Three former surgical-services leaders at an Illinois hospital claim in a whistleblower lawsuit that a neurosurgeon fell asleep during an operation, patients were left under anesthesia on operating room tables without a surgeon in the room, and hospital officials punished staff members who reported the alleged incidents.
The 18-page complaint, filed in Winnebago County Circuit Court, names OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center in Rockford, Illinois, and alleges the hospital failed to act on repeated patient-safety concerns tied to its neurosurgery service line. Instead, the plaintiffs say, administrators retaliated against employees who spoke up.
The lawsuit was brought by Sofia Gudino, Tina Peppers and Cindamon Proffitt, who the complaint says held leadership roles overseeing operating room safety, regulatory compliance and surgical operations.
According to the filing, the women began learning in late 2023 of what they describe as “repeated and dangerous safety violations” involving neurosurgical procedures. One of the central allegations involves a Feb. 3, 2025, incident in which two neurosurgeons allegedly left a patient anesthetized on an operating room table for about an hour.
Medical personnel work in an operating room. A whistleblower lawsuit filed against OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center alleges patient-safety violations within the hospital’s neurosurgery service line. (Getty Images)
The complaint also cites an April 17, 2025, incident in which a neurosurgeon allegedly left a different patient under anesthesia for roughly 37 minutes to attend a meeting. Another neurosurgeon also took part in that meeting, the lawsuit says, leaving “the patient under anesthesia with no surgeon present for a significant amount of time.”
Gudino, Peppers and Proffitt contend the alleged incidents exposed patients to unnecessary additional time under anesthesia and led to improper billing.
“The patients were fraudulently and unethically overcharged for OR time, as patients are charged by the minute during OR procedures,” the complaint states.
OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center in Rockford, Illinois. Three former surgical-services leaders filed a whistleblower lawsuit alleging retaliation after reporting patient-safety concerns. (Google Maps)
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The lawsuit also alleges that on Oct. 12, 2023, a neurosurgeon “was observed falling asleep against the surgical microscope by OR staff” during a procedure. According to the complaint, Peppers warned the hospital’s chief medical officer before the operation that proceeding would be dangerous because the surgeon had worked late the previous night and had already completed a full day of surgeries. Nevertheless, the complaint alleges, the surgery was allowed to proceed.
“Despite repeated reports, no investigations were initiated, no corrective actions taken, and the unsafe behavior continued,” the lawsuit states.
The complaint also alleges failures to complete surgical counts, breaches of sterile technique, hostile and erratic behavior by neurosurgeons, use of unapproved medical equipment and intimidation of nurses who questioned unsafe practices.
Surgical instruments are displayed on a tray in an operating room. Former surgical-services leaders allege in a lawsuit that repeated patient-safety concerns were ignored by hospital administrators. (Getty Images)
Gudino, Peppers and Proffitt claim they repeatedly reported concerns through Midas incident reports, OSF’s Integrity Line, human resources personnel, quality and safety officials and senior executives.
The complaint alleges the reports included concerns that surgeons refused proper timeouts and debriefings, directed staff to skip or falsify checklists and engaged in inappropriate conduct toward operating-room staff.
Rather than addressing the concerns, the plaintiffs allege they were warned to stop filing reports, excluded from meetings, stripped of authority and assigned additional neurosurgery-related duties.
The lawsuit claims they were subjected to verbal hostility, intimidation and humiliation and that supportive employees “were warned to stay silent.”
The complaint further alleges hospital leaders were more concerned about retaining surgeons than addressing complaints. According to the filing, Regional CEO August J. Querciagrossa told one plaintiff, “We cannot afford to lose any surgeon.”
All three plaintiffs ultimately resigned in 2025. The lawsuit alleges their departures amounted to constructive discharge because the work environment had become intolerably hostile after they reported patient-safety concerns.
The case does not involve claims brought by patients. Instead, it alleges violations of the Illinois Whistleblower Act and seeks damages for retaliation against employees who reported what they believed were threats to patient safety.
OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center declined to comment on the matter when reached by News Agency.
The allegations in the lawsuit have not been proven in court, and OSF will have an opportunity to respond to the claims.
