Are Your Medical Appointments Safe? Shocking Claims Emerge About Surgeries Performed by 'Progressive' Doctor
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When we visit a doctor, we put our trust—and often our health—into their hands. For many of us, especially as we get older and medical appointments become more frequent, that trust is the foundation of our relationship with healthcare professionals. But what happens when that trust is shattered in the most unimaginable way?
A recent case in the United States has sent shockwaves through the medical community and left many patients questioning how well-protected they really are. Dr. Mona Ghosh, a 52-year-old OB-GYN who ran the Progressive Women’s Healthcare clinic in Hoffman Estates, just outside Chicago, has been sentenced to ten years in federal prison after pleading guilty to two counts of healthcare fraud. But the story goes far beyond financial wrongdoing—it’s a harrowing tale of betrayal, unnecessary surgeries, and lives forever changed.
A Pattern of Deception and Harm
Dr. Ghosh’s crimes were not limited to paperwork or billing errors. According to prosecutors, she told dozens of healthy women—most of whom had come in for routine cervical cancer screenings—that their results were abnormal. This false diagnosis set off a chain of unnecessary and invasive procedures, including biopsies and, in some cases, endometrial ablations (a procedure that burns the lining of the uterus, typically used to treat heavy bleeding).
What’s even more disturbing is that many of these procedures were performed while the women were sedated and without their informed consent. The pain and trauma from these unnecessary surgeries were so severe for some patients that they ultimately required hysterectomies—the complete removal of the uterus—robbing them of the chance to have children in the future.
The Human Cost: Voices of the Victims
Nearly 100 women, most of them women of colour, have come forward to say they were harmed by Dr Ghosh’s actions. Seventeen of them bravely spoke at her trial, sharing stories of pain, loss, and betrayal.
One former patient, Katie Hart, said: ‘I wasn’t done having kids, and she took that from me. Not just me, but everyone, she took that right away from.’ Another, Angela, told local media: ‘I’m glad she’s going to prison for what she did because she deserves to go to prison.’ For many, the emotional scars will last a lifetime.
A Lavish Lifestyle Funded by Fraud
While her patients suffered, Dr. Ghosh enjoyed a life of luxury. Online listings show she owned a $1.4 million home and properties in New York and Chicago. Social media posts reveal her globe-trotting adventures, from sunny beach resorts to the historic streets of Rome. All the while, she was allegedly filing insurance claims for visits that never happened and creating false medical records to back up her fraudulent activities.
Federal Judge Franklin Valderrama, who sentenced Ghosh, didn’t mince words: ‘You irrevocably harmed women who put their trust in you. You used your patients to bankroll your luxurious lifestyle.’
The Legal Fallout and Ongoing Battle for Justice
In addition to her prison sentence, Dr. Ghosh has been ordered to pay back more than $1.5 million to insurance companies, including taxpayer-funded programs like Medicaid and TRICARE (which serves veterans). She has also been stripped of her medical license and faces further lawsuits from her former patients.
US Attorney Andrew Boutros summed up the gravity of the case: ‘Ghosh’s fraud scheme was particularly egregious because she endangered the health of her patients by performing unnecessary medical procedures, including procedures that severely limited some patients’ ability to have children in the future.’
Understanding the Procedures: What Went Wrong?
For those unfamiliar, endometrial ablation is a procedure used to treat heavy uterine bleeding by destroying the lining of the uterus. It’s not recommended for women who wish to have children, as it can make pregnancy difficult or impossible. The risks include injury to the uterus or nearby organs, infection, and even life-threatening complications.
Routine cervical cancer screenings, such as Pap tests and HPV tests, are essential for women’s health, but they should only lead to further procedures if there is a genuine medical need. In Australia, as in the US, women are encouraged to have regular screenings, but it’s important to ask questions and seek a second opinion if something doesn’t feel right.
How Can You Protect Yourself?
This case is a sobering reminder that, while most doctors are dedicated professionals, it’s always wise to be proactive about your healthcare:
While this case happened overseas, it’s a timely reminder for all of us in Australia to remain vigilant. Our healthcare system has many checks and balances, but no system is perfect. Advocacy groups continue to push for stronger protections for patients, including better oversight of medical practitioners and more transparent complaint processes.
Have you ever felt unsure about a medical recommendation or experienced something that didn’t seem right during a doctor’s visit? Do you have tips for others on how to stay safe and informed when navigating the healthcare system? We’d love to hear your stories and advice in the comments below.
