Industry News | 01.21.26
UVA Health Executive Allegedly Pressured Child Cancer Doctor to Do Procedures Without Necessary Staff, Supplies
By NAMSS Staff
WTVR CBS 6 (01/12/26) Hipolit, Melissa
Detailed accounts from over 30 physicians at UVA Health about their collective concerns regarding the tenure of the former CEO of UVA Health, Dr. Craig Kent, are contained in a 2025 report recently obtained by the Jefferson Council via a public records request and published on their website. Kent started working for the health system in February 2020. He resigned after the results of an external review of UVA Health were presented to the Board of Visitors in February 2025. Among the most serious allegations involves Dr. Trey Lee, a pediatric oncologist recruited to UVA to continue his groundbreaking bone marrow treatment for children. Lee alleged that once Kent came aboard, he stopped providing the precise equipment and specially trained staffers needed for such extremely high-risk procedures. Furthermore, the report alleges Kent pressured Lee to proceed with procedures under circumstances Lee described as "tantamount to malpractice that could be deadly for child patients."
In addition, multiple doctors spoke out about the hiring of a new chief of cardiothoracic surgery, alleging the search committee unanimously recommended against hiring a particular doctor. Kent opted to hire that individual anyway. Dr. Angela Taylor, the lead quality officer for heart and vascular surgeries, eventually had to go to the credentials committee and detail more than a dozen specific cases in which the doctor was associated with patient endangerment, the report states. The committee voted to conduct an investigation, but the doctor in question negotiated her resignation, and the investigation was halted. A spokesperson for UVA Health has issued the following statement about the report: "UVA Health is aware of the materials produced by a third party not affiliated with UVA or UVA Health. Many of the executive leaders cited in the report are no longer employed by UVA Health. Given ongoing legal and personnel matters, UVA Health cannot further comment."
Read the full story from WTVR CBS 6.