Montana Nurse Settles Wrongful Discharge Lawsuit

A Bozeman, Mont., nurse who was fired after serving as a surrogate mother for a patient has settled her wrongful discharge lawsuit with Billings Clinic.

Anicee Acosta-Yearick worked for Bozeman OB/GYN, which is owned by Billings Clinic, for 16 years before she was fired in January 2010. Court records say she was fired because she used her knowledge of private health information to “solicit a Billings Clinic patient to enter into a surrogacy contract resulting in personal gain.” Clinic officials argued that violates the nursing and clinic codes of conduct.

Acosta-Yearick contended she was friendly with the couple and didn’t ask for any money other than expenses.

The Bozeman Daily Chronicle reports the Gallatin County judge’s order closing the wrongful discharge lawsuit didn’t include a settlement amount.