Whistleblower lawsuit says neurosurgeons left patients anesthetized and safety concerns ignored

Three former surgical-services leaders at an Illinois hospital allege in a whistleblower lawsuit that a neurosurgeon fell asleep during surgery, patients were left anesthetized on operating room tables without surgeons present and hospital administrators retaliated against employees who reported the incidents.

The 18-page lawsuit, filed in Winnebago County Circuit Court, accuses OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center in Rockford, Illinois, of ignoring repeated patient-safety complaints involving the hospital's neurosurgery service line and instead targeting employees who raised concerns.

According to the complaint, Sofia Gudino, Tina Peppers and Cindamon Proffitt held leadership positions responsible for operating-room safety, regulatory compliance and surgical operations.

The lawsuit alleges that beginning in late 2023, the plaintiffs became aware of "repeated and dangerous safety violations" involving neurosurgery cases. Among the most serious allegations, the complaint claims that on Feb. 3, 2025, two neurosurgeons left a patient under anesthesia on an operating room table for approximately one hour.

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It further alleges that on April 17, 2025, a neurosurgeon left another patient under anesthesia for approximately 37 minutes to attend a meeting while another neurosurgeon also participated, leaving "the patient under anesthesia with no surgeon present for a significant amount of time."

Gudino, Peppers and Proffitt allege those incidents resulted in prolonged anesthesia exposure and improper billing practices.

According to the complaint, "The patients were fraudulently and unethically overcharged for OR time, as patients are charged by the minute during OR procedures."

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The lawsuit also alleges that on Oct. 12, 2023, a neurosurgeon "was observed falling asleep against the surgical microscope by OR staff" during a procedure. According to the complaint, Peppers warned the hospital's chief medical officer before the operation that proceeding would be dangerous because the surgeon had worked late the previous night and had already completed a full day of surgeries. Nevertheless, the complaint alleges, the surgery was allowed to proceed.

"Despite repeated reports, no investigations were initiated, no corrective actions taken, and the unsafe behavior continued," the lawsuit states.

The complaint also alleges failures to complete surgical counts, breaches of sterile technique, hostile and erratic behavior by neurosurgeons, use of unapproved medical equipment and intimidation of nurses who questioned unsafe practices.

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Gudino, Peppers and Proffitt claim they repeatedly reported concerns through Midas incident reports, OSF's Integrity Line, human resources personnel, quality and safety officials and senior executives.

The complaint alleges the reports included concerns that surgeons refused proper timeouts and debriefings, directed staff to skip or falsify checklists and engaged in inappropriate conduct toward operating-room staff.

Rather than addressing the concerns, the plaintiffs allege they were warned to stop filing reports, excluded from meetings, stripped of authority and assigned additional neurosurgery-related duties.

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The lawsuit claims they were subjected to verbal hostility, intimidation and humiliation and that supportive employees "were warned to stay silent."

The complaint further alleges hospital leaders were more concerned about retaining surgeons than addressing complaints. According to the filing, Regional CEO August J. Querciagrossa told one plaintiff, "We cannot afford to lose any surgeon."

All three plaintiffs ultimately resigned in 2025. The lawsuit alleges their departures amounted to constructive discharge because the work environment had become intolerably hostile after they reported patient-safety concerns.

The case does not involve claims brought by patients. Instead, it alleges violations of the Illinois Whistleblower Act and seeks damages for retaliation against employees who reported what they believed were threats to patient safety.

OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center declined to comment on the matter when reached by Fox News Digital.

The allegations in the lawsuit have not been proven in court, and OSF will have an opportunity to respond to the claims.