“Uncovering Medical Malpractice: The Shocking Truth About Dr. Thomas C. Weiner”
In a shocking revelation, it has come to light that the Montana medical licensing board had evidence since at least April 2021 that Dr. Thomas C. Weiner, a prominent Helena oncologist, may have caused harm and even death to patients under his care. Despite this knowledge, the board renewed Weiner’s medical license not once, but twice.
Weiner, who previously directed the cancer center at St. Peter’s Health for 24 years, was fired in 2020 amidst allegations of overprescribing narcotics, administering chemotherapy to patients without cancer, and providing substandard care. A ProPublica investigation in December uncovered a trail of patient harm and suspicious deaths linked to Weiner, with records indicating that the medical board had access to this information for nearly four years.
The Board of Medical Examiners renewed Weiner’s medical license in March 2023, allowing him to continue treating patients and prescribing drugs. Despite receiving records from the hospital that criticized Weiner’s care practices, the inquiry into his actions stalled at the staff level, raising questions about why the case was not escalated to the board members appointed by the governor.
Several patients, including Scot Warwick and Anthony Olson, received inappropriate treatments from Weiner, leading to severe health complications. In the case of Nadine Long, a 16-year-old girl who passed away in 2015 after receiving a powerful sedative injection ordered by Weiner, questions have been raised about the oncologist’s practices.
Complaints against Weiner have been filed, with at least one pending for three years before being dismissed in December. Marilyn Ketchum, whose husband died while under Weiner’s care, raised concerns about the oncologist altering her husband’s code status without permission, leading to his untimely death.
Weiner, who is currently not treating patients due to malpractice insurance issues, is under criminal investigation by the Montana Department of Justice. Last year, the U.S. Department of Justice sued Weiner and the hospital for alleged fraud, with the hospital settling for $10.8 million. Weiner has denied the allegations and petitioned the court to dismiss the case.
Despite Weiner’s firing and the Montana Supreme Court ruling in favor of the hospital’s actions against him, supporters in Helena continue to defend him, even funding billboards proclaiming their support. St. Peter’s employees are working to regain trust in the community amidst the backlash from Weiner’s supporters.
The situation has raised serious concerns about the oversight and accountability of medical professionals in Montana, with calls for transparency and justice for the patients who suffered under Weiner’s care. The case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of robust regulatory mechanisms to protect patients from potential harm.