Deputy Commissioner Gathercole’s Role in BHA Betrayal and Harm

As JFM begins this devastating drop, we want to clarify that these truths reflect Gathercole’s treatment of her Black supervisor, Dr. Medlock, and are not a statement about what may have been an effective run as Senior Facilitator of the Colorado Behavioral Health Task Force (BHTF).

When Dr. Medlock moved to the state of Colorado from Washington, DC, she was informed that Gathercole would be serving as Acting Deputy Commissioner for the BHA. Medlock was inspired to extend a permanent offer to Gathercole as Medlock was new to the state and Gathercole had established relationships with a circle of Colorado behavioral health insiders. What Dr. Medlock did not know is that Gathercole was a runner-up for the Commissioner role she had just accepted. The ensuing narrative is one of betrayal, harm, and blatant acts of disrespect.

Two months after the BHA’s hope-filled launch in July 2022, where Medlock announced Gathercole’s permanent role as Deputy Commissioner, Gathercole and Chief of Staff Rauch surprised Medlock with a meeting in which Gathercole wanted Medlock to give up control of the agency to her and Rauch. For context, this is the same meeting that Medlock laments in the email cited by Osher’s May 2023 piece on leadership tensions at the BHA.

In this meeting, Rauch stated he “was struggling to get a hold of things,” yet these two white-identifying leaders felt that agency matters were best left in their hands. Gathercole suggested that Medlock serve as the “public face” only, while she and Rauch ran the agency. Medlock was devastated by the blatant disrespect from individuals who should have been her most trusted advisors. 

Reflection point: Are you wondering if Medlock did something to cause Gathercole and Rauch to disrespect her in this way? Maybe you think Medlock did something to deserve this? If yes and/or yes, please revisit the tomb of researched information JFM has dropped about how internal bias, double standards, mistrust, othering, and racism create workplace challenges for Women of Color (WOC). These challenges are heightened when a Leader of Color is the boss, as is the case with Gathercole and Rauch reporting to Medlock. 

When Medlock stood her ground, as prompted by her November 2022 performance evaluation from Governor Polis, called out the harm done, and challenged the plot to usurp her, Gathercole resigned, stating “you deserve someone in this role that you can trust.” This was Gathercole’s first resignation of two during Medlock’s tenure. One of which she rescinded. The second culminated with her last day at the BHA on April 13th, 2023 until she was rehired by Michelle Barnes, BHA Interim Commissioner. Barnes and Gathercole led the BHTF together. 

Rauch, Medlock, and a consultant later convinced Gathercole to rescind that first resignation, but the intervention to retain her does not appear to have led to any contrition on Gathercole’s part. 

In subsequent months, Gathercole began to isolate Medlock from Rauch, CORA’ble emails prove as much. In the workplace, this behavior intensified to outright insubordination, as Rauch eventually refused to hand over a critical working document related to the BHASO planning that Medlock asked for. 

Reflection point: Please, pause and let the document withholding example sink in. Reflect on the overburdening of Medlock, the disrespect, and the retaliation for her not bending to inappropriate demands. This is trouble, not good trouble, just trouble.

It appears that Gathercole held such a grudge against Medlock that on the night of Gathercole’s second resignation, Medlock discovered the BHASO RFP had not been completed by Gathercole, leaving Medlock to rewrite the document herself. Previous media coverage cited an email in which Medlock documents Gathercole’s failure to produce work product related to the BHASOs. The BHASOs is one of the BHA’s most critical initiatives. With no time to process Gathercole’s undermining and ineffectiveness, Medlock galvanized BHA leaders and a consultant to write the BHASO RFP, which was under final review on the Friday prior to Medlock’s dismissal.

Reflection point: Gathercole’s first act after being rehired by Barnes was postponement of the BHASOs timeline, begging the question was the RFP not completed intentionally because Gathercole expected to return after Medlock’s dismissal and postpone the project? Did Gathercole know about Medlock’s pending removal? The timing is suspicious. If this was the case, not informing Medlock suggests a problematic integrity deficit. 

In November 2022, Rauch, at a leadership retreat with witnesses present, stated to Medlock: “I have failed you.” 

The harm only increased. Gathercole left for a two-week African safari in or around December 2022 and returned to confront Medlock with new rules for her availability. Gathercole was one of the only senior team members who took a vacation during 2022, given the arduous task of standing up the BHA. To break it down, Medlock covered Gathercole’s duties and responsibilities for two weeks in her absence, and upon Gathercole’s return she chose to antagonize Medlock rather than appreciate.

