VAWBC Members:
Please note, the following represents only a small portion of our membership. Many are not listed to avoid the potential for further retaliation.
Lewis R. Baxter, Jr., M.D. Lew is a Professor of Psychiatry at McKnight Brain Institute at the University of Florida in Gainesville, FL and Adjunct Professor of Psychiatry and Pharmacology at UCLA. Having done research with VA scientists since 1980 (including being the official mentor of VA research training awardees even when not a VA employee himself, by special request of the VA Office of Research), Dr. Baxter did not work for the VA until September 2002, when in addition to his research commitments at UF, he was appointed Chief of Psychiatry of the North Florida / South Georgia VA Healthcare System. Noting poor patient care and financial fraud on his and related services, Baxter initially had good administrative support to make needed multiple changes, under the auspices of the Acting Director. However, shortly after the arrival of the new VISN Director, Mr. Fred Malphurs, in early 2003, Baxter was accused of “creating a hostile work environment”, and removed in the spring of 2003 after he made several reports to the Office of the Inspector General concerning possible felonies. Dr. Baxter claims that multiple perjuries were committed during the VA “hearing” of this matter, a hearing in which he was not allowed to question accusers, nor to present his own witnesses, witnesses who could and would impeach their accusations.
LAURA BERG APRN, BC MSN Laura is a Psychiatric Clinical Nurse Specialist employed at the Albuquerque VA for 15 yrs. In SEPT 2005, she wrote a letter to the editor in a local newspaper where she strongly criticized the Bush Administration for lying, abandonment and war-over-people priorities, speaking to the War in Iraq, the Katrina response, global warming and the federal deficit. In the letter she stated she was a VA Nurse working with returning veterans who were experiencing PTSD with an impact of suffering that would reach for generations. She specifically spoke of Bush and his administration stating they should be tried for criminal negligence, and be forcefully removed from office for being part of a deceitful administration. The next day, VA administrative officials working collaboratively with the FBI seized her office computer. VA Information Security examined her computer hard drive. When questioned by Ms. Berg, the agency responded the Agency has a responsibility to investigate acts of possible sedition. She was admonished for speaking in opposition to the very government that employees you. Summary media on her case can be accessed at ALIBI.com (an Albuquerque newspaper, over several editions), Democracy Now or various Internet search engines.
Gloria Bunch was a nurse at the Kansas City VA. She was terminated and reprised against after filing for Worker`s Comp; she had a pending EEO claim in it`s formal investigative stages. She refused to lie to protect a coworker regarding certain "unacceptable & unethical" conduct when questioned by admininistrative staffers. She was fired as a result.
Jeffrey Fudin, B.S. Pharm.D., DAAPM. Jeff is Founder and Executive Director of the VA Whistleblowers Coalition. He is currently a Clinical Pharmacy Specialist at the Stratton VA Hospital in Albany, N.Y., Adjunct Associate Professor of Pharmacy Practice at Albany College of Pharmacy, a Diplomate to the American Academy of Pain Management, and CEO of NOVAPAIN Associates, a web-based information source and consultant service specific to pain managment. He began his career at the Stratton VA Hospital in Albany, N.Y. in 1982. Despite 19 years of flawless service to veterans, he was terminated from his employment in December 2001 after disclosing cancer research violations and patient abuse to VA officials and the VA-Offiice of Inspector General (VA-OIG). He brought the VA to court through the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB), prevailed, and was reinstated to Stratton with full benefits and back pay in July 2002. He remains at the Stratton VA today as a Clinical Pharmacy Specialist. In his earlier years, he developed one of the nation's first VA Oncology/Hematology Satellites after completion of an Onc-Heme specialty fellowship. He developed the Stratton Pharmacy-Cancer program into a model clinical site with direct clinical and research components. In 1996, subsequent to verbal warnings as early as 1994, and after new egregious discoveries of patient harm, abuse, and death, Fudin documented medical misconduct in writing to Stratton VA officials. One day later, Dr. Lawrence Flesh (at that time, Stratton VA Cheif of Staff) ordered an administrative investigation against Fudin, alleging patient abuse, the very same charges Fudin alleged of a medical oncologist. This began a string of retaliatory activities that can be viewed at Fudin's personal VA Whistleblower site.
