Send us a text

Trust is the cornerstone of healthcare. When families place loved ones in nursing homes, they're entrusting strangers with the wellbeing of those they cherish most. This trust was shattered at Alpine Manor Nursing Home in the late 1980s when two nurse's aides transformed a place of healing into a killing ground.

Gwendolyn Graham and Kathy Wood formed a toxic relationship that quickly spiraled into murder. The victims? The most vulnerable residents—those with dementia or those who couldn't communicate, carefully selected because they couldn't fight back or tell anyone what happened. Their method was chillingly simple: suffocation with a washcloth that left almost no evidence behind.

The story becomes even more disturbing when examining their backgrounds. Graham, bearing the physical and emotional scars of childhood abuse, was prone to anger and emotional detachment. Wood, described as highly manipulative and controlling, had a history of deception and had openly wondered "what it would be like to stab somebody." Their relationship became a perfect storm of psychological dysfunction—a codependent bond where increasingly extreme behaviors became normalized.

What makes this case particularly haunting is how these women exploited the blind spots in our healthcare system. Their murders remained undetected not just because of careful planning, but because society often overlooks the elderly and disabled. The victims' struggles to communicate or their confusion was used against them, their final moments punctuated by bewilderment as caregivers became killers.

As we explore this case, we confront uncomfortable questions about how we protect those who cannot protect themselves. What safeguards failed? How can we better screen those we entrust with our most vulnerable? And perhaps most importantly, how do we ensure that these forgotten victims receive the justice and dignity they deserve?

Subscribe to hear the conclusion of this disturbing case, including the trial that raised serious questions about truth, manipulation, and whether justice was truly served for the victims of Alpine Manor.

Sources for this episode include: 

• Cauffiel, Lowell. Forever And Five Days: The Chilling True Story of Love, Betrayal and Serial Murder in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Pinnacle, 1997. ISBN 0-7860-0469-X
• Gwendolyn Graham and Cathy Wood - Wikipedia
• Sn

Support the show

Don't miss a (heart) beat! Check out our Instagram @doctoringthetruthpodcast and email us your Medical Mishaps at [email protected]. Join us on Facebook at Doctoring the Truth, and TikTok @doctoring the truth. Don't forget to download, rate, and review so we can keep bringing you more exciting content each week!

Stay safe, and stay suspicious...trust, after all, is a delicate thing!

Don't forget to check out these fantastic discounts from our sponsors:

Get 30% off your order with the code STAYSUSPICIOUS at thecuminclub.com

Visit www.shimmerwood.com for an exclusive 30% off with our discount code STAYSUSPICIOUS

20% Off Strong Coffee Company https://strongcoffeecompany.com/discount/STAYSUSPICIOUS

www.handful.com for 30% off with our code STAYSUSPICIOUS

www.standshoes.com for 15% off any product with our code STAYSUSPICIOUS

Send us a text

Prepare yourself for a captivating journey into the life of Michael Swango, a man whose medical aspirations turned sinister. Once a promising physician, Swango's dark obsession with death took him on a harrowing global path filled with deceit, manipulation, and an alarming loss of life. In this gripping episode, we navigate through the shadows of his medical career—unraveling a web of chaos as patients mysteriously died under his care. 

Swango's story raises uncomfortable questions about trust within the medical profession and the failures that allow evil to masquerade as healing. Through profound insights and a narrative rich with emotional depth, you will discover how a thorough investigation illuminated the complexities of his actions. As we uncover how institutional negligence perpetuated a cycle of malpractice, the dialogue extends beyond Swango's chilling tale to provoke deep thoughts about accountability and reform in healthcare.

Join us as we explore this crucial topic, featuring expert commentary and eye-opening observations on the delicate balance between trust and safety in medicine. You won't want to miss this engaging discussion—subscribe and immerse yourself in the staggering realities of one of medicine's most shocking cases!

References: 

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC1118552/

https://murderpedia.org/male.S/s/swango-michael.htm

https://www.oxygen.com/license-to-kill/season-1/international-serial-killer (2019, Season 1 Episode 8)

Dr. Death. Life of Serial Killer Michael Swango. Author: Jack Smith 

Support the show

Don't miss a (heart) beat! Check out our Instagram @doctoringthetruthpodcast and email us your Medical Mishaps at [email protected]. Join us on Facebook at Doctoring the Truth, and TikTok @doctoring the truth. Don't forget to download, rate, and review so we can keep bringing you more exciting content each week!

Stay safe, and stay suspicious...trust, after all, is a delicate thing!

