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Waking Up Blind: Lawsuits Over Eye Surgery |  | Author: Tom Harbin MD
Publisher: Langdon Street Press
Category: eBooks
This item is no longer available
Rating:  22 reviews
Sales Rank: 27425
Format: Kindle Book
Media: Kindle Edition
ASIN: B0033AH5J8
Publication Date: December 1, 2009
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Product Description
Waking Up Blind: Lawsuits over Eye Surgery
By Tom Harbin, MD
Summary
In the early 1980’s, professors at a highly-respected academic medical center began to notice problems with their gifted chairman, a powerful figure on campus. His patients complained of long delays and rushed exams. His bills to Medicare and insurance companies were suspect. Too often, the tissue that he removed from patient’s eyes showed no sign of the disease that he had diagnosed.
The professors and finally the Dean urged this chairman to mend his ways. He did not. His hurried care of patients was reaping profits for the medical center and his academic pursuits were increasing the center’s prestige. He seemed to know that he’d be protected by the medical center’s top leaders. He was right.
Finally, on a typically rushed day, he operated on the wrong eye of a patient, who eventually went blind from an easily detected and treatable problem. A departmental committee investigation found improper billing, examples of patients’ eyes harmed by neglect, and multiple other problems.
Once again, the university’s leaders paid little heed, approving a committee recommendation that did nothing more than ask its own chairman to slow down. Lawsuits and continued complaints from two faculty whistleblowers prompted a university ethics investigation. The result: exoneration for the chairman and a reprimand for a whistleblower.
Only after a national specialty society ethics investigation and even more lawsuits was the chairman forced to resign. What little was known of the story made headlines at the time, but now the full story is told, backed by court documents, official transcripts, letters and personal interviews.
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| Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 1-5 of 22
 A must read July 4, 2010
Babylon Bookie
Could not put down the book since it arrived at my door yesterday. Finished it in one sitting.
Undoubtedly there will be cries of bias against the author by some, as it is often the case against books of this nature. In fact Dr Harbin has provided as balanced account of the events as one could hope for. Lessons can certainly be gleamed from both sides of the struggle. Overall a great read.
Kudos to Dr Harbin July 2, 2010
BookLuvr (Hartford, VT USA)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I downloaded this book not knowing really what it was about other than a surgery done on the wrong eye of a patient. Having been in the ophthalmology field for 10 years it grabbed my interest quickly. How could I have known that I'd gain so much more respect for a doctor that I already respected more than any other I've worked with.
Dr David Campbell is one of the most honest, well-respected ophthalmologists I know. This book served to want to make me a better technician and gave me reason to respect the man I've worked with & known for 10 years so much more than ever before!
I suggest this to anyone in the medical field, especially ophthalmology!
Thank you Dr Harbin for telling this story that very obviously needed to be told!!!!
 Astonishing May 31, 2010
{indie}pendent books (New York)
True Crime is one of my favorite genres. And this book fits the bill. It all revolves around a egotistical eye surgeon who goes around operating on his patients eyes for what seems like notoriety. He is waiting for that one surgery that is going to catapult him into greatness. While the book does have a hint of bitterness to it, it is certainly understandable when you think of how one person's life has been drastically changed (partial blindness) by a doctor who couldn't care in the least bit.
The writing in this book is not your traditional sort. While well written, it is a re-telling of a medical malpractice incident and there are many details and players that need mentioning. For those who are into true crime or mystery this won't phase you.
It's amazing just how relevant this book is now. With such a focus on health care, this book really makes you take a step back and think about your own doctors. Are they in it for fame, or are they truly wanting to help you?
While we all know doctors stand behind each other, to read a real life account on how an entire hospital and its staff turned their back on this patient when she most needed answers, is astonishing. The author, Doctor Harbin, has really shined a light on this issue and just how many people face this on a daily basis.
The pain and uncertainty Dr. Cavanagh's (doctor in question) patients went though will haunt me for a while. Knowing this is a true account, it turns your stomach that a doctor can really believe his hands were a "gift from God". It's funny how as soon as someone you respect mentions a drastic thought, we tend to take their word as final. And some doctors, they prey on that.
I am an Emory Trained Ophthalmologist May 31, 2010
John Hagan III MD
8 out of 8 found this review helpful
Like several of the reviewers I was unable to put this excellent expose book down. I was forwarned by another ophthalmologist that he turned the pages so fast they almost burst into flames. I read the book in one sitting finishing at 3:00 AM. Reading this is an absolute must for any ophthalmologist, most physicians and any reader that likes the medical genre.
I am a board certified ophthalmologist that trained at Emory's Ophthalmology Department. I left Emory the year before Dwight Cavanaugh (who does not deserve to be called "Doctor") arrived. I applaud the courage and integrity of Dr. Tom Harbin whom I know by reputation as a physician's physician.
This book made me so ashamed of Emory, ashamed of many of the staff physicians that trained me, ashamed of the way that physicians and putative leaders of the field of ophthalmology and Emory University betrayed the trust of their patients and the general public.
I believe it is a travesty of the highest order that Dwight Cavanaugh still has a license to practice medicine, still holds a very high appointment at a medical school department of ophthalmology, and exposed to medical students and residents. In my opinion he should not only have his license taken away from him but he should be in jail for felony "battery" on his unsuspecting and trusting victims.
I am buying 6 of these books and sending them to ophthalmology friends of mine with the admonition to send it to other ophthalmologists after they have read it.
As a further disgusting footnote during this entire mess that Cavanaugh created I was repeatedly ask to donate funds to Emory's Ophthalmology Department to finance all the "wonderful things" that Cavanaugh was doing. This at a time that the development department was fully aware of the many lawsuits and unecessary surgery that Cavanaugh was doing.
For an Emory trained Ophthalmologist this is pure schadenfreude.
Well reserched book May 17, 2010
Frank Nelms
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Very rare for a book by a doctor that is critical of other doctors. Emery Univeristy should be embrassed by the facts in thbis b ook.
Showing reviews 1-5 of 22
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