Mr. Shaw, who had served as acting CEO since Feb. 14, 2024, resigned Jan. 9, a spokesperson for the Maryland Department of Health confirmed to Becker’s. The department operates Clifton through its healthcare system.
Aliya Jones, MD, will join the team Feb. 18, the spokesperson confirmed. Dr. Jones, who previously served as a deputy secretary in the state health department, will become permanent CEO, The Washington Post reported Jan. 10.
Dr. Jones serves as executive medical director at Annapolis, Md.-based Luminis Health in a dyad leadership role with the vice president of behavioral health, according to her LinkedIn profile.
Mr. Shaw’s resignation occurred the same week Disability Rights Maryland filed a lawsuit against the health department for failing to transfer ill patients from jail to one of the state’s psychiatric hospitals, including Clifton, the Post reported.
“The state of Maryland is committed to the safety of all individuals under our care,” according to a health department statement about the lawsuit shared with the Post. “Allegations of neglect are taken seriously and investigated to the fullest extent possible, including the involvement of independent oversight, as needed.”
Former CEO Scott Moran, MD, had been on leave amid allegations of bullying and threatening staff before agreeing in court to a restraining order on Feb. 28, 2024, which prohibited him from visiting Clifton or state administrative officers for the health department. The allegations were made by Mr. Shaw and another health department employee, Nisha Madhaven.
