Upstate Medical University in Syracuse, N.Y., has fired neurosurgeon William A. Stewart, MD, claiming he refused to cooperate in an investigation, but Dr. Stewart says he was terminated for whistleblowing, according to a Post-Standard report.
Dr. Stewart, who has been a part of Upstate's faculty since 1968, filed a complaint with the New York State Department of Health. His complaint alleged misconduct by two Upstate physicians, which led to an investigation. The state criticized the hospital's surgical services and patient safety, but said there was insufficient evidence to bring charges of professional misconduct.
Upstate spokesperson Darryl Geddes said Dr. Stewart was terminated March 18 because he refused the hospital's request that he cooperate in an investigation into an intentional breach of confidential information, including private patient care records. Dr. Stewart said two private investigators, hired by Upstate, visited him in Dec. 2010, but he refused to speak with them. He also claims he never disclosed private patient information.
Read the Post-Standard report on Upstate Medical University.
Read more about hospitals and whistleblowing:
- North Carolina's Rex Hospital Pays $1.9M to Settle Medicare Fraud Allegations
- Whistleblower Reveals Mold Growing in Walls of Oklahoma's Norman Regional
- California Physician Sues Hospital for Retaliation After He Charged Poor Quality of Care
Dr. Stewart, who has been a part of Upstate's faculty since 1968, filed a complaint with the New York State Department of Health. His complaint alleged misconduct by two Upstate physicians, which led to an investigation. The state criticized the hospital's surgical services and patient safety, but said there was insufficient evidence to bring charges of professional misconduct.
Upstate spokesperson Darryl Geddes said Dr. Stewart was terminated March 18 because he refused the hospital's request that he cooperate in an investigation into an intentional breach of confidential information, including private patient care records. Dr. Stewart said two private investigators, hired by Upstate, visited him in Dec. 2010, but he refused to speak with them. He also claims he never disclosed private patient information.
Read the Post-Standard report on Upstate Medical University.
Read more about hospitals and whistleblowing:
- North Carolina's Rex Hospital Pays $1.9M to Settle Medicare Fraud Allegations
- Whistleblower Reveals Mold Growing in Walls of Oklahoma's Norman Regional
- California Physician Sues Hospital for Retaliation After He Charged Poor Quality of Care