A shocking revelation has rocked the medical community in Montana, leaving a trail of controversy and unanswered questions. The medical license of Dr. Thomas C. Weiner, an oncologist, has been permanently revoked, marking a tragic end to his practice in the state.
But here's where it gets controversial: Weiner's downfall began with a series of suspicious deaths at St. Peter's Health, the sole major hospital serving Helena, the state capital. ProPublica's 2024 investigation exposed a dark side to Weiner's practice, revealing a pattern of malpractice that allegedly led to the deaths of several patients.
The medical board's decision to revoke Weiner's license was based on seven cases of malpractice. They concluded that Weiner had violated professional conduct rules and provided substandard care. This decision was made over a year after ProPublica's exposé, which detailed how Weiner subjected non-cancer patients to chemotherapy and other dangerous treatments, neglected seriously ill patients, and overprescribed addictive narcotics.
Weiner, now 62, has consistently denied any wrongdoing. Despite the mounting evidence, he chose not to respond to the board's decision to revoke his license. St. Peter's Health, which fired Weiner in 2020, also remained silent on the matter.
The hospital's previous stance was that any mistreatment of patients was the work of a rogue doctor, and they maintained that their overall care was of high quality. However, Weiner's termination sparked a public outcry, with his nursing staff and former patients leading the charge in his defense. Many continue to support him, believing he was a victim of an unfair campaign by the hospital and the media.
ProPublica's investigation identified numerous problematic cases, but the medical board focused on just seven. One such case was that of Scot Warwick, whose death and autopsy became a pivotal moment in Weiner's downfall.
As reported by ProPublica, Weiner diagnosed Warwick with Stage 4 lung cancer in 2009, a diagnosis that typically results in death within months. For the next 11 years, Weiner subjected Warwick to relentless rounds of chemotherapy and other debilitating therapies. In 2020, Warwick's health rapidly deteriorated, catching the attention of Dr. Randy Sasich, a former colleague of Weiner's at St. Peter's. Sasich questioned the original diagnosis and the improbability of Warwick's survival.
Before Sasich could find answers, Warwick passed away in agony. His widow, Lisa Warwick, ordered an autopsy, which came back negative for cancer. The autopsy concluded that Warwick likely died from the chemotherapy ordered by Weiner, a finding that Weiner has consistently dismissed.
The medical board confirmed the autopsy's findings, concluding that Warwick's death was due to pulmonary toxicity caused by the chemotherapy drug gemcitabine. The board's written order noted that Weiner disagreed with this finding and did not admit to it.
Lisa Warwick responded to the board's decision, saying, "It's definitely welcomed news, but it's taken way too long." She added that the medical board, which is supposed to protect patients, "blatantly turned a blind eye" for five years.
According to a hospital spokesperson, after Weiner's termination, St. Peter's provided the medical board with thousands of pages of documents detailing their allegations against Weiner. These documents, which included information about Weiner's complete control over patient care, making it difficult for other doctors to question his treatment, were left unreviewed by the board for years.
Despite these allegations, the board renewed Weiner's license in 2021 and 2023. It was only after ProPublica's investigation brought the hospital's allegations into the public eye that the board finally took action, revoking Weiner's license.
Weiner's troubles don't end with the loss of his license. Last year, the U.S. Department of Justice sued him, accusing him of various fraudulent practices, including prescribing needless treatments, double billing, and "upcoding" - billing for more expensive treatments than he actually delivered. Weiner has denied these charges.
St. Peter's Health, meanwhile, has agreed to a $10.8 million settlement for numerous violations of the False Claims Act related to Weiner's billing of federal insurance programs. Additionally, the parents of a deceased 16-year-old girl, whose case was featured in the ProPublica investigation, have filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Weiner, the hospital, and other staff, alleging substandard care and fraud.
A criminal investigation is also underway, led by the Montana Department of Justice with assistance from federal investigators. This investigation is ongoing, and Weiner has not provided any comment on it.
Weiner's departure from Helena this year has left the city deeply divided. While some still believe in his innocence, others are relieved that his license has been revoked, hoping it will prevent further harm.
Anthony Olson, a former patient who was prescribed nine years of chemotherapy for a non-existent cancer, was once among Weiner's supporters. However, after doctors at St. Peter's helped him understand what had happened, he realized the extent of the poisoning his body had endured. He considers sharing his story with the Weiner Facebook group but doubts it will change their minds. He said, "I'm just glad that no one else will be injured."
This story raises important questions about the role of medical boards, the responsibility of hospitals, and the impact of media investigations. It also highlights the power dynamics within the medical community and the potential consequences when those in power abuse their influence. What are your thoughts on this controversial case? Feel free to share your opinions in the comments below.
