HOUSTON, TEXAS – An investigation has been launched at a hospital in Texas after a doctor was revealed to have secretly manipulated patient files. The manipulation of the files has made these patients ineligible to receive liver transplants.
A statement by the Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center, where the incidents have taken place, was released on April 11. The hospital has stated that one of their doctors has admitted to making changes to patient records that “effectively inactivated the candidates on the liver transplant waiting list.” The statement also states, “Subsequently, these patients were not able to receive organ donation offers while inactive.”
The investigation has identified the doctor as Dr. J. Steve. Bynon Jr., who was a surgeon at the University of Texas Health and Science Center in Houston. The doctor has had a contract to oversee liver and kidney transplants at Memorial Hermann since 2011. According to People Magazine, officials reportedly launched an investigation after noticing “irregularities” with donor acceptance criteria that were limited to the center’s liver transplant program. Records also show a disproportionate number of patients who have died at the center while waiting for a liver.”
In 2023, 14 patients either died or became too sick while waiting for a liver transplant at Memorial Hermann. A little over five patients in 2024 were taken off the waiting list for a liver transplant at the hospital. But a spokesperson for UTHealth Houston claims in a statement that Bynon, the doctor being accused in the incident, is “an exceptionally talented and caring physician and a pioneer in abdominal organ transplantation. Our faculty and staff members, including Dr.Bynon, are assisting with the inquiry into Memorial Hermann’s liver transplant program and are committed to addressing and resolving any finding identified by this process.”
Since the allegations started, Memorial Hermann has shut down both its liver and kidney transplant programs, as they are both run by Byon. The Memorial Hermann Hospital made a statement regarding the incident. They said, “Over the past two weeks, we have been actively working with all impacted patients, families, and caregivers from the liver and kidney transplant programs, following the difficult decision to voluntarily inactivate both programs. Our primary priority is ensuring the continuity of compassionate care for patients who were on the transplant program lists at the hospital. Each patient is being individually contacted by a transplant care coordinator to review ongoing care options, including a seamless transition to another transplant program, where necessary. We are working with the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston to make the necessary changes that will allow for the quick reactivation of the kidney transplant program under a different physician leadership structure. All transplant physicians are employed by the University of Health Science Center at Houston and contracted to Memorial Hermann to provide physician services. Our investigation is ongoing, and we continue to cooperate with all regulatory authorities.”