A recent case in the United States has sent shockwaves through the medical community and left many patients questioning how well-protected they really are. Dr. Mona Ghosh, a 52-year-old OB-GYN who ran the Progressive Women’s Healthcare clinic in Hoffman Estates, just outside Chicago, has been sentenced to ten years in federal prison after pleading guilty to two counts of healthcare fraud. But the story goes far beyond financial wrongdoing—it’s a harrowing tale of betrayal, unnecessary surgeries, and lives forever changed.
A Pattern of Deception and Harm
US doctor Mona Ghosh has been sentenced to ten years in prison and ordered to repay over $1.5 million for performing harmful surgeries without patient consent. Credit: Facebook
Dr. Ghosh’s crimes were not limited to paperwork or billing errors. According to prosecutors, she told dozens of healthy women—most of whom had come in for routine cervical cancer screenings—that their results were abnormal. This false diagnosis set off a chain of unnecessary and invasive procedures, including biopsies and, in some cases, endometrial ablations (a procedure that burns the lining of the uterus, typically used to treat heavy bleeding).
What’s even more disturbing is that many of these procedures were performed while the women were sedated and without their informed consent. The pain and trauma from these unnecessary surgeries were so severe for some patients that they ultimately required hysterectomies—the complete removal of the uterus—robbing them of the chance to have children in the future.
The Human Cost: Voices of the Victims
Nearly 100 women, most of them women of colour, have come forward to say they were harmed by Dr Ghosh’s actions. Seventeen of them bravely spoke at her trial, sharing stories of pain, loss, and betrayal.
One former patient, Katie Hart, said: ‘I wasn’t done having kids, and she took that from me. Not just me, but everyone, she took that right away from.’ Another, Angela, told local media: ‘I’m glad she’s going to prison for what she did because she deserves to go to prison.’ For many, the emotional scars will last a lifetime.
A Lavish Lifestyle Funded by Fraud
While her patients suffered, Dr. Ghosh enjoyed a life of luxury. Online listings show she owned a $1.4 million home and properties in New York and Chicago. Social media posts reveal her globe-trotting adventures, from sunny beach resorts to the historic streets of Rome. All the while, she was allegedly filing insurance claims for visits that never happened and creating false medical records to back up her fraudulent activities.
Federal Judge Franklin Valderrama, who sentenced Ghosh, didn’t mince words: ‘You irrevocably harmed women who put their trust in you. You used your patients to bankroll your luxurious lifestyle.’
The Legal Fallout and Ongoing Battle for Justice
In addition to her prison sentence, Dr. Ghosh has been ordered to pay back more than $1.5 million to insurance companies, including taxpayer-funded programs like Medicaid and TRICARE (which serves veterans). She has also been stripped of her medical license and faces further lawsuits from her former patients.
US Attorney Andrew Boutros summed up the gravity of the case: ‘Ghosh’s fraud scheme was particularly egregious because she endangered the health of her patients by performing unnecessary medical procedures, including procedures that severely limited some patients’ ability to have children in the future.’
Understanding the Procedures: What Went Wrong?
For those unfamiliar, endometrial ablation is a procedure used to treat heavy uterine bleeding by destroying the lining of the uterus. It’s not recommended for women who wish to have children, as it can make pregnancy difficult or impossible. The risks include injury to the uterus or nearby organs, infection, and even life-threatening complications.
Routine cervical cancer screenings, such as Pap tests and HPV tests, are essential for women’s health, but they should only lead to further procedures if there is a genuine medical need. In Australia, as in the US, women are encouraged to have regular screenings, but it’s important to ask questions and seek a second opinion if something doesn’t feel right.
How Can You Protect Yourself?
This case is a sobering reminder that, while most doctors are dedicated professionals, it’s always wise to be proactive about your healthcare:
- Ask questions: If you’re told you need a procedure, don’t hesitate to ask why it’s necessary and what alternatives exist.
- Get a second opinion: Especially for major procedures or unexpected diagnoses, another doctor’s perspective can be invaluable.
- Review your medical records: You have the right to access your records and ensure they accurately reflect your visits and treatments.
- Report concerns: If you suspect something is amiss, contact your state’s health complaints commission or medical board.
While this case happened overseas, it’s a timely reminder for all of us in Australia to remain vigilant. Our healthcare system has many checks and balances, but no system is perfect. Advocacy groups continue to push for stronger protections for patients, including better oversight of medical practitioners and more transparent complaint processes.
