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INNOCENCE LOST: A CHRONOLOGICAL LOOK AT THE MARION

VA'S WOES -- What started out as a significant but not

horrendous story has evolved into the latter.

Marion VA

For more about the troubles at the Marion VA, use the VA Watchdog search engine...click here... http://www.yourv
abenefits.org/sessearch.php?q=marion&op=and

Story here... http://www.thesouthern.com/articles/2007/11/12/local/22156005.txt

Story below:

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Innocence Lost: A chronological look at VA Medical Center woes

BY JOHN D. HOMAN
THE SOUTHERN

MARION - What started out as a significant but not horrendous story has evolved into the latter. The Southern was first to break the news on Sept. 7 that inpatient surgeries at the VA Medical Center in Marion had been suspended after an internal investigation.

Since that first story, much more has come to light. More than two months later, the VAMC remains under investigation by multiple sources. One former surgeon has lost his license to practice medicine in Illinois. The number of patient deaths is climbing as related to care administered by specific physicians.

Employees, past and present, are speaking out about other perceived atrocities from within the center.

Legislators, namely U.S. Sens. Dick Durbin and Barack Obama and their staffs, have devoted countless hours of research into queries and complaints lodged by constituents on a daily basis. There will be many more details to report in the weeks ahead.

Following is a chronological look at a series of events to date involving the VAMC:

l January 2006: January 2006: Dr. Jose Veizaga-Mendez was hired by Marion VAMC. Dr. Jose Veizaga-Mendez was hired by Marion VAMC.

l October 2006-March 2007: October 2006-March 2007: Suspicious spike in deaths at VA Medical Center in Marion is noted (nine deaths vs. expected average of two deaths for that period). Suspicious spike in deaths at VA Medical Center in Marion is noted (nine deaths vs. expected average of two deaths for that period).

l August 2007: August 2007: A patient of Veizaga-Mendez at Marion dies the day after a routine surgery. The patient's family files a notice of intent to sue for malpractice. A patient of Veizaga-Mendez at Marion dies the day after a routine surgery. The patient's family files a notice of intent to sue for malpractice.

l August 2007: August 2007: Veizaga-Mendez resigns from Marion. Veizaga-Mendez resigns from Marion.

l Aug. 10: Aug. 10: VA headquarters in Washington, D.C. receives information about the spike in deaths at Marion. VA headquarters in Washington, D.C. receives information about the spike in deaths at Marion.

l Aug. 29: Aug. 29: National Surgeon Quality Improvement Program investigation team sent to Marion. National Surgeon Quality Improvement Program investigation team sent to Marion.

l Aug. 31: Aug. 31: Inpatient surgeries at Marion VAMC suspended. Inpatient surgeries at Marion VAMC suspended.

l Sept. 4: Sept. 4: VA Medical Inspector team sent to Marion. VA Medical Inspector team sent to Marion.

l Sept.10: Sept.10: VA Inspector General Office notified of problems at Marion. It's requested that a team be sent to Marion. VA Inspector General Office notified of problems at Marion. It's requested that a team be sent to Marion.

l Sept. 14: Sept. 14: Marion VAMC hospital director and chief of staff reassigned. Peter McBrady named new acting director. Marion VAMC hospital director and chief of staff reassigned. Peter McBrady named new acting director.

l Sept. 17: Sept. 17: First Durbin/Obama letter sent to VA Secretary Nicholson expressing concern about the spike in deaths at Marion and requesting additional information. First Durbin/Obama letter sent to VA Secretary Nicholson expressing concern about the spike in deaths at Marion and requesting additional information.

l Sept. 24: Sept. 24: Second Durbin/Obama letter sent to Secretary Nicholson after learning of Dr. Veizaga-Mendez. Expressed concern about patient care provided by Veizaga-Mendez and about overall quality of care at the facility. Second Durbin/Obama letter sent to Secretary Nicholson after learning of Dr. Veizaga-Mendez. Expressed concern about patient care provided by Veizaga-Mendez and about overall quality of care at the facility.

l Oct. 3: Oct. 3: Meeting between Durbin and VA Undersecretary for Health, Michael Kussman and Deputy Undersecretary for Health, Gerald Cross. Meeting between Durbin and VA Undersecretary for Health, Michael Kussman and Deputy Undersecretary for Health, Gerald Cross.

l Oct. 4: Oct. 4: McBrady addresses the media, explaining hiring practice procedures. McBrady addresses the media, explaining hiring practice procedures.

l Oct. 10: Oct. 10: VAMC spokeswoman Rebecca Shinneman says 45 patients, who were scheduled for surgery at Marion, had been referred to other hospitals. VAMC spokeswoman Rebecca Shinneman says 45 patients, who were scheduled for surgery at Marion, had been referred to other hospitals.

