PLACERVILLE, Calif. — Laurie Eldridge, the long-time chief financial officer of Marshall Medical Center, is pursuing a legal battle in El Dorado County Superior Court alleging age discrimination and wrongful termination by the local hospital where she worked for decades.
Eldridge’s case — filed on March 19, 2025 — is now active in Department 9 of the Superior Court of California, County of El Dorado, as indicated by recent court tentative rulings. The filings show the case is catalogued as 25CV0713: Eldridge v. Marshall Medical Center, with ongoing disputes over discovery responses between the parties. El Dorado Superior Court
Eldridge built her career at Marshall Medical Center, beginning in 1990 and serving as CFO since 2003. Throughout her tenure she was widely recognized in the region for her financial stewardship, including a Sacramento Business Journal “CFO of the Year” honor in 2017. marshallmedical.org
In her complaint, Eldridge claims she was wrongfully pushed out of her leadership role due to age discrimination and then faced retaliation when she spoke up about her concerns. Local reporting, citing the Sacramento Business Journal, first brought the story to public attention in mid-December 2025. Hoodline
Representatives for Marshall Medical Center have not issued a public statement regarding the lawsuit on the hospital’s official newsroom or media channels, according to local coverage. Hoodline
A spokesperson or representative for Eldridge did not immediately respond to requests for comment, but legal analysts note that age discrimination claims typically invoke both California’s Fair Employment and Housing Act and federal protections such as the Age Discrimination in Employment Act. If Eldridge’s allegations are upheld, remedies could include reinstatement, back pay or damages — though legal experts stress that most employment disputes are resolved through negotiations before trial.
One employment attorney not involved in the case said, “When a long-serving executive alleges discrimination and retaliation, the depth of documentation and discovery becomes critical. Courts will scrutinize whether the employer’s stated reasons for termination hold up under close examination.”
Marshall Medical Center, an independent, nonprofit hospital system and one of the largest employers in El Dorado County, did not respond to a request for comment through its media relations contact as of press time. marshallmedical.org
The next scheduled status hearing is expected in early 2026, where the court will consider motions related to the exchange of evidence in the case. Meanwhile, Eldridge’s suit highlights broader conversations about workplace practices and protections for veteran professionals in leadership roles.
