In a startling whistleblower lawsuit, three former leaders in surgical services at an Illinois hospital have come forward with serious allegations. They claim that a neurosurgeon from OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center fell asleep during a procedure. Additionally, there are warnings of patients being left under anesthesia on operating tables without a surgeon present, with hospital administrators purportedly retaliating against those reporting such incidents.
This 18-page legal complaint, lodged in the Winnebago County Circuit Court, sharply criticizes OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center in Rockford, Illinois. It accuses the institution of neglecting repeated warnings about patient safety within their neurosurgery division and allegedly making targets of those employees who brought these concerns to light.
The individuals behind the lawsuit—Sofia Gudino, Tina Peppers, and Cindamon Proffitt—are described in the complaint as having held significant roles overseeing operating-room safety, regulatory adherence, and the broader surgical operations.
Crucially, the suit details that it was in late 2023 when these plaintiffs first identified a series of alarming and repeated safety infractions during neurosurgical procedures. Highlighting one of the most severe accusations, the complaint notes an incident on February 3, 2025, where two neurosurgeons allegedly left a patient anesthetized and unattended on an operating table for around an hour.
In this lawsuit against OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center, grave concerns about patient-safety standards within the hospital’s neurosurgery section are highlighted, prompting a closer look at practices within the facility. (Getty Images)
It further alleges that on April 17, 2025, a neurosurgeon left another patient under anesthesia for approximately 37 minutes to attend a meeting while another neurosurgeon also participated, leaving “the patient under anesthesia with no surgeon present for a significant amount of time.”
Gudino, Peppers and Proffitt allege those incidents resulted in prolonged anesthesia exposure and improper billing practices.
According to the complaint, “The patients were fraudulently and unethically overcharged for OR time, as patients are charged by the minute during OR procedures.”
OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center in Rockford, Illinois. Three former surgical-services leaders filed a whistleblower lawsuit alleging retaliation after reporting patient-safety concerns. (Google Maps)
The lawsuit also alleges that on Oct. 12, 2023, a neurosurgeon “was observed falling asleep against the surgical microscope by OR staff” during a procedure. According to the complaint, Peppers warned the hospital’s chief medical officer before the operation that proceeding would be dangerous because the surgeon had worked late the previous night and had already completed a full day of surgeries. Nevertheless, the complaint alleges, the surgery was allowed to proceed.
“Despite repeated reports, no investigations were initiated, no corrective actions taken, and the unsafe behavior continued,” the lawsuit states.
The complaint also alleges failures to complete surgical counts, breaches of sterile technique, hostile and erratic behavior by neurosurgeons, use of unapproved medical equipment and intimidation of nurses who questioned unsafe practices.
Surgical instruments are displayed on a tray in an operating room. Former surgical-services leaders allege in a lawsuit that repeated patient-safety concerns were ignored by hospital administrators. (Getty Images)
Gudino, Peppers and Proffitt claim they repeatedly reported concerns through Midas incident reports, OSF’s Integrity Line, human resources personnel, quality and safety officials and senior executives.
The complaint alleges the reports included concerns that surgeons refused proper timeouts and debriefings, directed staff to skip or falsify checklists and engaged in inappropriate conduct toward operating-room staff.
Rather than addressing the concerns, the plaintiffs allege they were warned to stop filing reports, excluded from meetings, stripped of authority and assigned additional neurosurgery-related duties.
The lawsuit claims they were subjected to verbal hostility, intimidation and humiliation and that supportive employees “were warned to stay silent.”
The complaint further alleges hospital leaders were more concerned about retaining surgeons than addressing complaints. According to the filing, Regional CEO August J. Querciagrossa told one plaintiff, “We cannot afford to lose any surgeon.”
All three plaintiffs ultimately resigned in 2025. The lawsuit alleges their departures amounted to constructive discharge because the work environment had become intolerably hostile after they reported patient-safety concerns.
The case does not involve claims brought by patients. Instead, it alleges violations of the Illinois Whistleblower Act and seeks damages for retaliation against employees who reported what they believed were threats to patient safety.
OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center declined to comment on the matter when reached by News Media.
The allegations in the lawsuit have not been proven in court, and OSF will have an opportunity to respond to the claims.