Fayetteville VAMC

Fayetteville VA ‘Impaired’ Pathologist Put Veterans At Risk For 2 Years

A pathologist at Fayetteville VA was fired last Monday due to being found “impaired” while working. The doctor’s misdiagnosis of patients directly resulted in at least one death and stirred up quite the scandal in the town’s local news.

The pathologist apparently was found to be “impaired” going as far back as March of 2016. By October of that year, a so-called “monitoring program” cleared him for continued medical practice. A year later, he was suspended and monitored AGAIN.

The hospital said that up to 20,000 patients could have been at risk, and that over 5,000 deaths are undergoing an additional level of review, to ensure that this individual’s incompetence was not a directly contributing factor. Only one death has reportedly been linked directly to the impaired doctor.

But isn’t that one death, one death too many given the nature of this issue? Why would they let the doctor continue to work on veterans for two years despite the known problem?

At least seven misdiagnoses of patients have occurred. One man showed up to the press conference with a rather sizable bandage surrounding his nose; it was cancer, but this pathologist didn’t catch it before it required reconstructive surgery.

Fayetteville VA Informs Victims

The hospital claims it sent letters to all its affected patients individually, with notifications and instructions on how to seek help.

The interim director of the Fayetteville VA says he was notified of each incident during which a colleague knew the pathologist was practicing medicine while impaired.

The various articles locally addressing the impaired doctor seem to imply chemical dependency of some kind. If not chemical, what other kinds of impairment over a long period of time might result in the penalties this doctor received?

It’s true that chemical dependency can affect people in all walks of life. It’s a disorder of the brain, a health problem to be treated rather than a source of shame. If it is an impairment of that nature, perhaps the good people of Fayetteville would do well to come clean with it.

But regardless of that, whatever the nature of this man’s “impairment” was, it begs the question: can’t the hospital treat their own guy? And if they had already seen evidence that they couldn’t, why hadn’t they let him go before now?

Medicine is a high-stakes field with virtually no margin of error. You can’t have a doctor battling an active drug addiction on your VA’s pathology ward. People have already gotten hurt, even died.

How do we remedy such a terrible misfortune for those vets? And what can we do so that professionals who are struggling with these issues feel able to seek help?

RELATED: Veteran Dies From Delayed Heart Surgery

Lawmakers Respond To Fayetteville VA Problems

U.S. Senators John Boozman and Tom Cotton released a statement with U.S. Representatives Rick Crawford, French Hill, Steve Womack and Bruce Westerman regarding the misconduct:

This alleged gross negligence by a physician charged with caring for our veterans is a disturbing revelation and a clear failure to uphold the Department of Veterans Affairs mission to the men and women who served our nation in uniform. The errors and reckless actions of this former VA pathologist put the health of our veterans at risk and will not be tolerated.

Unfortunately, at this time, we don’t know the extent of this doctor’s misconduct. We call on the VA to notify patients whose cases were evaluated by this pathologist to thoroughly and expeditiously review their results so veterans can get the appropriate care they earned. Those impacted deserve nothing less.

Congress has provided the VA with the tools to remove bad actors. Failing to dismiss physicians and any other employees whose work is unsatisfactory does a disservice to our veterans. We are committed to rigorous oversight to protect the men and women who sacrificed and served our country and will hold those who break the law and undermine the mission of the VA accountable.

Source: https://katv.com/news/local/fayetteville-va-medical-center-says-impaired-pathologist-misdiagnosed-patients

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34 Comments

  1. 07 04 18 BY WAY OF DECEPTION, WE SHALL DO WAR PART PART 2
    “https://wp.me/p1jN4X-29H”
    George Washington, in his farewell address, advised Americans to avoid an “unnatural connection with any foreign power” and “to have with them as little political connection as possible.”[2] Apparently, future leaders ignored that advice. By June 1953, the U.S. government had given Israel $293,000,000 with an additional of $200,000,000 as Export-Import bank loans. The New York Herald-Tribune of March 12, 1953 reported that, in the first five years of Israel’s existence, including gifts, the total amounted to $1,000,000,000. This was in addition to the money they extracted from Germany.[3]

    BEWARE OF THE PEOPLE YOU CAN NOT CRITICIZE

  2. “Barack Hussein Obama´s Bill SB2433, The Poverty Act of 2007.” Absolutely hilarious! It´s like calling beating babies with baseball bats “The Righteousness Act of 2001.”