Paul J Comerford is a Disabled American veteran that works at the Stratton VA in Albany NY in the Facilities Management department. In 2003, he I reported unprofessional and unethical conduct by a senior manager, and then a second manager for the improper posting of employment positions. After this report was filed, his supervisor consistently harassed him whenever she found the opportunity. The work environment became increasingly hostile. Eventually, the management team levied unfounded allegations against Paul for threatening his supervisor. All of Paul’s evidence was ignored and he was suspended. Since that time, Paul continues to be harassed. Most recently (April 2007), he was requested to perform a task which was out of his normal work duties. Without proper guidance or training to perform certain tasks, the outcome was less than expected. A scapegoat was needed, and Paul was chosen once again to take the fall. After contacting his congressman regarding these matters, including abuse of power, vindictive and disgraceful acts even towards a Disabled American Veteran, he now has joined the ranks of over 60 VAWBC affiliates and members. He has received the proverbial letter of proposed removal, a feta-compli.
William (Bill) W. Halle was employed as a WG-10 Locksmith (Electronic) by the VA Hudson Valley Health Care Center, which has 2 hospital campuses and 10 outpatient clinics in Westchester County area of New York State. The story started out as a burglary on the Locksmith Shop and stolen master keys, and ultimately revealed that Bill`s entire chain of command up to the Director was (is) involved in looting the assets of the repair department. The security container that was unlawfully accessed in the Locksmith Shop has ALL of the combinations and keys to ALL locks, vaults, containers, on the premises. That includes the computer rooms, all records and files, all Pharmacy vaults and rooms, Police evidence rooms and lockers, all patient and employee records either electronic or paper. Anything that is under any kind of lock or key, access control, computer servers, are accessible from the keys, records and combinations stored in the Locksmith safe. The mischief possible, by anyone who has access to this information and keys, is the complete and total compromise of all records and property under the control of the VA in the Hudson Valley. To date one entire home has been built with VA material, employees on VA time, using VA vehicles. Two private homes have been renovated or expanded using VA money that should have gone to patient care. Also, a number of homes have been repaired, painted, etc. At least $350,000 was stolen this way, with many more events for which the specifics are unknown. Bill`s reward for reporting this was immediate termination, with little recourse as he was on his initial 6 month probation as a new employee. OSC once again proved useless; the case remains under review by MSPB. During Bill`s short employment, he received an outstanding 90 day review, and a letter of merit from the Director of the Hudson Valley system! His credentials include US Army trained criminal investigator, a GS-13 rating from the Justice Department, and a GS-12 rating from the FBI as a Physical Security Specialist. He is a graduate of Rutgers University, BS, Institute of Management and Labor and has many years of experience as a Union Leader.
Scott Harrington, Pharm.D. Scott was previously employed by the Southern Arizona VA Health Care System in Tucson, AZ, In 2001, his employment as a hospital pharmacist was officially terminated 12 days after filing a complaint on the VA-OIG website. His allegations pertained to substandard patient care, including gross mismanagement of cardiac arrest resuscitations, a cancer chemotherapy overdose, poor supervision and training, and supervisor unresponsiveness to his concerns. He forfeited a legal battle after one year, after exhausing a $5000 retainer with his attorney and filing complaints with the VA-OIG, OSC, and MSPB. He decided to withdraw his appeal rather than invest several thousand more dollars to fight what he thought to be a corrupt system with an unlikely successful outcome.
