No diagnostic imaging studies were ordered, and no reasonable explanation was offered for his condition. Passmore can't feel his feet; his chest shakes, his right-hand jitters, he can't run or swim with his kids, he struggles with incontinence, and he has nerve pain that fires through his back. Boop said that Duntsch spent his final year as an attending physician and could not operate independently. Plano's Baylor hospital faces hard questions after claims against Following his blunders, Duntsch resigned from Baylor Plano in April 2012 before they could fire him. [15], Duntsch joined Baylor Regional Medical Center at Plano (now Baylor Scott & White Medical Center Plano) as a minimally invasive spine surgeon with a salary of $600,000 per year, plus bonuses. Trusty would later find out there was no award and it had just been a paid advertisement. Of those 38, 31 were leftparalyzed or seriously injured and two of them died from surgical complications. Jodi Smith. Create your free profile and get access to exclusive content. A neurosurgeon in Dallas, Texas, who once described himself as a "stone cold killer" was sentenced to life in prison on February 20 for maiming a woman named Mary . Now, his time at the university . [9][10], Duntsch had severed Brown's vertebral artery, and refused to abort despite the massive blood loss. The databank was established in 1990 and tracks malpractice payouts and adverse actions against doctors, such as being fired, banned from Medicare, handed a lengthy suspension, or having their license suspended or revoked. He was then brought on board at the Dallas Medical Center where he continued his carnage. For instance, he came to work wearing the same tattered scrubs for three days in a row. Had Duntsch been fired, Baylor Plano would have been required to report him to the National Practitioner Data Bank (NPDB), which is intended to flag problematic physicians. and Ph.D. from the University of Tennessee Health Center. During a deposition, Megan Krane recalled Duntsch eating a paper blotter of LSD and taking prescription painkillers on his birthday. Muse spiraled into opioid addiction that cost him his wife and his job. When Henderson opened the freshly made incisions on her, he was appalled. Duntsch is the first physician sentenced to life in prison for his actions while practicing medicine. Trusty was never told she was participating in an infomercial and believed Duntsch had been selected as the top neurosurgeon in Dallas and was participating in a video about the award. This meant Summers could still feel pain, but was unable to move from the neck down. How could Dr. Christopher Duntsch practice medicine for as long as he did without being stopped? Duntsch approached Pam Trusty about being on camera during a follow-up visit where she was still in pain. The Real Story Behind the Dr. Death Podcast - Christopher Duntsch Anatomy of a Tragedy: The Story Behind 'Sociopath Surgeon' Christopher While they were in the lab working, Duntsch went to work raising money for a company he called DiscGenics. After interviewing dozens of Duntsch's patients and their survivors, prosecutors concluded that Duntsch's acts were indeed criminal, and nothing short of imprisonment would prevent him from practicing medicine again. A few days later, he took the test and passed. [33][34] The indictments were made four months before the statute of limitations were to run out. 'Dr. Death': Who Is Kim Morgan, and What Happened to Her? Brown was left in a coma for hours before Duntsch finally acquiesced to her transfer. In the end, Floella Brown never regained consciousness because Duntsch refused to transfer her to another doctor in time, and her family had to remove her from life support. [18] Despite this, Duntsch was retained by South Hampton when new owners bought it and renamed it University General Hospital. As a young neurosurgeon in Texas, Duntsch killed . He will not be eligible for parole until 2045, when he will be 74-years-old. Around 2006 and 2007, Duntsch began to become unhinged. By this time, however, Brown was brain dead. [7], When Duntsch applied for privileges at Methodist Hospital in Dallas, the hospital queried the NPDB. Is Dr. Death on Netflix? Where to watch Dr. Death online Moving made sense for both of them. Updated Dec 9, 2022 at 3:25pm. WFAA-TVChristopher Duntsch a.k.a. Now, a podcast called Dr. Death is breaking down the deranged surgeon's criminal acts and shows how drug abuse and blinding overconfidence led to big trouble for the patients who found themselves underneath the spiraling doctor's knife.. Fennell required months of rehabilitation to be able to walk with a cane, and was left unable to walk for more than 30 feet or stand for more than a few minutes without having to sit down again. During surgery, Duntsch damaged Summers' vertebral artery causing it to bleed uncontrollably. 1-Christopher Duntsch and then girlfriend, Wendy Young. However, it wasn't clear how much training Duntsch received. For 33 patients of Texas neurosurgeon Christopher Duntsch, it was a reality. Dr. Duntsch came from a good family and showed considerable potential at medical school. I left with him and believed in him and then, you know, he just kind of fell apart.. The staff told Duntsch that Brown, his patient from the day before, was in critical condition. He stalled at first, telling administrators he got lost on the way to the lab. Since receiving his life sentence, Dr Death is currently housed in the O.B. Duntsch had also installed hardware into her muscle, not her bone, so loose that it moved when you touched it. In addition, a ligament in his leg was severed, and a screw was stripped and lodged into a nerve bundle. Duntschs career started off bright. [13] In 2010, Duntsch moved to Dallas. Despite this refusal, Duntsch was allowed to finish his residency. He claimed he was the best in Dallas. Mary Efurd: While Brown was dying, Duntsch was operating on Mary Efurd, a 71-year-old anxious to return to her treadmill after surgery to relieve her back pain. The television series Dr. Death based on the incident, began streaming on Peacock in July 2021. [27], While attempting to remove degenerated discs in Marshall "Tex" Muse's back, Duntsch left surgical hardware floating between the spine and muscle tissue. Why Did Dr. Death Do It? 