Three former surgical services leaders at OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center in Rockford, Ill., have filed a whistleblower lawsuit alleging patient safety violations within the hospital’s neurosurgery service line and retaliation for reporting concerns, according to a June 23 report by CBS affiliate WIFR.
The lawsuit was filed by former operating room managers Sofia Gudino and Cindamon Proffitt and former director of surgical services Tina Peppers under the Illinois Whistleblower Act. The plaintiffs allege they reported safety concerns involving neurosurgeons between late 2023 and 2025 through incident reports, the hospital’s Integrity Line and communications with hospital leaders.
According to the complaint, the reported concerns included patients allegedly being left unattended while under anesthesia, breaches of sterile technique, incomplete surgical counts, use of unapproved medical equipment and intimidation of staff who questioned practices. The lawsuit also alleges that hospital leaders failed to investigate the reports or take corrective action.
The plaintiffs claim they faced retaliation after raising concerns, including exclusion from meetings, punitive assignments and harassment. They allege the work environment became so hostile that they were effectively forced to resign in April and May 2025. The plaintiffs are seeking back pay, lost wages, compensatory damages, attorney fees and other relief, according to the complaint.
OSF tells Becker’s “no comment to offer at this time” regarding the lawsuit.
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