CHILLICOTHE, Ohio — In an update to a story that’s been causing significant controversy in Ohio, the Guardian has now identified Dr. Jarrod Betz as the doctor behind the cardiac surgeries at Adena Regional Medical Center in Chillicothe that are currently under scrutiny. Dr. Betz is alleged to have performed “Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR)” procedures on at least three patients, despite not being properly credentialed for such highly specialized surgeries.
The TAVR procedure, which is a relatively new technique to replace a damaged heart valve without cutting open the patient’s chest, requires meticulous expertise and training. It is still unclear whether Dr. Betz had the necessary training to perform such procedures, however, it has been confirmed he lacked the proper credentials.
On May 8, the Guardian reported that two patients died at the hospital from cardiac procedures, both involving Betz. One was a TAVR and the other was a separate cardiovascular procedure. Also assisting in the procedures were Dr. Anti Rehman.
This revelation is the latest in a series of allegations against the hospital that the Guardian has been tracking. Previously, news outlets had exposed claims of sexual misconduct against doctors and providers at the medical center and criticized the hospital administration’s handling of those cases.
Sources inside the Chillicothe hospital, who have requested to remain anonymous due to the sensitive nature of the information, express a growing concern about the safety of patients at the hospital. This latest news only adds to the mounting apprehension surrounding the hospital’s practices and oversight.
Despite being at the center of a controversy at Adena Regional Medical Center, Betz’s credentials do not appear to match the specialized requirements needed to carry out the Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR) procedures he allegedly performed.
Betz graduated from the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, where he also completed a Master of Science in Chemistry. However, neither his medical degree nor his master’s degree directly relate to the specialized field of cardiovascular surgery, leaving significant questions about his competence in this area.
He then completed an Internal Medicine Residency at the University of Colorado in Denver, which still does not touch upon the intricate specialty of TAVR procedures. He later completed fellowships in Cardiovascular Medicine and Interventional Cardiology at Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center in Columbus.
Betz is a member of the American College of Cardiology (ACC) and the American Society of Echocardiography (ASE), but these affiliations do not necessarily ensure competence in specialized cardiovascular procedures. While on paper Betz seems to have a comprehensive medical background, none of his degrees or fellowships specifically qualify him to perform the advanced and highly complex TAVR procedure, leading to serious concerns about his professional capabilities and judgement.
Further investigation into Dr. Betz’s qualifications and the administration’s role in this matter are underway, as the Guardian continues to follow this developing story closely.