'Dr. Death: The Undoctored Story' Explains Duntsch, 40 at that time, bought an appletini for Young, 27, and they started their relationship. Duntsch had come highly recommended to Fennell and wooed him with boasts that he'd soon be head of Baylor Medical Center's entire neurosurgery department. Duntsch told Mayfield's wife it went well, but she instantly knew something was wrong as she walked into his room. "After building a flourishing neurosurgery practice, everything suddenly changes when patients entering Dr. Duntsch's operating room for complex but routine spinal surgeries start leaving permanently disabled or dead. In addition, a neurosurgeon hired to review Brown's case found that Dr. Duntsch had misdiagnosed the source of her pain and was operating in the wrong place. Troy was left barely able to speak above a whisper, had to be sedated for weeks and had to be fed through a feeding tube for some time as food was getting into her lungs. He will not be eligible for parole until 2045, when he will be 74-years-old. Dr. Death: La verdadera historia detrs de la nueva serie sobre el ex They have two sons. He wrote grants and secured more than $3 million in funding. However, Baylor did not fire him; instead, he was allowed to resign. Left: Christopher Duntsch in surgery, Right: Christopher Duntschs mugshot. Where is Kim Morgan Now? Over this period, Duntsch performed back surgeries that left his patients in a worse condition, paralyzed, or deceased. [36] On February 20, 2017, he was sentenced to life in prison. July 19, 2021. [18] He damaged patient Philip Mayfield's spinal cord, drilling into it and leaving him partially paralyzed from the neck down. At the time, Duntsch was accused of injuring 33 out of 38 patients in less than two years before the Texas Medical Board revoked his license. [12], Initially, Duntsch focused heavily on the PhD half of his degree. The first screening came back diluted with tap water, but a second, taken a few days later, came back clean. The problem was that Dallas Medical Center did not perform those or even have the proper equipment to do them. However, the surgery had to be moved to November 14 because Duntsch had failed to order the appropriate surgical hardware and equipment. Due to these legal hurdles and costly lawyer fees on the plaintiff's part, few hospitals end up having to pay out after facing a malpractice lawsuit. Dr. Christopher Duntsch appeared to havean impressive resume, but left a trail ofpain and devastation for those who trusted him with their health. Your trust is important to us. Ghostbar, Dragonfly at Hotel Zaza. 0:05. However, during training for neurosurgery he followed a research path and did fewer operations than most trainees. Christopher Daniel Duntsch was born in Montana on April 3, 1971, and raised alongside his three siblings in an affluent suburb of . Henderson then cleaned out bone fragments and discovered that one of Efurd's nerve roots was gone entirely. i feel much better now ! Around this time, Christopher Duntsch's behavior became noticeably erratic. In May 2013, Dr. Randall Kirby was invited to a dinner by University General Hospital to meet their new neurosurgeon, Dr. Duntsch. Dr. Death (2021 TV series) Dr. Death is an American crime drama miniseries created by Patrick Macmanus, based on the podcast of the same name, focusing on the titular Christopher Duntsch, a neurosurgeon who became infamous for permanently mutilating his patients, killing two of them. [38], Duntsch is housed at the O. In effect, plaintiffs have to prove a tough case without access to the necessary hospital records. Officers said he was driving on the left side of the road with two flat tires. Leaving on April 20, 2012, with a lawyer-negotiated letter saying, "All areas of concern with regard to Christopher D. Duntsch have been closed. Duntsch is a former neurosurgeon born in 1971 in Montana . To see the rest of Dr. Christopher Duntsch's murder and maiming spree, and the fight to stop him, you'll need to purchase Peacock premium. Assistant district attorney Michelle Shughart, who led the prosecution of Duntsch, later recalled that Henderson and Kirby reached out to her demanding to testify against Duntsch; according to Shughart, doctors rarely testify against each other. Dr. Death: Disgraced surgeon at center of podcast, show has CSU roots During his tenure at Baylor Plano, Kimberly Morgan assisted in every surgery with Duntsch. 