Predatory Medicine Redux
This story is a factual provocative account of the personal experience of a cardiologist told after 38 years in private practice. It is told with compelling narrative punctuated with actual patient vignettes exposing aspects of medical practice the author has labeled-Predatory Medicine.
He chronicles how lazy, incompetent, or unscrupulous physicians take advantage of medically naïve, unsuspecting, and trusting patients. His story begins when he first began his medical practice as a young idealistic doctor and how he quickly learned to look the other way when confronted with unethical behavior of colleagues in order to protect his own prospects for a successful career. It culminates with the final years of his professional life when he was compelled to confront such behavior-and paid a steep price.
He documents how the “Systems” ostensibly designed to protect the patient too often fail. He describes how today’s complex and evolving health care system which, despite impressive technological advances, allows such behavior to persist and in some cases, actually facilitate it.
The author provides specific “commandments” by which the patient can assess a physician’s performance and make an educated determination whether the doctor does care and is providing exemplary medical attention.
the author
Dr. Vangrow was born and spent early days in Dayton, Ohio. He graduated from the University of Dayton with a Bachelor of Science degree. He left home to attend medical school at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, graduating in 1965. His internship was completed at Michael Reese Hospital, now defunct, thanks to the advent of HMOs and demographic factors.
By popular demand for doctors he entered military service (Navy) and spent 2 years active duty-the first year at sea on destroyers off the coast of Vietnam; the second was spent in Boston at the Naval Shipyard in Charleston.
He resumed medical training back in Cincinnati for one year then returned to the good life in southern California where he completed training in Internal Medicine and Cardiology, becoming board certified in Cardiovascular Diseases in 1973.
After serving a 2-year stint as an Adjunct Professor of Medicine at the University of California, Irvine he entered private practice in Orange County, California.
He currently resides in Corona Del Mar with his wife. He has three adult children, one of which is still in college. Beside various interests, including authoring a book about his experiences practicing medicine, he volunteers at the Lestonnac free clinic in the city of Orange.
the mission
The intent of this website is to extend and amplify the information presented in my book, Predatory Medicine-Redux. The book exposes problems with the healthcare system which are not usually discussed, but are actual daily occurrences that affect the lives of innumerable Americans.
These issues involve: 1. Provider misconduct. 2. Failure of peer oversight or review. 3. “Systems” failure to protect patients. 4. The evolving healthcare system which may not actually advance medical practice.
It is hoped that healthcare providers (physicians, nurses, technicians) will share their personal experiences confirming what I have observed. Such comments may further validate the “commandments” and the P.A.C.T. scorecard provided in the book thus enhancing the ability of patients to ensure, as much as possible, they receive appropriate care.
For any media inquiries, please contact Gregory Reeves:
296 Chestnut St. Meadville, PA 16335