Jeffrey Holst Jeff served with the US Army from 1986 to 1997, primarily serving with the Army Rangers. He has served with elite units such as 1st and 2nd Ranger Battalions, 4th Ranger Training Brigade, and the 82nd Airborne Division. He left the Army in 1997 to serve with the United States Secret Service Uniformed Division at the White House. In 2001, Jeff moved back to his home town in Iowa to raise his family and enjoy nights at home with his wife and children. In 2001, Jeff became a police officer at the Iowa City VA Medical Center. He contacted the Inspector General in December 2003, which led to an investigation by the Office of Security and Law Enforcement in early 2004 for fraud, waste, and abuse. This investigation resulted in the resignation of the Chief of Police, as well as varying degrees of disciplinary action for almost every member of the department including Mr. Holst. On April 11, 2005, Jeff was terminated after months of relentless harassment from not only officers within the police department but management and/or administration as well. Since the arrival of the IG, Jeff always had a pending action against him, ranging from his first and only poor performance evaluation to being mentally unfit for duty. Jeff appealed with the MSPB in October of 2005 and won. The judge determined that he was both wrongfully terminated, as well as retaliated against based upon being a whistleblower. Shortly after the Judge`s decision, the Medical Center Director retired. Mr. Holst returned to work as a police officer as directed by the ALJ in May of 2006 and was served his proposed termination on his second day back to work. On appeal, his action was reduced to a demotion in housekeeping. This action is currently being appealed to the MSPB. Jeff is proud of his service to his country, as well as the veteran and aspires to live by the motto and Rangers` Creed. Rangers Lead the Way!
Laura Holst, R.N., BSN. Laura served as a Military Intelligence Analyst in the United States Army from 1987 to 1990. While on active duty, she met her husband, Jeff Holst, in Korea where both served in the 102nd MI Battalion. After her military service, she began her studies in nursing and graduated from the University of Maryland in 2000. She was honored to practice at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Hematology Oncology and currently serves as a staff nurse at the VA Medical Center in Iowa City in the Intensive Care Unit. As a result of her husband`s whistle blowing, she has been the target of harassment and retaliation by members of the police department and administration. Laura has been relentlessly investigated for missing monies in the ICU despite the fact that the patient was never under her care. Pornography was sent to her employee mailbox by members of the police department. Negative reports have been generated with allegations ranging from improper uniform at a code to unsubstantiated accusations of patient neglect. Mrs. Holst is pained most watching her husband suffer, helplessly standing by and watching lesser men tarnish his character and a reputation he has worked hard to build. She stays and serves in the Intensive Care Unit, as she is passionate for the veteran and the critically ill. She will not be bullied!
Sylvia Lee, M.D. Sylvia was born in Cambodia in 1953. Before she became an American citizen, she lived in China. She shared the fear of upheaval with her parents who had themselves undergone wars and movements in China. On the contrary, the United States stood for justice and stability for her family. She came the U.S. after completing medical college in Taiwan. Until recently, Sylvia characterized herself as “not a very active person”, her favorite pastime being Chinese Operas. She enjoyed “a simple life; however, circumstances have turned her [me] into a whistleblower.” She disclosed fraud when she reported that a psychiatrist was being paid for time that he was not on official dute, nor was he present on site. She gave that evidence to the VA Inspector General, who in turn collaborated with the VA and shared confidential evidence with VA administrators. “It seems that some VA employees' conduct has redefined the U.S. democracy as just a more sophisticated system to allow suppression and corruption in comparison with some autocratic countries abroad. Nevertheless, it is fortunate that I learned of VAWBC and Semmelweis Society; I am deeply grateful for the members' endeavors and their help.”
Marsha Madewell was a Veterans' Claims Examiner Veterans' Claims Examiner at the VA Regional Office in Muskogee Oklahoma. She was fired after exposing to her local Senator concerns regarding poor quality work being produced to inflate patient numbers. (to receive more award money).
Anthony Mariano, R.Ph. Tony, a native of Canastota, New York, is a 1976 graduate of St. John’s University College of Pharmacy. After working at Mt. Sinai Hospital in New York City, Mariano began a stellar career with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). After working at the VA in Syracuse, New York, Chicago, Illinois and Togus, Maine, he was promoted to Pharmacy Manager at the VA in Albany New York in 1986.
