A shocking revelation has rocked the medical community in Montana, leaving a trail of controversy and unanswered questions. The medical license of Dr. Thomas C. Weiner, an oncologist, has been permanently revoked, marking a tragic end to his practice in the state.
But here's where it gets controversial: Dr. Weiner, once the highest-paid doctor at St. Peter's Health, stands accused of malpractice and questionable conduct that allegedly led to the deaths of multiple patients. The case has sparked a public outcry and divided the community.
Last week, the Montana Medical Board took a decisive step by revoking Weiner's license, citing seven instances of malpractice. The board's decision was based on a thorough investigation, revealing a pattern of professional misconduct and substandard care. By law, this action will now place Weiner on a federal database, severely limiting his ability to practice medicine.
This decision comes after a year-long investigation by ProPublica, which exposed Weiner's suspected involvement in patient harm and deaths at St. Peter's Health, the primary hospital serving Helena, the state capital. The report, backed by court and medical records, revealed a disturbing pattern: Weiner subjected non-cancer patients to chemotherapy and other dangerous treatments, neglected seriously ill patients, overprescribed addictive narcotics, and was suspected by colleagues of hastening the deaths of over half a dozen individuals.
Weiner, now 62, has vehemently denied any wrongdoing. He has not responded to requests for comment on the board's decision to revoke his license. St. Peter's Health, which fired Weiner in 2020 on malpractice charges, has also remained silent.
The controversy deepens with Weiner's legal battles. He sued St. Peter's for wrongful termination, a case the hospital won. Additionally, Weiner filed a defamation claim against Dr. Randy Sasich, a former colleague who raised concerns about his practice. Sasich remains a defendant in that lawsuit.
According to the Montana Board of Medical Examiners, Weiner has agreed to never seek a medical license in Montana again, stating he no longer intends to practice there. Before his termination, Weiner wielded significant influence in the community, earning tens of millions of dollars and driving out hospital leaders who questioned his judgment. His colleagues feared him, and few dared to challenge his decisions.
The ProPublica investigation uncovered numerous problematic cases, but the medical board focused on seven. One such case is that of Scot Warwick, whose death and autopsy became a turning point.
As reported by ProPublica, Weiner diagnosed Warwick with Stage 4 lung cancer in 2009, a diagnosis that typically results in death within months. For the next 11 years, Weiner subjected Warwick to relentless rounds of chemotherapy and other debilitating therapies. In 2020, Warwick's health rapidly deteriorated, catching the attention of Dr. Sasich, who questioned the original diagnosis and Warwick's improbable survival.
Before Sasich could find answers, Warwick died a painful death. His widow, Lisa Warwick, ordered an autopsy, which revealed no signs of cancer—a finding Weiner has consistently disputed. Instead, the autopsy concluded that Warwick likely died from the chemotherapy ordered by Weiner.
The medical board confirmed these findings, stating in its written order that Warwick's death was due to pulmonary toxicity caused by the chemotherapy drug gemcitabine. In other words, the treatment killed him.
The board noted that Weiner disagrees with this conclusion and does not admit to any wrongdoing.
Lisa Warwick responded to the board's decision, saying, "It's definitely a welcome relief, but it's taken far too long." She added that the board, tasked with patient protection, "blatantly turned a blind eye" for five years.
A hospital spokesperson revealed that after St. Peter's fired Weiner in 2020, they provided the medical board with thousands of pages of documents detailing their allegations against Weiner. These documents, which included claims that Weiner had complete control over patient care, making it difficult for other doctors to question his treatment, were left unreviewed by the board for years.
Despite these allegations, the board renewed Weiner's license in 2021 and 2023. It was only after ProPublica's investigation brought public attention to the hospital's allegations that the board finally took action, revoking his license this year.
Weiner's troubles extend beyond the loss of his license. Last year, the U.S. Department of Justice sued him, accusing him of unnecessary treatments, double billing, frequent patient visits, and "upcoding"—billing for more expensive treatments than provided. Weiner denies these charges. St. Peter's, meanwhile, has agreed to a $10.8 million settlement for violations of the False Claims Act related to Weiner's billing practices.
Additionally, the parents of a deceased 16-year-old girl, whose case was featured in the ProPublica investigation, have filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Weiner, the hospital, and other staff, alleging substandard care and fraud. Weiner denies that his treatment led to her death.
A criminal investigation is also underway, led by the Montana Department of Justice with federal assistance. Weiner has not commented on this ongoing investigation.
Weiner sold his home in Helena this year, leaving behind a divided city. Many still believe he was a renowned doctor unfairly targeted by the hospital and the media. Anthony Olson, a former patient who received nine years of unnecessary chemotherapy from Weiner, was one of Weiner's supporters until doctors at St. Peter's helped him understand the truth. Olson's body is still recovering from the long-term poisoning, and he considers sharing his story with the Weiner Facebook group, but he doubts it will change their minds.
This case raises important questions about medical ethics, patient safety, and the role of regulatory bodies. What are your thoughts on this controversial case? Feel free to share your opinions in the comments below!
