Unveiling Arizona’s Health Care Secrets: The Risks Behind Deadly Decisions

TUCSON, Ariz. — A Tucson surgeon’s wrongful death verdict is raising alarm about healthcare transparency in Arizona. Dr. Jeffery Monash, who has admitted to struggling with "surgeon burnout," had at least 13 patients die under his care over six years. Five of these deaths occurred in just six months, leading many to question how healthcare providers are monitored and what patients can learn about their doctors.

Dr. Monash claims he wasn’t responsible for most of the deaths, asserting he has done nothing wrong. This situation highlights a major issue: the Arizona Medical Board, which is supposed to oversee physicians, often relies on patient complaints to investigate doctors. Dr. Barry Weiss, a former board member, explained, “The board can’t act unless they hear about it.”

In 2020, attorneys Michael McNamara and Amy Hernandez filed complaints after two of Dr. Monash’s patients died. They cited long-standing concerns about Monash’s mental health, including issues related to drug use and insomnia. Disturbingly, more than five years later, McNamara’s complaint remains open without resolution. “That puts the public at risk,” Weiss warned.

Earlier this year, the Medical Board reprimanded Dr. Monash for providing substandard care, but he is appealing, meaning the details of this case won’t be public for now. This lack of visibility raises further questions: How can patients protect themselves if they don’t know about a doctor’s past?

Complaints against Dr. Monash are not made public unless there’s formal discipline. There have been five other prior complaints against him that were dismissed, which compounds concerns about the board’s transparency. Hernandez expressed frustration, saying, “If their duty is to protect the public, why would they dismiss a case where the physician admitted negligence?”

The current system relies heavily on self-reporting for issues like substance abuse, but as Hernandez remarked, “That goes against human nature.” Dr. Weiss added that other medical professionals are also responsible for reporting questionable behavior.

Statistics show that in 2019, Arizona had about 25,000 licensed doctors yet only received around 1,200 complaints, indicating that many problem cases might slip through the cracks. Dr. Weiss emphasized the importance of peer reviews, noting, “If something keeps coming up in peer reviews, that’s a red flag.”

Dr. Monash resigned in 2020 after three more patient deaths, citing burnout as the reason. Yet, his resignation and the conditions surrounding it weren’t disclosed by the Medical Board. This raises serious concerns about public trust.

The lack of accountability within the medical system makes it harder for patients to navigate their healthcare responsibly. The message from advocates is clear: Patients must be proactive and have someone to help watch out for their interests. With the current limitations in the system, awareness and vigilance are essential for patient safety.

For reliable information on healthcare practices and accountability, check the Arizona Medical Board.

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