By BRETT SHIPP = WFAA-TV - Tuesday, July 3, 2007
The former chairman of Parkland Memorial Hospital's emergency room has made disturbing allegations about the care of patients.
In addition to claiming taxpayers are being cheated by his bosses who are breaking the law, he said patients are being mistreated. He also said the moment he voiced complaints to UT Southwestern officials, he was then demoted.
Dr. Larry Gentilello is recognized as one of the top trauma surgeons in the country.
However, he was demoted in March after he said he complained to his supervisor, Dr. Robert Rege, that UT Southwestern was cheating indigent patients and taxpayers by not properly staffing the emergency room with experienced surgeons as required.
Gentilello said he observed patients at Parkland's emergency room being treated by residents with no attending physicians. He also said he saw residents conduct surgeries without supervision.
In his lawsuit against UT Southwestern Health Systems, Gentilello claimed the situation at the hospital is not only "illegal," but has also resulted in "inadequate patient care," and at the very least, violates "proper operating room and patient treatment protocols."
UT Southwestern released a statement that said Gentilello's claims are "baseless" and that he was removed from his position for "legitimate reasons."
In fact, on the witness stand, Gentilello's supervisor said the ER director never talked with him about any problems.
But Gentilello said he did blow the whistle, not only because UT Southwestern has billed for services not rendered, but also because he said supervisory surgeons have been busy serving paying customers at Zale Lipshy Hospital next door.
Gentilello said he wants his old job back and wants UT Southwestern to treat patients and taxpayers fairly and honestly.
Watch report on WFAA
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