l Oct. 11: Oct. 11: Third Durbin/Obama letter sent to Acting Secretary Mansfield asking for clarification on oversight and background checks performed on Veizaga-Mendez and throughout VA system. Third Durbin/Obama letter sent to Acting Secretary Mansfield asking for clarification on oversight and background checks performed on Veizaga-Mendez and throughout VA system.

l Oct. 12: Oct. 12: Congressman Jerry Costello reassures employees that they are not at risk of losing their jobs as the result of the investigation. Congressman Jerry Costello reassures employees that they are not at risk of losing their jobs as the result of the investigation.

l Oct. 15: Oct. 15: Response from VA received for first two letters. Response from VA received for first two letters.

l Oct. 15: Oct. 15: A number of current and former employees at Marion VAMC relay concerns and allegations of wrongdoing to new managers at Marion. A number of current and former employees at Marion VAMC relay concerns and allegations of wrongdoing to new managers at Marion.

l Oct. 16: Oct. 16: Durbin/Obama letter sent to Secretary Dean Martinez at Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation concerning the state investigation of Veizaga-Mendez. Durbin/Obama letter sent to Secretary Dean Martinez at Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation concerning the state investigation of Veizaga-Mendez.

l Oct. 17: Oct. 17: The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation in Chicago indefinitely suspends the license of Dr. Jose Veizaga-Mendez to practice medicine in the state. The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation in Chicago indefinitely suspends the license of Dr. Jose Veizaga-Mendez to practice medicine in the state.

l Oct. 17: Oct. 17: Jimmy McGlawn is named the new associate director of operations at Marion. Jimmy McGlawn is named the new associate director of operations at Marion.

l Oct. 18: Oct. 18: Fourth Durbin/Obama letter sent to VA Secretary asking for additional clarification in their response to the first two letters and questioning the overall quality of care at Marion. Fourth Durbin/Obama letter sent to VA Secretary asking for additional clarification in their response to the first two letters and questioning the overall quality of care at Marion.

l Oct. 18: Oct. 18: Durbin staff visits Marion. Operating room manager tells of her concern and action to report problems. She tells Durbin staff she is concerned about retribution. Durbin staff visits Marion. Operating room manager tells of her concern and action to report problems. She tells Durbin staff she is concerned about retribution.

l Oct. 24-31: Oct. 24-31: Three additional Marion VAMC staff interviewed. All tell of serious problems with management and quality of care at the hospital. All report concerns over retaliation if they come forward. Three additional Marion VAMC staff interviewed. All tell of serious problems with management and quality of care at the hospital. All report concerns over retaliation if they come forward.

l Oct. 25: Oct. 25: Meeting between Durbin and Acting VA Secretary Gordon Mansfield and Deputy Undersecretary for Health Gerald Cross. VA tells Durbin that no one had reported problems at Marion VAMC. Meeting between Durbin and Acting VA Secretary Gordon Mansfield and Deputy Undersecretary for Health Gerald Cross. VA tells Durbin that no one had reported problems at Marion VAMC.

l Nov. 1: Nov. 1: Three additional doctors at Marion have their privileges restricted. Names not yet released. Three additional doctors at Marion have their privileges restricted. Names not yet released.

l Nov. 2: Nov. 2: Durbin letter/conversation with VA Acting Secretary Mansfield requesting protection from retribution for Marion VAMC whistleblowers. Durbin letter/conversation with VA Acting Secretary Mansfield requesting protection from retribution for Marion VAMC whistleblowers.

l Nov. 2: Nov. 2: Feeling the concerns originally relayed on Oct. 15 were ignored by managers at Marion and following assurances that they were protected from retribution, group of former and current employees send letter to VA Inspector General and Senate offices alleging wrongdoing at Marion VAMC. Feeling the concerns originally relayed on Oct. 15 were ignored by managers at Marion and following assurances that they were protected from retribution, group of former and current employees send letter to VA Inspector General and Senate offices alleging wrongdoing at Marion VAMC.

l Nov. 6: A former patient of the Marion facility and two other VA officials testify before the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee in Washington, D.C. The hearing dealt with hiring practices and quality control issues at VA medical facilities, including Marion. Nov. 6: A former patient of the Marion facility and two other VA officials testify before the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee in Washington, D.C. The hearing dealt with hiring practices and quality control issues at VA medical facilities, including Marion.

l Nov. 6: It is announced that a third investigative team from the VA in Washington will travel to Marion within the next week in light of recent allegations made by hospital employees. Nov. 6: It is announced that a third investigative team from the VA in Washington will travel to Marion within the next week in light of recent allegations made by hospital employees.

l Nov. 9: Nov. 9: Durbin and Obama send a letter asking the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Medicine to confirm the doctor's role in seven cases under investigation in Massachusetts, two of which ended in deaths. Durbin and Obama send a letter asking the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Medicine to confirm the doctor's role in seven cases under investigation in Massachusetts, two of which ended in deaths.

john.homan@thesouthern.com
351-5805

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Larry Scott  --

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