Neurosurgeon John Henry Schneider started work in April at the Department of Veterans Affairs hospital in Iowa City. Patients and staff were probably just getting to know him when a USA Today investigation provided a crash course on his history.

Schneider racked up more than a dozen malpractice claims and settlements in two states, including cases alleging he made surgical mistakes that left patients maimed, paralyzed or dead.

He was accused of leaving a patient incontinent after placing spinal screws incorrectly. He allegedly left another paralyzed after improperly placing a device in his spinal canal. The state of Wyoming revoked Schneider’s medical license after another surgical patient died.

So he applied for a job in Iowa.

He was honest about his troubles with the hospital serving 184,000 veterans in 50 counties in Iowa, Illinois and Missouri. The response from the VA: “You’re hired.”…

 

Source: Troubled Iowa doctor’s case shows: VA needs major surgery