Greg Abbott Defends Sociopathic Surgeon Over Victims of Botched Spinal Surgeries

[TexasTowelie]

When victims of a sociopathic surgeon sued a hospital over botched surgeries that left patients dead and maimed, they got no help from Greg Abbott.

Instead, Greg Abbott used his AG's office to help the hospital avoid the suits, and was rewarded with a $350,000 donation from the hospital's board chairman.

A piece published in the Dallas Morning News today details Abbott's three interventions on behalf of the Baylor Regional Medical Center in Plano in their attempts to defend Dr. Christopher Duntsch. Duntsch lost his license after multiple accusations of malpractice that left his patients injured, and in some cases irreparably maimed or dead.

The Dallas Morning News explains that Abbott received substantial donations from Drayton McLane, chairman of the hospital's board and a long-time Republican donor, just not really to Abbott. Per the story:

Abbott received $100,000 from McLane in June 2013 and another $250,000 in January. The donations coincide with Abbott stepping up his fundraising as his campaign for governor developed. But before these contributions, McLane's biggest donation to Abbott was $25,000, according to state records.

The $100,000 donation came a day after the Texas Medical Board suspended the license of Dr. Christopher Duntsch, who left Baylor Plano in 2012 after a series of problem surgeries. The second donation was reported a week after the second of several medical malpractice lawsuits was filed against the doctor and hospital.

More at http://www.burntorangereport.com/diary/15524/greg-abbott-defends-sociopathic-surgeon-over-victims-of-botched-spinal-surgeries .

[font color=green]There were allegations that Dr. Duntsch was operating on patients while he was under the influence of alcohol or other drugs:[/font]

While at Baylor Plano, Duntsch was accused of maiming several patients and causing the death of another. One patient — his roommate and closest friend — claimed that Duntsch operated on him after a night of using cocaine, which Duntsch denied. The roommate emerged from the surgery a quadriplegic.

http://www.dallasnews.com/investigations/20140301-planos-baylor-hospital-faces-hard-questions-after-claims-against-former-neurosurgeon.ece

Related Thread:
Dr. Christopher Duntsch, Plano Surgeon Suspended for Killing Patients, Gets Sued for Malpractice
http://www.democraticunderground.com/107810121 (June 28, 2013)

Another story about Dr. Duntsch in the Texas Observer:
http://www.texasobserver.org/anatomy-tragedy/

[Ilsa]

1. Thanks for the thorough thread, TxTow!

I hope Wendy Davis will broadcast this far and wide.