  3. That Gold Fringe surrounding the American Flag is representative of the Military Rule of The 1933 Bankruptcy Act. It suspended Congress(now 25 man committees make the Corporate rules”laws”) and it suspended the courts(They don’t have “Criminal jurisdiction” to rule over you) This “Emergency Banking act”, has to be signed by every President entering office to be in effect. The last time it was signed was by Trump back in Feb/March 2018, under the National Defense Authorization Act. “NDAA”…before that, it was Obama in Dec 2016 under the same name. On a side note: Titles 1-50 usc codes, were never passed into law by both House and Senate back in 1925. Congressional records “Statutes at Large” Volume 43-44 Congress passed them for “Codification Only”(to file into existing law) in march 1925, and passed them for “Publication only” in Dec 1925. But no record of them being passed into law exists! Titles 1-50 usc codes are “Administrative Rules” for Administrative agencies ONLY. Not for reg American citizens. No court can hear Constitutional law. Only corporate policies and “color of law” called state statutes…and no lawyer(BAR attorney) can bring in the real law into the courts or they get Disbarred!!! But BAR attorney took oaths to not mislead or misconstrue the American people or the laws of the Constitution or they can get Disbarred from the BAR!
    1

  4. “The most dangerous man to any government is the man who is able to think things out…without regard to the prevailing superstitions and taboos. Almost inevitably he comes to the conclusion that the government he lives under is dishonest, insane, and intolerable.” FL. Hamer

  5. 07/04/2018

    Dear Benjamin Krause,

    Enjoy the 4th with your family, hope everything is going good.

    There is more to this picture and we are still looking to close at it —-we need to back away and see what we are really looking at.
    “5,000 deaths are undergoing an additional level of review”—-one doctor at one Hospital

    150 hospitals x 5,000=750,000 deaths
    3 Million Veterans at risk
    Sincerely,
    Don Karg

  6. The problem as I see it is that as I personally roam the halls of VHA in my area it is just plain impossible to really tell which ones are impaired and which ones just behave that way normally.

  7. — TOPSY TURVY –

    After reading an article about a California Mayor who published a column in the Independent Voice on Friday calling for July to be a celebration of “Straight Pride American Month,” or SPAM. It has occurred to me that it would be an excellent idea. One I could strongly support.

    Although it sounds like an excellent idea there are cost involved. An example, the intolerant, discriminatory, anti-social LGBTQ community, have now formed groups online to create a recall against the mayor. They are also planned protest for the city’s next council meeting, which is scheduled to take place today Tuesday, July 3, according to the city’s official website.

    One has to wonder why we put up with the intolerance and discriminatory practices of the LGBTQ community.

    See:
    “Northern California Vice Mayor’s call for “Straight Pride American Month” sparks recall efforts”
    By Melissa Murphy, Mercury News, July 2nd, 2018
    “https://www.mercurynews.com/2018/07/02/northern-california-vice-mayors-call-for-straight-pride-american-month-sparks-recall-efforts/”

  8. I have repeatedly turned over to the VA, VHA and Houston VAMC and made the VA IG aware, the White House and both Chairmen of the House and Senate VA Affairs Committee about a Houston VAMC Dentist who knowingly and willingly provided me a false periodontal diagnosis in my record and verbally, and I have submitted proof positive by several Dentists and/or Periodontists that it was false, and no one has done a thing about it. What good is an Accountability Act if none of us Veterans can submit a complaint so those doing wrong or engaged in misconduct are investigated. What good is a VA Tort when the VA has their own Tort Attorneys make a Determination if you catch them in malpractice or negligence, kind of like the fox in charge of the hen house. Sounds like Veterans pay the price without much chance for justice and holding anyone accountable. Sick of the System!

    1. It’s simple really. As long as they can keep you busy filing paperwork by pretending to be concerned then they don’t have to worry about you chambering a round and putting in some work.

  9. The corruption is systemic. We have become what we fought. Maybe tomorrow some brave and bold Patriot will attempt to water the tree of liberty. We’ve had an ocean of patriots blood spilled already, I think it’s time the Tyrants got a chance at bat…

    1. Dangerous words but is a “call to arms” all that unnecessary? If setting fire to yourself doesn’t get that much, or any, attention maybe something more drastic is necessary? I would call Trumps Whitehouse hotline but I just can’t seem to find the number. Hmmm? Just questions NSA just questions.

  10. Annnnd this is why I like the idea of being able to have the choice for both VA and private healthcare. Second opinions are comforting, necessary and would help in keeping the VA Healthcare accountable. Being able to seek a different healthcare physician if you feel your medical condition is not being treated properly, is crucial, for obvious reasons stated in this morning’s commentary.

    So sad, I know this veteran’s pain and frustration personally! Five years of my life lost trying to regain my health back from a near-death situation as a result of a misdiagnosis and wrongly prescribed medication from a “nurse” not a doctor. So obviously I am against nurses filling in for doctors as well. If I recall correctly, the VA was trying to push that agenda through also.

    I’m very upset about all this and don’t understand why things are not improving! When you are aware of the problem, solutions are obvious as well. One thing that comes to mind is that it is difficult to hold the VA accountable when you can’t find legal representation. I don’t know why this is so difficult, perhaps there’s not enough money it this type of case?