CDHS Human Resources leaders were surprised to learn of Gathercole’s treatment of Medlock - noting on a consultation call that “a deputy commissioner should be available when the Commissioner calls.” Not so, said Gathercole. JFM imagines constantly navigating the shifting expectations and power insecurities of her subordinates was emotionally draining, isolating, and traumatizing for Medlock. 

The same week, Medlock also discovered that Gathercole had not led the Statewide Programs team to adequately prepare for implementation of HB1256 - a bill that was championed by Mental Health Colorado and supported statewide care coordination. Medlock also created a new, cross-divisional “1256 team” to focus on bringing the vision of House Bill 1256 to life. 1256 was also delayed by Gathercole and Barnes after Medlock’s removal. However, Mental Health Colorado leaders disparaged Medlock in the media and as a part of the scarlet-writing campaign, but are apparently not willing to hold Medlock’s white counterpart, Gathercole, to the same standard. The Mental Health Colorado leaders were a part of Gathercole and Barnes’s BHTF insider circle.

Reflection point: Let’s pause for a moment and reflect on the scarlet letter-writing campaign supporting Medlock’s removal. Representative Michaelson-Jenet told State of Reform the removal of Medlock was necessary in order to iron out leadership tensions. Daniel Darting wrote a letter to Alec Garnett alleging the BHA had missed deliverables. Did these leaders ever consider that Medlock may not have been the source of these issues?

On April 17, the same day of Dr. Medlock’s dismissal, Gathercole was rehired by Barnes as Deputy Commissioner and widely praised by white staff and leaders as an expert who could pull the BHA back together. Yet, it was Medlock who had spent over a year covering for Gathercole’s inefficiencies, and significant staff turnover on teams led by Gathercole, and had endured public scrutiny for matters that were Gathercole’s responsibility. 

Reflection point: Reflect on the complicity of bystanders, especially those who praised Gathercole and advocated for her reinstatement despite the impact of her actions. What role does complicity play in perpetuating harmful behaviors and systems?

Throughout her tenure, Medlock demonstrated resilience, determination, and an unwavering commitment to her duties. Despite facing internal challenges and insubordination, Medlock held her ground, advocating for herself, her team, and the agency's mission. Medlock's dedication to her role as the only Black senior leader at the BHA and her efforts to bring about meaningful change are commendable and deserve celebration, not erasure. 

Reflection point: How might allies and advocates have supported Dr. Medlock in navigating these challenges? What actions could individuals, especially those in positions of influence, take to amplify the voices of leaders of color and create a more inclusive environment?

JFM network sources close to the Governor’s leadership team, have alleged that Gathercole has become more visible as the search for the next BHA Commissioner has ramped up. JFM is calling for accountability and transparency. Gathercole's reinstatement and the possibility of her being considered for the Commissioner role raise questions about the values and principles guiding leadership decisions. It is essential that organizations prioritize merit, ethics, and inclusivity when appointing leaders, and hold individuals accountable for their actions and impact on others.

The unfortunate saga of Dr. Medlock's tenure at the BHA, marred by the presence of Gathercole, serves as a stark reminder of the deep-rooted challenges faced by Women of Color (WOC) in leadership positions. Medlock's genuine intentions to build a strong agency, foster trust, and extend a hand of collaboration were met with betrayal, disrespect, and racial bias.

Let this be a moment of reckoning and an opportunity for growth and learning. Leadership should be a reflection of character, integrity, and competence, irrespective of identity. Only then can we build organizations that promote collaboration, empower diverse voices, and create a brighter, more just future for all. It is time to bridge the gaps, listen to unheard voices, and embrace a new era of leadership that stands firm against bias, discrimination, and injustice.

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Sign the Petition to Reinstate Dr. Medlock: Demand justice for Dr. Medlock signed the petition for Governor Polis to bring her back as the Commissioner of the Colorado Behavioral Health Administration (BHA).

Tell a story: If you have benefited from Dr. Medlock and her leadership, show up and uplift a true people-first leader dedicated to community and transformational reform.

Sign the Petition to Reinstate Dr. Medlock

On Monday, April 17, 2023, Colorado Behavioral Health Administration (BHA) Commissioner, Morgan Medlock, MD, MDiv, MPH, a Black community leader, was unjustly removed from her Colorado cabinet position without cause. Her removal risks the lives of millions of people in Colorado who deserve accessible, trauma-informed, and culturally-responsive behavioral health care. It also perpetuates the message that strong, qualified Women of Color are vulnerable to the whims of political systems and cabinet leadership.

Demand justice for Dr. Medlock by signing the petition for Governor Polis to bring her back as the Commissioner of the Colorado Behavioral Health Administration (BHA).