Hospital leaders say the surgeon fell asleep during the operation before the whistleblower collapsed

Three former surgical leaders at an Illinois hospital allege that a surgeon fell asleep during surgery, patients were left in operating rooms without surgeons and hospital administrators retaliated against employees who reported the incidents.

The 18-page lawsuit, filed in Winnebago County District Court, accuses OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center in Rockford, Illinois, of ignoring repeated patient safety complaints involving the hospital's neurosurgery services line and instead targeting staff who raised concerns.

According to the complaint, Sofia Gudino, Tina Peppers and Cindamon Proffitt held leadership positions responsible for operating room safety, compliance and surgery.

The lawsuit alleges that beginning in late 2023, the plaintiffs noticed “repeated and dangerous security breaches” involving cases of nerve surgery. Among the most serious allegations, the complaint states that on February 3, 2025, two neurosurgeons left a patient under anesthesia on the operating room table for approximately one hour.

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It also states that on April 17, 2025, a surgeon left another patient under anesthesia for approximately 37 minutes to attend a meeting while another surgeon was also participating, leaving “the patient under anesthesia with no surgeon present for most of the time.”

Gudino, Peppers and Profitt suspect those incidents resulted from prolonged exposure to anesthetics and improper billing practices.

According to the complaint, “Patients were illegally and unfairly overcharged for OR time, as patients are billed by the minute during OR procedures.”

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OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center in Rockford, Illinois. Three former surgical leaders filed a retaliation lawsuit after reporting patient safety issues. (Google Maps)

The case also says that on Oct. 12, 2023, the surgeon was “observed lying in front of the surgical microscope by OR staff” during the procedure. According to the complaint, Peppers warned the hospital's chief executive before the operation that his procedure would be dangerous because the surgeon had worked late at night and had spent the entire day operating. Nevertheless, the complaint states, the operation was allowed to proceed.

“Despite repeated reports, no investigation was initiated, no corrective action was taken, and the unsafe behavior continued,” the lawsuit said.

The complaint also alleges failure to complete surgical calculations, violations of sterile procedures, hostile and ambiguous behavior of surgeons, use of unapproved medical devices and intimidation of nurses who questioned unsafe practices.

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Surgical instruments are displayed on a tray in the operating room. Former surgical center leaders said in court that patient safety concerns were ignored by hospital management. (Getty Images)

Gudino, Peppers and Profitt said they repeatedly raised concerns about reports of the Midas incident, OSF's Integrity Line, human resources staff, quality and safety officials and senior officials.

The complaint says the reports include concerns that surgeons refuse appropriate appointments and interviews, instruct staff to skip or falsify checklists and misbehave with operating room staff.

Instead of addressing the concerns, the plaintiffs say they were warned to stop filing reports, excluded from meetings, stripped of their authority and given additional duties related to neurosurgery.

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The lawsuit alleges that they were verbally abused, threatened and humiliated and that support staff were “warned to remain silent.”

The complaint goes on to say that hospital leaders are more concerned about retaining surgeons than dealing with complaints. According to the filing, District CEO August J. Querciagrossa told the plaintiff, “We can't afford to lose any surgeons.”

All three plaintiffs eventually resigned in 2025. The lawsuit alleges that their departure amounted to constructive discharge because the workplace became unbearably hostile after they reported patient safety concerns.

The case does not include claims brought by patients. Instead, it alleges violations of the Illinois Whistleblower Act and seeks damages in retaliation against employees who reported what they believed to be threats to patient safety.

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OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center declined to comment on the matter when reached by Fox News Digital.

The allegations in the lawsuit have not been proven in court, and OSF will have an opportunity to respond to the claims.