    Keep on keeping on, never give up until justice has been served – Happy Fourth of July!!!

    Godspeed

    This apathetic and reckless acknowledgement of the DAV’s healthcare situation is criminal! But I guess I’m singing to the choir, aren’t I.

    1. cj ¯¯̿̿¯̿̿’̿̿̿̿̿̿̿’̿̿’̿̿̿̿̿’̿̿̿)͇̿̿)̿̿̿̿ ‘̿̿̿̿̿̿\̵͇̿̿\=(•̪̀●́)=o/̵͇̿̿/’̿̿ ̿ ̿̿ says:

      Agreed TLC, it is criminal, and to me, so are all those elected officials who know about all this, and do absolutely nothing to correct it all. They are too busy filling their pockets with gold, the VA is the new post office scandal, waiting for anyone with balls to publicize it, isn’t it obvious the “FAKE NEWS” doesn’t listen, or read, what Veterans are saying?

      Godspeed, and happy 4th back at ya.

  11. Things have not changed. I would love to tell you about my fathers recent experience with the Fayetteville Er and unclear instructions that could have killed him

    1. Michelle,
      This is one time when tactics of getting in their faces without letting up and lawsuits and lawsuits. Can’t take the pressure off of these incompetent and malicious boobs and nothings. Time to march, take a tip from Antifa jam them up, nothing else will work, cuz these boobecrats won’t work and you can’t fire them, and it is illegal to kill them,

      1. cj ¯¯̿̿¯̿̿’̿̿̿̿̿̿̿’̿̿’̿̿̿̿̿’̿̿̿)͇̿̿)̿̿̿̿ ‘̿̿̿̿̿̿\̵͇̿̿\=(•̪̀●́)=o/̵͇̿̿/’̿̿ ̿ ̿̿ says:

        Flotmorton, the VA doesn’t give a shit about lawsuits, nor do they give a shit about murdering Veterans. Check this shit out from 2008.

        “https://www.foxnews.com/story/2008/01/29/investigators-suspects-substandard-care-led-to-1-deaths-at-illinois-va-hospital.html”

        A new/old world kind of justice is needed here, its called a rope and a tree.

      2. @cj

        Hanging’s too good for some of these fucks…although I’d love to bring back tarring and feathering topped off with a walk of shame. A little public humiliation would go a long way…

        How’s this for for a little piece of 4th of July legislation:

        Anybody who harms or knowingly allows to be harmed a veteran in any capacity shall be stripped of citizenship and deported to parts unknown.

        To paraphrase:

        If your such a clueless moron or so corrupt that you can’t see that you owe every one of your goddamned rights to people like us then get the fuck out we don’t need you.

        In a mood. Super pissed. Who wants to wave some flags 😀 😀 😀

      3. cj ¯¯̿̿¯̿̿’̿̿̿̿̿̿̿’̿̿’̿̿̿̿̿’̿̿̿)͇̿̿)̿̿̿̿ ‘̿̿̿̿̿̿\̵͇̿̿\=(•̪̀●́)=o/̵͇̿̿/’̿̿ ̿ ̿̿ says:

        WC, I am on board with all of the above. Hey, don’t completely rule out hanging, there is something freakishly hypnotizing, and calming, about watching a body gently swinging from a tree, in a cool summer breeze.

    2. cj ¯¯̿̿¯̿̿’̿̿̿̿̿̿̿’̿̿’̿̿̿̿̿’̿̿̿)͇̿̿)̿̿̿̿ ‘̿̿̿̿̿̿\̵͇̿̿\=(•̪̀●́)=o/̵͇̿̿/’̿̿ ̿ ̿̿ says:

      I hope your NOT telling us the story because you have ongoing litigation, otherwise……………….go on man, get the word out.

      1. cj ¯¯̿̿¯̿̿’̿̿̿̿̿̿̿’̿̿’̿̿̿̿̿’̿̿̿)͇̿̿)̿̿̿̿ ‘̿̿̿̿̿̿\̵͇̿̿\=(•̪̀●́)=o/̵͇̿̿/’̿̿ ̿ ̿̿ says:

        Oops misread your name, sorry about that, go on miss, get the word out.

  12. “The interim director of the Fayetteville VA says he was notified of each incident during which a colleague knew the pathologist was practicing medicine while impaired.”

    It sounds to me like the interim director needs to be fired as well.

    Look, it’s really simple, when you walk into a place to see a doctor it’s 99.9% of the time because you have a health problem. When a doctor get’s it wrong with you not only is he placing your health at risk but also potentially your life depending on the severity of your medical issues. Add chemical dependencies to the mix and you have a recipe for disaster for the veteran.

    I’m sorry but the very first time this doctor was reported to be impaired he should have been forced to undergo a blood, hair, and urine test to verify chemical dependency and removed from practice pending outcome of said tests. Sounds like this doctor already has one body on his hands. Why are we not referring him to the FBI and then the DOJ?

