U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida, Tampa Division.
In her 28-page complaint, Carter alleges she was unlawfully discriminated against because of her race and gender. She is 33 and Black.
She contends from the outset of her employment at Sarasota Memorial, she was subjected to discriminatory treatment by her preceptor, Caroline Piekos.
“Caroline Piekos routinely and systematically questioned Plaintiff's professional decisions and actions in front of surgeons and other staff members in a manner that was racially motivated and designed to undermine Plaintiff's credibility and competence,” her complaint states, noting her “extensive prior nursing experience.”
“Caroline Piekos made racially charged comments about Plaintiff's physical appearance, particularly targeting Plaintiff's hair with invasive and inappropriate questions about how she styled her curly hair, including confronting Plaintiff about her hair in the locker room.”
In addition, Carter alleges Piekos made “invasive and demeaning” remarks about her status as a single mother.
In May 2025, Carter filed a formal complaint with Operating Room Manager Jennifer Prinkey about Piekos' conduct.
“Jennifer Prinkey's response to Plaintiff's complaint was wholly inadequate, as she merely wrote statements on a small notepad rather than filing a formal complaint in the computer system,” the filing notes, adding that no investigation was conducted into Carter’s allegations.
Carter also put in requests to transfer out of the CVOR department; however, both requests were denied by Manager Rebecca Feeley, despite Carter being qualified for the positions.
In July 2025, Carter received a positive annual performance review from Assistant Operating Room Manager Abigail Stevenson, noting her work performance was satisfactory and that she had no prior disciplinary actions.
Weeks later, she was terminated by Feeley and Prinkey under false pretenses, as the hospital alleged she had been “sleeping on the job” for 4-5 hours in an empty operating room when no surgeries were scheduled.
“Plaintiff vehemently denied these allegations and requested proof or evidence to support Defendant's claims, but Defendant refused to provide any evidence and characterized the alleged conduct as ‘egregious,’” the filing states.
Carter refused to sign the termination documents, according to the complaint.
“Plaintiff's termination was retaliatory and in direct response to her complaint about Caroline Piekos’ discriminatory conduct,” it states.
Carter claims a week after her termination, on Aug. 6, 2025, she obtained photographic evidence of Piekos sleeping on the job – during an active open heart surgery while patient alarms were sounding.
“Plaintiff reported this photographic evidence to Caroline Piekos herself, Rebecca Feeley, and the HR general email, providing clear documentation of the same conduct for which Plaintiff had allegedly been terminated,” the filing states.
“The only response Plaintiff received from HR regarding this report was a brief statement indicating they were ‘forwarding for assistance.’”
The complaint continues, “Despite this clear evidence of Caroline Piekos engaging in the same conduct for which Plaintiff was terminated, Caroline Piekos remains employed with Defendant and has not been disciplined in any manner.”
Carter contends other non-Black employees “frequently” sleep on the job without facing any disciplinary action, “demonstrating a clear pattern of disparate treatment based on race.”
She claims as a result of the discrimination and wrongful termination, she has suffered from “significant emotional distress,” including being diagnosed with Bipolar disorder type 1 and severe anxiety.
She also alleges she developed uncontrolled blood pressure as a result of the stress and emotional trauma caused by the hospital's discrimination.
Following her termination, Carter claims she secured employment at Lakewood Ranch Medical Center as a general surgery nurse starting Aug. 12, 2025, but at a reduced hourly wage of $45 per hour – “representing a significant pay cut from her previous position,” she notes.
Carter seeks front pay in lieu of reinstatement, full back pay with interest, compensatory damages, pre- and post-judgment interest, and attorney’s fees.
Imler Law, located in Lutz, Florida, is representing Carter in the lawsuit.
