Venus Lee, CEO of GraceMed resigned last week under scrutiny of her lack of academic credentials. Her Linkedin profile, social media, and other professional documentation previously stated she earned an MBA from WSU, and a Doctorate in Theology from Emory University. She did not complete these degrees.
Nonetheless, GraceMed should reinstate Venus Lee as their CEO and here’s why.
Venus Lee’s lack of academic credentials was an unfortunate mistake she made. She has apologized and takes full and complete accountability and responsibility for her actions. While she did not earn these degrees, Venus has earned several other professional certificates and has taken advantage of many continuing education opportunities.
Academic acumen is important, but so are many other skills. She has demonstrated the ability to make sound business decisions, strategic moves, and has a sharp intellect which has allowed her to be tremendously successful as the CEO of GraceMed.
The Whistleblower, Attorney Marty Keenan, was an employee of GraceMed for less than a year and appears to have resigned, disgruntled and unhappy. People should question if there’s more to this story before they roll the credits on Venus Lee; let’s roll back the tape and see what prompted his resignation.
While I can appreciate the situation was difficult and a sensitive matter to deal with, I would have preferred to see the board act quickly to support her and deal with her lack of academic credentias internally. The Board surely has disciplinary actions they could have implemented to address the problem such as administrative leave without pay, freeze pay-raise for one year, etc. A disciplinary action is better than accepting a resignation which could leave GraceMed vulnerable.
Venus Lee has worked tirelessly to provide services to the Black and Brown community and other people of color. GraceMed has been a leading provider in the State of Kansas addressing the needs of the underserved, unemployed, poor and disenfranchised individuals and families.
Under her leadership the Covid-19 Pandemic provided Covid-19 vaccines and other health services in the neighborhoods of 67214 and 67204 working with the Wichita Black Nurses Association and other partnerships, businesses, and organizations and offering wrap-around health services to vulnerable populations.
Financially, she has excelled in her business acumen while managing all16 locations, and the 17th one is in progress.
GraceMed has an obligation to all of its supporters and the NAACP, Ministerial League, Urban League of Wichita, the WBNA and others who yet believe in Venus Lee’s ability to successfully continue as the CEO of GraceMed.
Attorney Marty Keenan’s revelation does not diminish Venus Lee’s outstanding job performance. Let her record speak for itself. Reinstate Venus Lee and let’s all get back to work!
Venus Lee’s lack of education is hugely important. Someone who does not have the education or understanding of how to properly manage people has no business as CEO. Not to mention the fact that Venus Lee promoted staff into positions they were not qualified to hold. She did not “show and share the love of Jesus Christ” to staff, only those she wanted to follow her.
She only admitted her ‘mistakes/lies’ after a long time period of presenting an attitude saying she had the education degrees but it’s nobody’s business and she was offended being asked to show them. Also tried to say they were under her previous legal names that she wouldn’t provide. She admitted lying only when she was forced to. She dug her own hole and dishonest people make charity organizations look bad and they start losing donations.
When I worked there, she demanded people to call her Dr. Lee. Its pathetic. She belittled those on the frontline making little money, trying to get their degrees and raise a family, meanwhile she didn’t have the degrees she pretended to have! She didn’t have the knowledge people thought she had. She cut and pasted off other websites and went to those of knowledge for her information! I went to her and HR when the CEO was harassing me and she laughed and said he was just being a father figure! I saw what really went on behind closed doors at GraceMed! It’s sad calling themselves a Christian organization!
There is more to that story and I am a part of the story that many doesn’t want to discuss. Mistakes has been made on both Dr. Venus Lee and Marty Keenan, Attorney and Grace Med Staff. Many has washed each other hands and much more.