Rockford Hospital Under Scrutiny After Former Surgical Leaders File Explosive Patient Safety Lawsuit

 A whistleblower lawsuit filed against OSF HealthCare’s OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center is drawing intense attention after three former surgical leaders alleged that repeated warnings about serious patient safety concerns inside the hospital’s neurosurgery program were ignored for years. The allegations, though unproven in court, paint a troubling picture of internal conflict between frontline medical staff and hospital leadership, raising difficult questions about oversight, accountability, and the systems designed to protect patients during some of the most delicate surgical procedures.

The lawsuit was filed in Winnebago County by former operating room leaders Sofia Gudino, Tina Peppers, and Cindamon Proffitt, all of whom reportedly held positions tied directly to operating room safety, compliance, and surgical operations. According to the complaint, these women were not casual observers but experienced professionals responsible for ensuring protocols were followed. They claim concerns were raised repeatedly through multiple official channels, including internal incident reporting systems, the hospital’s Integrity Line, human resources, quality and safety departments, and senior administrators, yet meaningful action never came.

At the heart of the complaint are allegations involving neurosurgical procedures where patients were allegedly left under general anesthesia for extended periods without a surgeon present in the operating room. One of the most serious claims centers on a February 2025 incident in which two neurosurgeons allegedly left a patient anesthetized on the operating table for roughly an hour while neither physician remained present. The lawsuit argues that such delays unnecessarily prolonged anesthesia exposure, potentially increasing medical risk during a highly vulnerable stage of care.

Another incident described in the filing involves an April 2025 surgery in which one neurosurgeon allegedly left an operation for a meeting while another also exited, leaving no surgeon in the room for more than half an hour. For healthcare professionals and patients alike, that allegation stands out because surgical environments rely heavily on continuous oversight, rapid decision-making, and immediate response to complications. Even short gaps in critical supervision can raise concerns when patients are under anesthesia and unable to protect themselves.

The complaint goes beyond those individual incidents. Plaintiffs also allege broader patterns of unsafe conduct, including incomplete surgical counts, lapses in sterile technique, use of equipment that had not been approved, and behavior that allegedly created a culture of intimidation. According to the lawsuit, nurses and staff who questioned decisions or raised safety concerns were met with hostility, making some employees fearful of speaking openly. Such allegations suggest the issue may have involved not just isolated mistakes, but workplace culture and leadership response.

One particularly alarming claim dates back to October 2023, when staff allegedly observed a neurosurgeon falling asleep during a procedure while leaning against a surgical microscope. According to the lawsuit, warnings had been raised before the operation regarding physician fatigue after a demanding schedule. Despite those concerns, the surgery reportedly moved forward. Fatigue in healthcare has long been a major topic of concern nationwide, especially in high-stakes specialties where concentration and precision are essential to patient outcomes.

The plaintiffs argue that the hospital prioritized efficiency, scheduling demands, and financial performance over safety. They further claim that extended anesthesia time not only increased risk for patients but also generated additional operating room charges, since such costs are often billed by time. If proven, that allegation could intensify public concern because it suggests financial incentives may have intersected with medical decision-making. The former employees say retaliation followed after repeated efforts to escalate concerns internally.

It is critical to emphasize that these claims remain allegations from a civil lawsuit and have not been proven in court. No judge or jury has ruled on the accusations, and no criminal charges have been filed against the hospital or any physicians named in the complaint. Still, the lawsuit has already sparked conversation among current and former healthcare workers, especially those familiar with hospital culture and reporting systems. With Illinois whistleblower protections now central to the case, many will be watching closely to see whether the legal process uncovers systemic failures or clears those accused.