While working in the VA system, Mariano was responsible for developing several clinical pharmacy programs, to include pain management, research, infectious disease, oncology, anti-coagulation and pharmacy renewal clinic. The development of these clinical programs resulted in the Albany VA pharmacy being named the premier pharmacy practice site in New York State by the New York State Pharmacy Association. During his 22-year tenure with the VA, Mariano was recognized with numerous performance and service awards.
Following his support to Clinical Pharmacy Specialist Dr. Jeffrey Fudin, who blew the whistle on the cancer research program at the Albany facility, Mariano engaged in his own whistleblowing activities and was subsequently separated from federal employment. His whistleblowing claims as well as his support to Fudin’s whistleblowing disclosures, continue to be reviewed and are currently under consideration with the U.S. Office of Special Counsel.
Mariano, along with Fudin was named Grand Marshall of the 2003 City of Albany New York Memorial Day Parade for his support of veterans and for taking a stand as it related to veteran healthcare safety at the Startton VA. Mariano was honored with a New York State legislative resolution recognizing his professional service, dedication and sacrifice made on behalf of veteran healthcare.
In 1996, Mariano, along with a VA co-worker, developed and produced the “Rex” talking medication bottle to assist patients who are blind in understanding the contents of their prescription medication. Mariano’s partner, Randy Allnatt, who is blind, saw the need for such a device and they began brainstorming the idea. Their business, MedivoxRx Technologies, continues to grow and provides a valuable product for persons who are blind and/or visually impaired. “Rex” is now available for prescription medication as well as use for over the counter medications. ( www.medivoxrx.com )
In addition to his work with MedivoxRx, Mariano is currently a Pharmacy Manager with Wal-Mart Corporation and continues to explore creative business ideas to increase pharmaceutical care practices.
Roberta Miller, M.D. Roberta worked for 14 years at the Stratton Veterans Affairs Hospital as the Medical Director of the Home Based Primary Care Program and was also the Director of the Home Care Training Institute. In August of 2003, Dr. Miller wrote a crisis letter regarding inadequate staffing, patient safety issues and the potential for misuse of new technologies. She requested an External Review from Veterans Affairs Headquarters. After the Crisis Letter Dr. Miller was allowed to hire another highly esteemed colleague from the community to join the Home Care Practice. The External Review was never carried out as requested. In November 2003 Dr. Miller's superiors retaliated against her demanding she vacate her office and essentially abandon her patients. Dr. Miller declined to choose any of the options given her because neither one was consistent with responsible medical care or responsible professional options. Her medical partner to be had been recruited to Iraq and the night he flew to Kuwait he was notified that he should ignore anything that he heard about the Stratton VA Homecare Program and that he would have a job when he returned. Despite courageous efforts by the Medical staff at the Stratton VAMC to support Dr. Miller, and her colleague, she was forced out of her position as medical director and ultimately left the VA in July 2004. Her partner, upon returning from Iraq joined Dr. Miller in a private practice of Home Care.
Catherine Pacilli, R.N. Catherine was an R.N. at the Fresno VA Hospital for 12 years. Her last years were spent working on a Psychiatric/Chemical Detoxification unit where she made a shocking discovery that forced her to leave her job. Buprenex (injectible) was being used to detoxify opiate dependent patients on a continuous basis for several years. After doing some research, Ms. Pacilli discovered that the use of Buprenex intramuscularly for this type of care was not FDA approved for that use. In fact, the Fresno VA was not even an licensed detoxification center at the time of this dicovery. Nevertheless, Buprenex was used routinely for this purpose without an investigational protocol or patients consent forms in place. Ms. Pacilli refused to administer Buprenex to patients for the purpose of opiate detoxification, as required by her professional practice standards. After going through the appropriate internal chain of command, she was threatened, embarassed, harassed, thrown out of the building, demoted, and placed on a indefinite administrative leave among other abuses. The Office of Special Counsel, local congresswoman, and VA Inspector Generals were all notified. None of the agencies acted to protect Ms. Pacilli.
