CHILLICOTHE, Ohio — Leaked internal emails from Adena Health in Chillicothe appear to confirm that a cardiologist performed specialized heart procedures on three patients in 2022 without proper credentials, contradicting the hospital’s repeated denials, according to a recent report by NBC4 in Columbus.
The emails, obtained by NBC4 and dated March 7, 2022, show top hospital officials discussing the credentialing status of cardiologist Jarrod Betz six days after he participated in transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) procedures on March 1, 2022. One email from the vice president of quality and safety asked, “Are they considered privileged and credentialed now?” with a response stating, “No, they are not.” Another noted, “Once [the doctor] is approved, he will have privileges.”
NBC4 reported that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services require two credentialed physicians—an interventional cardiologist and a cardiac surgeon—to jointly perform the intra-operative aspects of TAVR for a hospital to bill for it. Sources told the station in 2023 that Betz lacked credentials at the time of the procedures, a claim Adena has consistently denied, calling it “patently false” and asserting both doctors involved were “appropriately privileged and credentialed.”
An Adena spokesperson told NBC4 on July 31 that the hospital upholds high credentialing standards and that regulatory reviews found it compliant, describing the emails as “out-of-context” and providing an “inaccurate and incomplete picture.” The hospital maintained its focus on quality care but did not directly address whether Betz was credentialed on the specific date of the surgeries when pressed.
The revelations bolster earlier reporting by Scioto Valley Guardian, which in May 2023 identified Betz as the uncredentialed doctor involved in the TAVR cases, some of which were linked to controversial and allegedly deadly heart surgeries at Adena. The Guardian’s coverage drew scrutiny to patient outcomes and hospital practices.
Betz has been suing the Scioto Valley Guardian for almost two years for defamation, claiming the outlet lied about his credentialing status in its 2023 reports. Lawyers for the Guardian described the suit as “dead on arrival” when it was filed, arguing it lacked merit. They said the leaked emails further vindicate the Guardian’s reporting, proving it and NBC4’s investigations were truthful all along.
The credentialing dispute is part of turmoil at Adena Health. In May 2023, the hospital fired its chief of surgery, Dr. James Manazer, and at least two others after accusing them of leaking information to media outlets, including NBC4 and the Guardian, as well as contributing to critical posts on a Facebook page called “Blimp Arms.”
Manazer, who anonymously tipped NBC4 about the TAVR issues before coming forward publicly after his termination, filed an explosive lawsuit in July 2023 against Adena Health and CEO Jeff Graham, accusing them of defamation, wrongful termination, and spreading lies. The suit, filed in Ross County Common Pleas Court, centered on an email Graham sent to staff announcing Manazer’s firing.
In the email, Graham stated: “Effective this afternoon, Dr. James Manazer is no longer with the organization. Dr. Manazer admitted to providing an interview to NBC4 that relayed false and defamatory information about Adena and its physicians. Further, evidence shows he contributed heavily to publishing false and defamatory information on Blimp Arms and that was relayed on the Scioto Valley Guardian. We are deeply disappointed by his actions, but as everyone is well aware, we must continue to put Adena and our physicians, caregivers, and patients first.”
Manazer’s lawsuit denies he admitted to sharing false information or heavily contributing to defamatory posts on Blimp Arms, a pseudonymous Facebook account that shares critical details about Adena, including a subpoena allegedly aimed at unmasking its owner. He claims the hospital’s statements damaged his reputation and were retaliatory for his whistleblowing on the TAVR credentialing lapses and other issues.
The suit also alleges Manazer received a call from a State Medical Board of Ohio investigator in April 2023 probing multiple accusations against Adena, including sexual misconduct by employees and two patient deaths during cardiac procedures. Former employees and a patient reported inappropriate touching, sexual texts, and pressure for unnecessary exams to NBC4 in February 2023, claiming inadequate responses from hospital HR and supervisors. Adena has denied wrongdoing, and no charges were filed against the accused providers.
Adena told a medical website, MedPage Today in a 2023 report on Manazer’s lawsuit that it stands by its assertion both physicians in the March 2022 TAVR procedures were fully credentialed. Betz is now credentialed for TAVR, according to both sides. The hospital declined comment on pending litigation.
The State Medical Board of Ohio has not confirmed active investigations into Adena.