/ Founder and Executive Director of VAWBCFounder - President: Jeffrey Fudin, B.S., Pharm.D., DAAPM / Founder and Executive Director of VAWBC
Dr. Jeffrey Fudin is a two time graduate from Albany College of Pharmacy/Union University, where he received his Bachelor`s and Doctor of Pharmacy degrees. He completed an American Cancer Society Fellowship in Oncology/Hematology at SUNY Upstate Medical Center. He is a board-certified Diplomate to the American Academy of Pain Management, and a member of several other professional organizations. Aside from his expertise in pain management, Dr. Fudin has been nationally recognized as a federal whistleblower, activities for which he has received extensive national attention. Details may be viewed at http://www.vawhistleblower.com/.
Dr. Fudin challenged the Department of Veterans Affairs in federal court for retaliation specific to his whistleblowing activities after he disclosed cancer research violations beginning as early as 1993. He also disclosed several other activities at the Stratton VA Medical Center, including abuse of power, retaliation for whistleblowing, embezzlement of research money, and more. Immediatley after reporting cancer research violations including patient harm and deaths to the Stratton VA Administration, Fudin became the target of retaliation and was accused himself of patient abuse. Stratton VA Officials hired Regional Pharmacy Manager Wesley Robbins, who Fudin believes was hired specifically to harass and terminate him and his previous Pharmacy Manager (for supporting Fudin`s professional obligation to report wrongdoing). Dr. Fudin continued to report patient harm and other illegal activities to 4 different VA-Inspector Generals, the FBI (twice), and other investigative agencies. The Inspector General shared information with the Stratton VA Administration and convinced the FBI not to investigate by fabricating a story that Fudin was illegally writing prescriptions for controlled substances. After the VA levied these allegations, they engaged the DEA, U.S. Attorney's Office, New York State Board of Pharmacy, and the New York Bureau of Controlled Substances, to sanction Dr. Fudin. None of these agencies found Fudin to be at fault. After a host of more retaliatory activities against Fudin, he was eventually fired even though no alleged misconduct was ever validated. Fudin brought his case to the Office of Special Counsel (OSC) on four separate occasions, his case was denied by the Merit System Protection Board (MSPB) after being placed on suspension without pay for one week, and eventually he was fired. Upon termination, he was finally allowed to be heard in MSPB hearings, prevailed, and returned to work at the Stratton VA. He has a pending case filed with OSC against current Pharmacy Manager Kerry Johnston and Hospital Director Mary-Ellen Piche` for whistleblower retaliation.
Political Strategist: Lewis R. Baxter, Jr., M.D.
Lew Baxter is a native of North Florida. He graduated from Yale College in 1974, then from the University of Florida College of Medicine in 1978. He did his post-doctoral training in psychiatry, pharmacology, neuroscience and nuclear medicine at UCLA, where he became Professor of Psychiatry and Pharmacology in 1992. Before returning to Florida in 2002, he was the Kathy Ireland Professor of Psychiatric Research, and Professor of Neuroscience and Psychology at the University of Alabama School of Medicine (1995-2002). Dr. Baxter’s widely published clinical and basic science peer-reviewed research focuses on obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), Tourette's syndrome and major depression. These are common, severe illnesses that afflict millions of Americans; as a group such mood and anxiety disorders are documented to be the leading cause of disability in the USA. Dr Baxter is a Fellow of the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology, and Chairman of the National Foundation for Mental Health, based in Washington, D.C.
Although 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.
Executive Advisor: Anthony Mariano
Tony Mariano, 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.
Senior Advisor: 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.
Federal Agency Development: 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.