Houston Surgeon Accused of Fabricating Records to Deny Patients Liver Transplants
A Houston surgeon stands accused of manipulating medical records, effectively blocking five patients from receiving critical liver transplants, as federal prosecutors revealed on Thursday.
Dr. John Stevenson Bynon Jr., who served as the director of abdominal organ transplantation at Memorial Hermann Health System, was indicted last month on five counts of making false statements related to healthcare. The grand jury's decision has raised significant concerns about patient safety and ethical medical practices.
Among the five patients mentioned in the indictment, three tragically passed away, while two others managed to secure liver transplants at alternative facilities. The implications of Bynon's alleged actions have left families devastated and questioning the integrity of their medical care.
Unbeknownst to patients and their families, Bynon reportedly altered medical records, a breach of trust that U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei described as a betrayal of the fundamental duty of a physician. "He stole years and hope from those who trusted him most," Ganjei stated, emphasizing the gravity of the situation.
In defense, Bynon's attorney, Samy Khalil, asserted that the surgeon is a highly skilled professional with over 2,000 successful transplants in his four-decade career. Khalil maintained that Bynon's actions were lawful and expressed confidence in vindicating his client in court. "We look forward to clearing his name," he remarked outside the courthouse.
Memorial Hermann Health System and UTHealth Houston, where Bynon is employed, have yet to comment on the ongoing situation. The indictment does not specify a motive for Bynon's alleged misconduct, leaving many questions unanswered.
Acting Special Agent in Charge Jason Hudson from the FBI's Houston Field Office highlighted the plight of vulnerable patients caught in this scandal. "Many patients remained ineligible for months without knowing they could not receive organ offers during that time," he noted, underscoring the dire consequences of the alleged record falsifications.
Following the initial allegations in April 2024, Memorial Hermann temporarily suspended its liver and kidney transplant program, only to reactivate it a year later. Meanwhile, families of deceased patients have initiated civil lawsuits against Bynon, seeking clarity on whether their loved ones were denied transplants due to his actions.
The indictment claims that Bynon altered patient records between March 2023 and March 2024. One patient reportedly went without a donor organ offer for about 149 days before dying in February 2024 under Bynon's care. Another patient was ineligible for approximately 69 days and died during surgery for a new liver in December 2023.
A third patient, who required urgent transplantation, died just two days after Bynon allegedly entered misleading donor matching criteria that rendered them functionally ineligible for a lifesaving organ offer.
In 2024, family members of affected patients expressed their anguish over the situation, revealing that falsified records led to their removal from waiting lists and deteriorating health conditions.
If found guilty, Bynon could face up to five years in federal prison and fines reaching $250,000 for each count. Furthermore, in February 2025, the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network designated Memorial Hermann as not in good standing due to serious lapses in patient safety and quality of care.
The unfolding case raises critical questions about accountability within the healthcare system and the protection of patients' rights amidst allegations of malpractice.