    I’m curious how many “incidents” was the interim director made aware of before he decided to “take action”? Sounds to me like the “interim director” needs to be slapped with at least gross negligence and accessory to murder.

    1. cj ¯¯̿̿¯̿̿’̿̿̿̿̿̿̿’̿̿’̿̿̿̿̿’̿̿̿)͇̿̿)̿̿̿̿ ‘̿̿̿̿̿̿\̵͇̿̿\=(•̪̀●́)=o/̵͇̿̿/’̿̿ ̿ ̿̿ says:

      WyldeChylde, the VA has it’s own version of FBI DOJ, its called the director/Dr. whack-a-mole program. Very similar to the witness protection program, but with this program,, they don’t change the identity, but they do get a promotion and a raise. Murderers of Veterans, are idolized at the VA, and usually includes a “special” , “secret”, “Veteran Bounty Bonus”

      Yeahhhhhhhhhhhhh thats the ticket!!!

      Shut the entire mess down, yeahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh thats even a BETTER ticket!!!

  13. Just one more stellar example of the proficient and exacting care only the VHA can deliver/provide to our veterans!? FACEPALM!!

  14. Wait…a…minute!

    Wasn’t this the exact same VA a few years back a VA medical assistant killed a 74+ year old Vet in his hospital bed via blunt force trauma…trial’s been staved-off several times? Same hell hole?

    1. Nevermind, wrong VA (that was Louisiana)…same systemic mess of a hell hole.

      1. “https://federalnewsradio.com/hiring-retention/2018/07/why-direct-hire-authority-isnt-enough-to-resolve-vas-staffing-shortages/”

        COA is correct. Seems there are some very severe issues going on in the health care fields full circle VA or not. On top of all the retaliation and “professional courtesies” used to protect all their own and refusals to help patients who are constantly abused/toyed with, threatened, damaged, or seem to be black-balled from health care. Or intentionally run off from the VA which is easily done. With no one in authority willing to do anything about it. I think I have shown/proven that much along with the many reasons why and deep connections. Depends on the state, levels of corruption, connections, media, etc.

        Let’s not forget all those “professionals” have access to ‘dope’ we don’t, legal or not. They can have their high dose B-12 shots on top of whatever else they take, we or I could not. Like we are so stupid we can’t tell when a MD or staff isn’t hopped up on something or acting like a Amphetamine junkie or speed freak. Or smelling like booze. Or going to an emergency room for pain shots to get sterile water or something like we are dumb as hell, or new to the system, and can’t tell the difference.

  15. “[…The various articles locally addressing the impaired doctor seem to imply chemical dependency of some kind. If not chemical, what other kinds of impairment over a long period of time might result in the penalties this doctor received?…]”

    This Dr.’s “impairment” is actually an “impalement” of his head up his ass…one of many impaired impaled assholes working at the VA. Impaled by their own stupidity/lack of ethics.
    Diagnosis: Cranium Obstructus Anus.

    1. Great comment but a huge issue. As a RN I think it is Cranial Anal Obstructus but I get and agree with your point!!

  16. “https://www.freedomsphoenix.com/News/242955-2018-07-02-veterans-put-on-skull-masks-march-to-expose-epidemic-of.htm?From=News”

    Didn’t hear about this one or I’d got a mask and protested in front of the open border communist crowds who are censoring and attacking those who don’t agree with their group think or illegals and foreigners first, Americans and vets last.

    1. Need a gas mask, instead of an Antifa mask, T.\ (And the Marine Platoon in the defensive perimeter)
      Sad, Sad, Sad fact is you don’t have a choice of a doctor when you have to go to the VA which is the most screwed bureaucracy in America. …Down with the VA and pay veterans to go to the doctor of their choice according to the quality of the Doctor.

    2. 07 03 18 BY WAY OF DECEPTION, WE SHALL DO WAR PART 1
      “https://wp.me/p1jN4X-29E”
      Populations wouldn’t knowingly consent to their own demise. But distracted, naïve, ignorant citizens, by their consent, relinquish their liberties by placing their trust in others, (1) two-faced lying politicians who have abandoned the constitution and sold their souls and, (2) the persuasive profit-driven elite media. Smiling talking heads and brilliant, fast-talking female lawyers in low-cut garments legitimize immodesty while peddling infotainment disguised as news. They equivocate among themselves over the Neocon’s next war target which they claim is necessary to keep America safe. While selling their illusions and building our perceptions, what to wear, eat, drink, think and who to fear, they conceal, suppress or gloss over stories that are actually pertinent to our lives.

      1. Not one of them here get it that the whole enchilada is nothing more than a big racket designed for their slow or fast demise. they still believe in the medical system. thanks for the great post.

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