Rutgers Department of Neurosurgery head put on leave following allegations of professional misconduct

Anil Nanda, a high-profile surgeon and head of the Department of Neurosurgery at Rutgers’ two medical schools, was placed on paid administrative leave Nov. 11 following allegations regarding “professional conduct,” according to an article from NJ Advance Media.

Officials from the University have not yet disclosed what prompted the action or their cause for concern.

“Questions about Dr. Nanda’s conduct at (RWJUH) have been brought to our attention as well as the attention of the hospital,” said Peter McDonough, senior vice president for external affairs, according to the article. “Both the University and the hospital will be conducting investigations into the alleged conduct.”

Nanda’s attorney and a spokesperson for Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital (RWJUH) had no additional comments at the time. The University has not yet responded to The Daily Targum's request for comment.

NJ Advance Media reported that two sources claim the allegations deal with Nanda’s alleged involvement in performing “ghost surgeries,” or when other surgeons perform or complete surgery in place of the designated surgeon.

The University is investigating claims that Nanda was not fully present in the operating room during parts of his scheduled surgeries, with the sources claiming there are allegations that Nanda was participating in a virtual symposium in his office during at least one of the surgeries, according to another article from NJ Advance Media.

“Once alerted, clinical and administrative leaders from both RWJUH and Rutgers began an immediate fact-finding process regarding the allegations that Dr. Nanda may not have been fully present during certain surgical cases under his direction … Like all teaching institutions, RWJUH has guidelines for the duties which can be delegated from attending physicians to residents/fellows during surgical cases,” according to a letter sent to the hospital’s board of trustees obtained by NJ Advance Media.

Nanda has had similar allegations brought against him in the past when he served as the head of the Department of Neurosurgery at Louisiana State University (LSU) Health Sciences Center prior to his arrival at Rutgers in 2018, according to the article. 

A report from KTBS-TV found that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ general inspector found cases where LSU Health had incorrectly billed Medicare for three concurrent surgeries where Nanda was allegedly not fully present in the operating room, though the government had been charged as if he was.

Additionally, the report found that LSU had to pay out more than $700,000 in fines and restitution, with these instances occurring at a time when Nanda was inexplicably demoted from his position as chairman the previous year, according to the article.

NJ Advance Media found out through a public records request that the University hired no firm to conduct a background search on Nanda prior to hiring him to fulfill one of the highest-paid roles at the University. 

Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences officials did not explain why they did not look into Nanda’s background at LSU, and a spokesperson for the academic health center did not comment on whether the University knew about these previous issues, according to the article.

In addition, several claims have been brought against Nanda in regard to his alleged creation of a toxic work environment, according to the article. Since his arrival at Rutgers, dozens of faculty, nurses and staff have left or have been terminated, with a former clinical assistant professor at University Hospital and New Jersey Medical School, Catherine Mazzola, recently filing a lawsuit regarding the matter.

Nanda released a statement through his attorney prior to being placed on his administrative leave denying allegations made by the lawsuit and by others, according to the article.

“The accusations of a toxic atmosphere are fabricated and dishonest … Cultural change and commitment to excellence is disruptive, but necessary,” he said.

“He’s untouchable,” said Diomedes Tsitouras, executive director of the American Association of University Professors and Biomedical and Health Sciences of New Jersey, according to the article. “People are afraid. They see people fired and nothing happens.”

The hospital’s Medical Executive Committee held an emergency executive session on Nov. 11 to review known information, ultimately deciding to obtain additional input from physicians and employees, according to the article. 

“At the conclusion of this preliminary review, Dr. Nanda voluntarily offered to cease all of his clinical and administrative duties until a full inquiry could be completed by the hospital and University … The best course of action for all concerned was to place Dr. Nanda on paid administrative leave until a complete review of the events could be completed,” according to the article.

During the administrative leave, Nanda will not be allowed to provide clinical, academic or additional services at the University or its affiliated facilities until the investigation, which is being conducted by an outside law firm, is complete.