What Henderson discovered an implanted screw that was grossly malpositioned, as well as plans by Duntsch to operate again on the patient for something unrelated to the symptoms she was exhibiting raised more red flags. The medical drama has been a big hit for Peacock, garnering praise for its taut portrayal of the medical industry safeguard failures and the doctors that fought to correct them. Get an all-access pass to never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more! In my opinion, we had a serial killer in our medical community, Dr. Randall Kirbysays of Christopher Duntsch in "Dr. Death: The Undoctored Story.". As seen in Dr. Death, Henderson went so far as to question whether Duntsch was an imposter, teaming up with Randall Kirby, a former colleague of Duntsch's at Baylor, in a bid to expose him. Like Henderson, Kirby resolved to strip Duntsch of his medical license, and his testimony helped seal an aggravated assault conviction. Duntsch, who declined KXANs multiple requests for an interview, was sentenced to life in prison on Feb. 20, 2017. Whether they had malpractice settlements? Most state medical boards across the country, including Texas, provide incomplete information about a physicians practicing history, according to a report released last month by the Patient Safety Action Network, a national advocacy group. We'll connect you with others who know the person you follow. When and where are tornadoes most common in Texas? Get all your true crime news from Oxygen. The prosecution argued that Duntsch's wounding of his patients was intentional and he had failed to learn from his past mistakes in early surgeries. A New Mexico doctor surrendered his license in 2019 while under investigation for drinking alcohol during a telemedicine group session for individuals in recovery. Henderson and Kirby, working in the same medical orbit, eventually realized they were both aware of Duntsch's catastrophic surgical complications. While many people are familiar with Duntsch's story from the Dr. It was then, according to ProPublica, that he started focusing on the medical field. "He had no remorse about bad results," Kirby told License to Kill. In February 2017, Duntsch, 50, was convicted of a first-degree felony for intentionally injuring an elderly victim. Would you want to know if your doctor has been disciplined and why? Summers tragically passed away in early 2021 following an infection connected to his botched surgery. next to their name to remove from the family tree. Sign up forOxygen Insiderfor all the best true crime content. He still found some success at first after moving to Dallas, Texas, where he started in a private practice focused on back pain and spinal issues before starting work as a surgeon in 2011 at Baylor Regional Medical Center in the city of Plano. The new steps are the TMBs effort to better meet that profile information requirement, a spokesperson later clarified. He had severed a major artery in her spine during a minor operation. His defence team argued that he was merely a bad surgeon, not a criminal. Vascular surgeon Randall Kirby first met Christopher Duntsch in the doctor's lounge at theBaylor-Plano Medical Center. Before being fired for failing to meet standards of care, Duntsch resigned. At the heart of the fertile land of Limagne and the pastures of the Massif Central, the Clermont-Auvergne-Rhne-Alpes Centre is one of the institute's historic sites, with cutting-edge research in key sectors of agriculture, environment and food: preventive human nutrition, cereals, product quality, territories, livestock farming, robotics applied to agriculture, tree functioning, etc. I just did what I thought was right," Henderson, And if you want to dive even deeper into the story, you can also watch the new docuseries. The Arkansas Medical Board reported he was a danger to the public and himself, and took actions against him for violations of the Medical Practice Act consisting of gross negligence and ignorant malpractice after he was accused of prescribing excessive amounts of controlled substances to himself, family and patients, as well as multiple violations for habitual, intemperate, or excessive use of narcotics and alcohol. That patient, Barry Morguloff, reports ProPublica, was left with bone fragments in his spinal canal and experienced constant pain and was temporarily confined to a wheelchair following the procedure. Adding to those complications is the fact that in Texas, any "non-economic" damages won in a malpractice suit are capped at $250,000. Death in a 2016 D Magazine article, Duntsch described himself in an email, read at trial, as someone ready to become a cold-blooded killer. He left more than 30 patients injured or dead while performing botched spinal surgeries before finally losing his Texas medical license in 2013. Click here to get breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases in the True Crime Newsletter. Paris, Paris County, le-de-France France. Erwin Center demolition to be completed in 2024, Amazon funding computer science education for students, Effects of maternal mortality on the family, Rethinking cultural competency in hospitals, APD: Car found in Lady Bird Lake overnight, Week starts with sunshine, ends with storms, Austin neighborhood has 3 house fires in nine months, Pitching, defense lead UT to series win over TCU, Anthropos Arts celebrates 25 years of free lessons, National Adopt a Shelter Pet Day: Where