Doctor with Pending Malpractice Suit Operates Tragically on Another
In September 2001, Michael Skolnik passed out. His mother Patty Skolnik, took him to a Denver doctor who said the 22 year-old had a tiny brain cyst and that it could be removed in a three-hour surgery. Six hours later, no cyst was found and Michael was left paralyzed, partially blind and psychotic. After three years in the hospital he died at the age of 25. State authorities found the surgeon faultless, but his mother wasn’t satisfied, “The doctor basically killed Michael that day.” Later she learned that the physician had a malpractice case pending against him in Georgia. In response she, lobbied the state legislature, met with lawmakers and testified for a proposed statute requiring physicians seeking or renewing a Colorado medical license to report all malpractice settlements or disciplinary actions against them. Last May she joined Governor Bill Ritter as he signed House Bill 1331, known as the Michael Skolnick Medical Transparency Act.
