COPPELL, Texas — During 6 News' ongoing investigation into Dr. Michael Patrick Gallagher, the anesthesiologist whose license was suspended following the death of Jenifer Cleveland at a Wortham med spa, we uncovered an ongoing lawsuit from 2021 involving another alleged instance of medical negligence that led to a mother's death in Coppell, Texas.
6 News was the first news outlet to break the story on Cleveland's death back in July 2023, and the first to report that Gallagher temporarily lost his license resulting from her death.
Though Cleveland's case is not directly connected to this 2021 lawsuit, Gallagher was the Chief of Anesthesiology at Integrity Wellness Center, 920 S. Belt Line Rd. in Coppell, Texas, according to Attorney Michael G. Sawicki, who is representing the family of the mother, Kimberly Ray.
According to the lawsuit, Ray from Arlington, Texas, died following a routine rhizotomy procedure at Integrity Wellness Center on April 19, 2023 that was performed by certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA) Joseph Scott Houghton, who misrepresented his qualifications to Ray.
The lawsuit further states that Houghton listed himself as a "surgeon," a "physician," and as "Dr. Scott Houghton" on documents Ray signed prior to the procedure.
According to the lawsuit, Ray was given a "large sedative dose" prior to her rhizotomy procedure. When she was unconscious, she was rolled over face down and Houghton performed injections to her spine, which is part of the procedure. He performed the procedure with help from another CRNA, Mauro Molina, and Dr. Venkateswara Rao Mandava, the lawsuit reads.
"Kimberly stopped breathing some time during the procedure," the lawsuit states. "But this went unnoticed until she was rolled over after it ended."
The lawsuit continues, "she was blue in color, had no heart beat and was not breathing."
Houghton, Molina and Mandava tried to revive Ray and also attempted to insert a breathing tube, but had to call 911, the lawsuit states. The Coppell Fire Department EMS responded and said the scene was "chaotic and disorganized," according to the lawsuit.
The department said "the doctor was yelling at the staff" and that "instruments to ensure Kimberly's airway had been restored were not attached when they arrived on the scene."
The fire department stated that Mandava "had trouble reinserting a breathing tube" and that he "snatched equipment away from EMS personnel trying to help Kimberly breathe again," according to the lawsuit.
Mandava also reportedly tried to delay Ray from being taken to the hospital so that he could finish his documentation first, the lawsuit continues.
"EMS told Dr. Mandava that he could ride in the ambulance if he wanted to complete the paperwork, but that it was critical to get Kimberly to the hospital," according to the lawsuit. "Dr. Mandava declined the ride and Kimberly was finally taken away."
Ray was diagnosed with severe brain injury due to the lack of oxygen, the lawsuit states. She had to be taken to a second hospital with "more complex treatment" because she also experienced uncontrolled seizures, the lawsuit reads.
Doctors determined she couldn't be saved, however. Her family decided to remove life support and Ray died on April 23, 2021.
According to the autopsy results, Ray sustained injury to her spinal column in the area where Houghton injected her. The autopsy also revealed she died as a result of brain damage that was caused by the procedure, the lawsuit states.
"The acts and/or omissions of the Defendants described above were of such a character as to make Defendants guilty of gross negligence," the lawsuit argues.
On Jan. 5, 2023, Gallagher provided his deposition to Sawicki for the lawsuit. In it, he admits that he is not a board certified anesthesiologist, despite being the Chief of Anesthesiology for the wellness center.
He continued to say he wasn't present at Integrity Wellness Center the day Ray died and that he never reviewed her records of care or spoke to EMS about her care.
He further stated that despite being chief, he wouldn't supervise Mandava because of how Mandava is an MD anesthesiologist.
Sawicki told 6 News Gallagher was terminated from his position after Ray's death.
Sawicki also said there were no criminal charges brought forth against Houghton, Molina and Mandava in Ray's death. He said they all have active medical licenses and continue to practice.
6 News will continue to provide updates into this investigation.