'Dr. Death': Texas Neurosurgeon Sentenced to Life in Prison - Peoplemag Duntsch continued operating despite clear signs that Martin was losing massive amounts of blood. He remained there for several months before being allowed to return to the residency. [10][7], Duntsch completed his residency having participated in fewer than 100 surgeries. Lee Passmore is still fighting. He was left with only one vocal cord, permanent damage to his esophagus, and partial paralysis on his left side. In March, the following spring, police were called to a bank in Northeast Dallas after a man with blood on his hands and face was seen beating on the doors. Three holes had been poked into Efurd's spinal column where Duntsch had tried and failed to insert screws. Chahadeh was worried about his facility and getting sued by Duntsch; he said to Dr. Kirby that they had already given him privileges. He is currently appealing this sentence. Base compensation was $600,000 a year for two years, beginning on June 14, 2011. B. Ellis Unit outside Huntsville. His name appeared on several papers and patents, and he took part in a number of biotech startups. Then, on July 24, 2012, he operated on Floella Brown. He later appealed his case, but lost when his conviction was upheld 2-1 in the Fifth District Court of Appeals . The series peers into the torturous crimes of . Patient paralyzed by Dr. Death 'guarantees' there are other surgeons During surgery, he cut a major vessel in her spinal cord. Kane also recalled a cocaine- and LSD-fueled night of partying between her, her ex-boyfriend, and Duntsch where, after the end of their all-night party, she saw Duntsch put on his lab coat and go to work. Texas neurosurgeon nicknamed 'Dr. Death' found guilty of maiming woman As Burke says in "Dr. Death," "No matter what happens, no matter what somebody does to you or the people you love, all you're gonna get is $250,000. I can't believe that you're accusing me of killing someone,'" Muse recounted. Mayfield was taken to a different hospital and told his spinal cord had already been deformed, and the damage was irreversible. Texas law states that hospitals are liable for damages caused by doctors in their facilities only if the plaintiff can prove that the hospital acted with "malice"that is, the hospital knew of the extreme risk and ignored itin credentialing a doctor. Over objections from Duntsch's lawyers, prosecutors called many of Duntsch's other patients to the stand to prove that his actions were intentional. "I called Dr. Duntsch up, and I said, 'I saw this online.' In July 2015, Duntsch was arrested in Dallas and charged with six felony counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, five counts of aggravated assault causing severe bodily injury, and one count of injury to an elderly person. Duntsch stuffed Glidewell's throat with a surgical sponge to attempt to stop the bleeding. There were two names on the top page: Kellie Martin and Christopher Duntsch. But police say an email Duntsch wrote in 2011 points to his mind-set in the months before he "intentionally, knowingly and . Many readers may recognize the name Christopher Duntsch, a doctor who allegedly was negligent in his practice for years before finally being stripped of his medical license. You'd like to think . He is not eligible for parole until 2045; he will be 74 years old by then. This case was filed in Dallas County District Courts, Dallas County Civil District Courts located in Dallas, Texas. After this look at Christopher Duntsch a.k.a. His first and only surgery with MISI was on a Thursday in September 2011 at Baylor Plano. By this time, Jerry Summers, his childhood friend, had moved from Tennessee to live with Duntsch. According to court documents, surgeons at the Minimally Invasive Spine Institute soon grew suspicious of Duntsch. Finally, the board permanently revoked Duntsch's license on December 6, 2013. Baylor Plano again ordered Duntsch to take a drug test. Death.. Soon after starting Efurd's surgery, Duntsch turned to Kissinger and told him he would be performing a craniotomy on Floella Brown. He realized he'd seen that hole for three straight days Duntsch hadn't changed his scrubs all week. Written by Patrick Macmanus, the show will only be available exclusively on Peacock. However, St. Jude says there was no such program at the hospital. Christopher Duntsch. [19][16] Kirby claimed that it looked as if Duntsch had tried to decapitate Glidewell and contended that such a botched surgery "has not happened in the United States of America" before. I thought he was either really, really good, or hes just really, really arrogant and thought he was good, Hoyle said. Duntsch arrived at the hospital about 45 minutes after Efurd's surgery had been scheduled. "He said the patient died from having an allergic reaction to the anesthesia." The day that Brown suffered her stroke, Duntsch operated again. The former neurosurgeon Christopher Duntsch was finally brought to justice after injuring and maiming over 30 of his patients during surgery and allegedly causing the deaths of two more. He did his surgical residency at the University of Tennessee in Memphis, spending five years studying neurosurgery and a year studying general surgery. If Baylor Plano or Dallas Medical had reported him to the Texas Medical Board or the National Practitioner Databank, hiring personnel would have been notified something was wrong. When Henderson saw the imaging from Duntsch's surgery, he was certain that there would be legal action, and had the salvage surgery recorded. The suit alleged that Baylor Plano made an average net profit of $65,000 on every spinal surgery performed by Duntsch. Where Is Christopher Duntsch Now After His Appearance on - Distractify However, Duntsch was allowed to resign, and the hospital didn't notify the National Practitioner Data Bankagain. She bled to death . He said, "Randy, you were right. However, it wouldnt be long until Duntschs seemingly perfect career began to unravel. His older son had been born back when he was at Baylor Plano. CHRISTOPHER Duntsch, is infamously known as Dr Death for gross malpractice. [16] In 2021, he was profiled on CNBC's American Greed. Dr. Mark Hoyle, a surgeon who worked with Duntsch during one of his botched procedures, told D Magazine that he would make extremely arrogant announcements such as: Everybody is doing it wrong. [4] Duntsch also claimed to have graduated magna cum laude from St. Jude Childrens Research Hospital with a doctorate in microbiology a program that the hospital did not offer at the time he allegedly attended.
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