you can adopt, Austin snaps long goalless streak in 2-2 draw, Coburn, Ojomo, Johnson picked on last day of NFL, Austin officials sued over Statesman funding plan. "Dr. Death" is available to stream on Peacock now. Thereal Dr. Robert Henderson (Alec Baldwin) was first made aware of Duntsch's appalling surgery attempts after one of his patients, Mrs. Efurd, had had multiple misplaced holes drilled in her spine by Duntsch. He was sentenced to life in prison, where he remains to this day. Several of his patients at Baylor were maimed, suffering life-changing injuries. She worked with Dr Henderson and Dr Kirby to bring Duntsch to justice, talking to everyone from his life, both from after he became a doctor and from when he was still training to be one. Coverage of the latest true crime stories and famous cases explained, as well as the best TV shows, movies and podcasts in the genre. Joshua Jackson stars as Duntsch, now 50 and serving a life sentence after being convicted in 2017 of maiming one of his patients. Dr. Death Actors vs. Their Real-Life Characters - E! Online Doctor Played By Christian Slater In New Peacock Series Dr. Duntsch was not tried on criminal charges until 2015. (An exclusive clip is shown above.) By the end of his residency, he had finished less than 100 operations; the average neurosurgeon is expected to perform around 1,000 by the end, according to the outlet. I think their priorities are out of line, according to my experience with the [Texas] Medical Board during this Dr. Duntsch/Dr. Thats why I went into medicine, was to help people. One of those doctors was Randall Kirby, a vascular surgeon. We also encourage the public and the media to bring any profile issues to our attention just as you did.. when he died at the age of 46. To get information faster. We share yesterday, to build meaningful connections today, and preserve for tomorrow. Dr Death Cast & Character Guide: What The Real People Look Like Duntsch left Dallas Medial Center and suspicions began to be raised by staff members, particularly spine surgeon Robert Henderson, who had been called to carry out Efurd's second round of surgery. Unlike Baldwin, Slater takes on a more brash and quirky doctor role as Dr Kirby, though both work side by side to help reveal the truth about Duntsch's botched surgeries. The TMB says its honor-system approach is historically how the board has operated, adding it has always relied on physicians to self-report. By clicking Accept All Cookies, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. The surgery, to alleviate chronic back pain, was supposed to be a L5-S1 discectomy. "Dr. Death: The Undoctored Story" and the scripted drama "Dr. Death", starring Joshua Jackson, Alec Baldwin, and Christian Slater, are both available to stream on Peacock now. "He's a Dallas legend.". "I've wondered if he waschemically altered to the point where he became completely incompetent as a surgeon and as a physician. Check out never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more! 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She was later pronounced dead. in the family tree section to add relatives, or press the "X" But the failure of one hospital after another to notify a national practitioner databank or the state licensing board allowed Duntsch to continue working without any record of documented discipline that might have stopped him. Add family and friends whose lives he impacted. Hendersonwas called in to do an emergency re-operation on Mary Efurd, attempting to fix the damage done by Christopher Duntsch. Kirby had worked with Duntsch once and vowed never to do it again. The surgery was so bad, in fact, he . Long before he became a neurosurgeon, the young Christopher Duntsch had dreams of playing college football, but he didn't make the grade at two separate colleges. La Combe de la Selle, Saint-Christophe-en-Oisans, Grenoble, Isre, Auvergne-Rhne-Alpes, France : La Combe de la Selle produced some of the best prehnite specimens known. The real Dr. Robert Henderson (Alec Baldwin) was first made aware of Duntsch's appalling surgery attempts after one of his patients, Mrs. Efurd, had had multiple misplaced holes drilled in her spine by Duntsch. He first found employment as a practicing physician in Texas in 2011. Which areas of Texas are growing the fastest? An Arkansas doctors medical license was suspended four times, revoked for five years and he was required to participate in multiple substance abuse treatment programs. "Dr. Henderson is a fantastic spinal surgeon," Kirby told License to Kill. There is also a nod that Duntsch is the first doctor to be successfully convicted of aggravated assault, which serves as a chilling reminder ofthe human cost of his actions and the true story behind the Dr. Death series. Dr. Robert Henderson, a Dallas orthopedic surgeon, had heard the name of neurosurgeon Dr. Christopher Duntsch mentioned with alarm before their paths ever crossed. Those actions will include a note that it was not disclosed by the physician, but instead, by a third party like the Federation of State Medical Boards. However, his admission that they took cocaine the night before his surgery was a key factor in stripping Duntsch of his medical license. Santa Clarita Diet's Dominic Burgess plays Jerry Summers, a former patient and best friend of Dr Death's. Death podcast and Peacock scripted series, it's rare to get such an intimate look at the pain Duntsch left in his wake and for which he is now serving a life sentence in Texas prison. Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. 154.006). It's a show packed with jaw-dropping moments so what should fans know about the real Dr. Duntsch? He wasn't reported to the Texas Medical Board and he soon moved on to the Dallas Medical Center. Praised for her handling of an incredibly complex topic, her successful integration of Kirby and Henderson into the prosecution paved the way for the successful conviction of Duntsch. At the end of the Dr. He even left his friend Jerry Summers a quadriplegic after a botched operation. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. He went on to the University of Tennessee Health Science Center, completing the MD-Ph.D. and the neurosurgery residency programs. Grenoble, Isere County, Auvergne-Rhne-Alpes France. But if Duntsch came off as arrogant to Kirby early on, their next interaction would prove much worse. It will not be retroactive, at least for now. It isnt just a state problem, said Henderson, a highly-respected spinal surgeon in the industry who reported Duntsch to the Texas Medical Board and was instrumental in stopping him. (Courtesy Peacock) Duntsch, who declined KXAN's multiple requests for an interview, was. A search of the TMBs data portal for the doctors we identified found no record of disciplinary actions or criminal histories from other states. Andr Ren Roussimoff of Paris, Paris County, le-de-France France was born on May 19, 1946 in Grenoble, Isere County, Auvergne-Rhne-Alpes, and died at age 46 years old on January 27, 1993 in Paris, Paris County, le-de-France. That means its possible a physician could be disciplined in another state and the TMB would not know about it for two years. Two of his patients died; at least two others now need wheelchairs after losing mobility. He was a megalomaniac, says Henderson. In 2017, he was convicted of maiming Efurd and sentenced to life in prison, where he remains today. Baldwin, 63, plays a more mature character to his onscreen partner Christian Slaters zany one, with the two pairing up in quest to end Dr Deaths medical career and bring him to justice. Few states provide information on malpractice payouts, hospital adverse actions, criminal convictions and information from other states that patients would likely want to see to make informed healthcare decisions. Id call him a sociopath.. Photo: We want to believe we're in safe hands when we're with a doctor. Ive always fought for patients, Henderson said. 1 death record, 1 follower 398 favorites. AnnaSophia Robb plays Michelle Shughart, the fiery young prosecutor who put Duntsch behind bars. Filing a malpractice claim is already a daunting and overwhelming process, and the cap on non-economic damages presented affected patients with another constraint in seeking recourse. Friends can be as close as family. Robert Henderson was a veteran spinal surgeon in Dallas when he got an unusual phone call from a local hospital: a new surgeon had operated so poorly that a patient whod walked in on her own two feet now couldnt even wiggle her toes. Both Dr. Henderson and Dr. Kirby are still practicing physicians in the Dallas area. Absolutely, Dr. Robert Henderson replied. But unfortunately, sometimes doctors can be evil and twisted. Andr Ren Roussimoff lived How Other Doctors Tried and Failed to Stop Texas' 'Dr. Death' Director of Investigations & Innovation Josh Hinkle, Photojournalist Chris Nelson,Digital Special Projects Developer Robert Sims, Digital Director Kate Winkle and Graphic Artists Rachel Gale and Jeffrey Wright contributed to this report. Death: The Undoctored Story, saying,This was attempted murder.. Watch clips from the "Dr. Death" show above, starring Alec Baldwin as Dr. Robert Henderson. A Virginia anesthesiologist was disciplined in 2020 after failing to document his patients medical record and need for continuous respiratory monitoring once transferred out of his care. Clinton won 43.01% of the popular vote to Bush's 37.45%. So when the administrator of Hendersons hospital asked him to evaluate the post-op condition of a third Duntsch patient, my antennas were up, he says. 1 birth record, View Prosecutors began looking into the allegations against Duntsch, and in July 2015 charged him with five counts of aggravated assault and one count of injury to an elderly person related to Efurds surgery. But it wasn't enough. Death Series, Dr. Do you think what we found suggests there could be another Dr. Death all over again? KXAN investigator Matt Grant asked. He also completed a spine fellowship program despite participating in fewer than 100 surgeries over his four years of residency. residence at the University of Tennessee, managed to operate again and wreak more medical havoc, disturbing email he sent to his former assistant Kimberly Morgan. As far as, Does the [Texas] Medical Board go and review all, you know, 154,000 of our licensees to make sure that theyve disclosed everything thats come in? Thats something thats a little more time intensive that the medical board has not in the past done, Carlton said. It became apparent that this physician, Dr. Duntsch, had no business being involved in her care at all.". Christopher Duntsch was disorganized and undeliberate. I told them that he was bad news.. Create your free profile and get access to exclusive content. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. It is unclear after speaking with him why the public profiles for the physicians KXAN identified had not been updated. He has formed a group made up of several key players involved in the Dr. Death saga all still pushing for change and greater protection for patients. While Duntsch was fired this time, he managed to operate again and wreak more medical havoc until his license was finally suspended in summer 2013 and revoked for good in December of that year. In 1975, at the age of 29 years old, Andr was alive when on September 5th, Lynette "Squeaky" Fromme tried to assassinate President Ford in Sacramento, California. In my opinion, we had a serial killer in our medical community, he says in "Dr. Death: The Undoctored Story.". Where Are Dr. Randall Kirby and Robert Henderson Now? Dr Death's Missing one is unacceptable, Carlton said. We are always trying to find a way to do our jobs better, said the TMBs Executive Director Stephen Carlton in an interview by video conference. Patients, meanwhile, are kept in the dark. The closing scene of Dr. Death drives home that the series is based on real events, with an epilogue confirming Duntsh's incarceration and commemorating those that gave testimony to put the doctor behind bars. Dr. Randall Kirby and Dr. Robert Henderson were the two men who did everything in their power to take down Duntsch. I don't know. Critics also state that it is the best offering to date from Peacock, making Dr. Death a significant win for the fledgling streaming service. The doctor failed to properly assess the patient, did not detect the brain bleed and administered potentially harmful medication with a risk of worsening the patients condition, according to the Medical Board of California. Portrayed by Christian Slater as a comedic foil to SNL regular Alec Baldwin's stoic Dr. Henderson, the real Randall Kirby appears much more reserved. Ellis Unit in Huntsville and will be eligible for parole in 2045 when he is 74. Copyright 1999-2023 AncientFaces, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Why Peacock's Removal of Controversial WWE Content Is A Bad Move, Why Harrison Ford Replaced Alec Baldwin As Jack Ryan, Succession Season 4 Episode 6 Recap: 6 Biggest Story Reveals & WayStar Twists, Jeffrey Dean Morgan Plays The Perfect Supe In The Boys Season 4 Fan Art, Chicago Fire Season 11 Finale Story Details Are Bad News For Severide Comeback Hopes. What is the current COVID risk in your county? He beat incumbent George H.W. As a result of the surgery, a ligament in his leg was severed, and he still endures back pain, according to D Magazine. In 1965, he was 19 years old when on March 8th, the first US combat troops arrived in Vietnam. Andr Roussimoff was buried in Ellerbe, Richmond County, North Carolina United States. Even though Duntsch's poor surgical record was well known in the medical community,Kirby and Henderson found themselves hamstrung by a complicated process to revoke a physician's medical license. Link your TV provider to stream full episodes and live TV. It was Efurd's surgery that spurred Dr. Robert Henderson (Alec Baldwin in the Peacock series) to attempt to take action against Duntsch. Death saga.. The Biography section is collaborative, where we work together to present the facts. Prosecutor Michelle Shughart also presented to the court a 2011 email from Duntsch in which he wrote that he was "ready to leave the love and kindness and goodness and patience that I mix with everything else that I am and become a cold-blooded killer," according to CBS. It was an atrocity. "He explained to me that he was the best spine surgeon in Dallas," Dr. Kirby said in a 2019 episode of 'License To Kill.' Select "Add Memory" to share stories and photos. During the unprecedented trial, Dallas County Assistant District Attorney Michelle Shughart, who still holds that title, told a jury Duntsch didnt stop because he has no conscience. Henderson agrees, but also puts the microscope on a system he says too often prioritizes protecting physicians even dangerous ones over patients. Slater is also known for his roles in Mr. Glidewell was Duntsch's final surgery. The board, he said, is aware of the vast, vast majority of cases KXAN brought to its attention, noting it was only unaware of five or fewer. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. But during his residence at the University of Tennessee, cracks would show. Invite family and friends to share what they know about Andr Ren Roussimoff. The 43-year-old new dad, who welcomed his first child with wife Jodie Turner-Smith last year, brought his WB experience to portray the charming aspect of the surgeon, as the other characters often call him on the show. The average age of The attempt failed and 8 US servicemen were killed. As described in the Dr. Death series and podcast, neurosurgeons typically take part in more than 1,000 surgeries during their residency. It lies in a natural park and collecting is no longer allowed. He resigned after the deadly surgery. 5 brands that consistently make great Chromebooks, Surprise your mom with one of these Mothers Day, NFL players daughter drowns after falling in pool, Skydiver dies after parachute malfunction, Maternal mortality bill passes Texas House, Report: Texas only behind Nebraska in housing spending, TX Senate passes medical billing transparencybill, Sweeping bills on teacher pay, school funds pass. The 51-year-old recently starred in the USA true crime series, Dirty John, opposite Connie Britton.