Medical Madman Everywhere. This One Implanted Unnecessary Pacemakers for Fun and Profit

In Lexington Kentucky last week a crooked cardiologist was convicted in a despicable case in which he was found to have routinely subjected frightened heart patients to totally unneeded surgery.

You may want to go back and read that paragraph again.

This particular egotistical idiot is known as Doctor Anis Chalhoub, and he was found guilty by a federal grand jury on April 11.

According to Robert Duncan, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky, investigators studied medical cases in which Chalhoub had implanted 234 pacemakers into the chests of patients between the years 2007-2011 at St. Joseph London Hospital. Prosecutors had the cases reviewed by ethical cardiologists, who verified that dozens of the cases simply did not meet requirements under standard medical protocols.

The criminal investigation started after hundreds of civil lawsuits were filed by current and former cardiovascular patients and/or their surviving family members against the cardiologists, a medical billing company and the London hospital.

Chalhoub, a heart specialist who lives in London, was affiliated with several hospitals in the greater Louisville-area, including Baptist Health Corbin, and Knox County Hospital. The doctor was found guilty of Medicare Fraud, Medicaid Fraud, and illegally billing other insurers in his get-rich scam.

This particular fool could get 10 years in federal prison when he is sentenced in August.

Our Observations:

In our book "America's Dumbest Doctors" we have an entire chapter devoted to the curious subject of "nominative determinism" - wherein many people have a name that appears to influence their lives and careers. Consider a child care specialist named Doctor Donald Duckles, for example. Or a bone surgeon named "Cutter."

Of course this lab coat lunatic is named "Anis" which we find totally appropriate.