Anil N Parikh, MD was a staff Physician/Internal Medicine at Jesse Brown VA Medical Center,Chicago, IL until October 2007, when he was fired for a purported HIPPA violation. He filed complaints with OIG/VA & copied them to Senator Barack Obama regarding fraud/waste mismanagement regarding significant workload difference between VA-Lakeside division (Now inpatient hospital close under CARE program) & VA-Westside(Now Jesse Brown VA Medical Center-Named after late VA secretary-Jesse Brown). Dr. Parikh filed a complaint on 10/18/2005 to OIG-VA & copy to Barack Obama-Senator who sits on VA oversight committee regarding Negligence in Veterans care. Dr. Parikh disclosed that a Medical Intern/Resident who was in training, left a guide wire which was 60 cms (2 foot) long -FOREIGN BODY- in not one but TWO VETERANS` patient bodies during surgery. A report from the OIG-VA came out 1 yr later with some cover up on 10/18/2006--see report # 06-00464-06. Dr. Parikh filed with MSPB through his attorney regarding the cases and the VA tried to suspend him. He did not receive a favorable judgment, but due to whistleblower protection act, the VA had rescinded suspension order after one more failed attempt. Even though the VA was guilty of a prohibited personnel practice, they terminated Dr. Parikh…he is still fighting the case.
David Shaller, M.D. David, 52, was fired from the Veterans Affairs Medical Center at Wilkes-Barre after trying to expose poor patient care, and his legal attempts to regain his position continue 13 years later. Shaller, Chief of Rheumatology and Chief Physician for the hospital's nursing home care unit, complained in 1988 when his hospital began transferring seriously ill patients from the facility's hospital to an adjacent nursing home. A hospital committee, which included the physician who ordered the patient transfers, decided Shaller`s complaint had no validity. Afterward, he was transferred to lower level jobs, threatened with a sexual misconduct charge and eventually fired after he had complained about patient care to the VA Inspector General`s office. A congressional subcommittee looking at VA medical care later cited Shaller as one example of how "honest employees have had their jobs eliminated and their lives destroyed because they attempted to expose poor patient care." He has filed several lawsuits trying to get his job back, but has not been able to get a hearing on them. (from the Pittsburgh Post Gazette, October 29, 2003, page 62 of this PDF link)
Laura L. Raymo, B.S., Pharm.D., BCPS Laura is a former employee of both the VAMC in West Palm Beach, Florida and the Stratton VA Hospital in Albany, NY. She has served the veterans as a clinical pharmacist and a clinical pharmacy specialist in the areas of geriatrics, pain management, nutrition support, diabetes management and critical care. Despite an impeccable record of service, disclosures at the Stratton VA Hospital regarding gross mismanagement resulting in patient harm made to the Office of Special Counsel and top administrators led to a hostile work environment. Laura has since left government service and currently enjoys serving patients in the private sector.
Stephen Whitlock Smith, M.D. Under leadership of General Kevin Kiley while he was commander at Landstuhl, Germany, in 1995 and 1996, a cover-up of healthcare deficiencies and retaliation against doctors and nurses who reported these deficiencies occurred. Dr. Smith was General Kiley`s Chief of Emergency Medicine. Smith reported several life-threatening problems including ambulance deficiencies and unlawful orders by General Kiley`s subordinates not to treat medically unstable civilian patients. Smith`s allegations were later confirmed by the Department of Defense Inspector General report of 5 May, 2000. Two of General Kiley`s subordinates were ordered to receive written letters of reprimand; however, they escaped punishment. [Because of the significant press and complexity of this case, Dr. Smith has allowed access to his actual VAWBC application intake form, available at this link.]
Carla Rae Thieben, RN. Carla is a staff nurse at the Albuquerque, New Mexico VA Medical Center. She started her career as an Army-trained nurse. After helping victims of Hurricaine Katrina with a non-government healthcare provider, she returned to government service at the Albuquerque VA. Since her tour there, she has filed several “Reports of Contact” disclosing patient abuse and neglect. As a result of her disclosures, she has been harassed and threatened that her job is in jeopardy.