Don't forget to check out these fantastic discounts from our sponsors:

Get 30% off your order with the code STAYSUSPICIOUS at thecuminclub.com

Visit www.shimmerwood.com for an exclusive 30% off with our discount code STAYSUSPICIOUS

20% Off Strong Coffee Company https://strongcoffeecompany.com/discount/STAYSUSPICIOUS

www.handful.com for 30% off with our code STAYSUSPICIOUS

www.standshoes.com for 15% off any product with our code STAYSUSPICIOUS

Send us a text

Are we putting too much trust in doctors? This week, we delve into the chilling narrative of Dr. Michael Swango, known as the "Doctor of Death." Following his seemingly normal upbringing, Swango’s twisted journey into medicine reveals unanswered questions and checks our faith in the healthcare system. 

His medical career began with promise but quickly revealed alarming elements that would later escalate into widespread horror. Colleagues began to notice irregularities during his training—unusual patient deaths and a disturbing penchant for poisons. His antics didn't stop there; after being expelled from the residency program due to his apparent negligence, he sought new opportunities cloaked in lies. Swango's job as an EMT further escalated the dread surrounding him when his coworkers reported widespread illness after interactions with him. 

The shocking revelation about his arrest and poisoning of colleagues only scratches the surface of his manipulative journey—one that continued even after he served time for his crimes. His marriage to nurse Kristen Kinney unveils even more darkness as suspicions and tragedies unfold swiftly. 

Prepare for a rollercoaster of emotions as we unpack a narrative filled with twists, red flags, and the deeply troubling reality of a healthcare system failing to protect victims from disguised predators. Join us as we break down how Dr. Swango created a facade of trustfulness while engaging in deadly deception. Don’t forget to subscribe, share your thoughts, and leave a review—your engagement is crucial and keeps us moving forward!

Support the show

Don't miss a (heart) beat! Check out our Instagram @doctoringthetruthpodcast and email us your Medical Mishaps at [email protected]. Join us on Facebook at Doctoring the Truth, and TikTok @doctoring the truth. Don't forget to download, rate, and review so we can keep bringing you more exciting content each week!

Stay safe, and stay suspicious...trust, after all, is a delicate thing!

Don't forget to check out these fantastic discounts from our sponsors:

Get 30% off your order with the code STAYSUSPICIOUS at thecuminclub.com

Visit www.shimmerwood.com for an exclusive 30% off with our discount code STAYSUSPICIOUS

20% Off Strong Coffee Company https://strongcoffeecompany.com/discount/STAYSUSPICIOUS

www.handful.com for 30% off with our code STAYSUSPICIOUS

www.standshoes.com for 15% off any product with our code STAYSUSPICIOUS

Send us a text

Ever tried squeezing a wriggling, fur-covered bundle of energy into a pair of tiny dog boots? We sure have, and it’s only the beginning of our frosty adventure from the snowy landscapes of Minnesota and Alaska to the sunlit shores of the Cayman Islands. We kick things off by sharing the comical chaos of winter pet care, setting the stage for a laughter-filled episode. Inspired by our listeners, with a nod to Richard Marsh from Cornwall, we lighten things up with hilarious listener-submitted stories and share a sneak peek of our new segment, "Medical Mishaps," promising giggles in the midst of our typically intense discussions.

Brace yourself for the wild and wacky world of John Brinkley, a name synonymous with the outrageous medical quackery of the early 20th century. What do electric medicine scams, syphilis museum exhibits, and colored water injections have in common? They're all part of Brinkley's bag of tricks, concocted alongside his partner in crime, James Crawford. As we trace the tangled web of Brinkley's personal life and his bold escapades, you'll be both amused and astounded by his audacity. This bizarre chapter in medical history is a testament to the quirky characters who thrived in an era eager for easy cures.

Our tale crescendos with Brinkley's infamous goat gland surgery, a procedure as peculiar as it sounds. Imagine choosing your own goat for a so-called rejuvenating surgery! With charismatic marketing, Brinkley lured patients nationwide, intertwining music and medicine in a way never seen before. Just as his media empire, fueled by hillbilly tunes and border blaster stations, reached its zenith, the expose by Morris Fishbein brought it crashing down. Through Brinkley's rise and fall, we explore a transformative moment in American history, reminding us of the enduring power of storytelling and the dangerous allure of pseudoscience.

Support the show

Don't miss a (heart) beat! Check out our Instagram @doctoringthetruthpodcast and email us your Medical Mishaps at [email protected]. Join us on Facebook at Doctoring the Truth, and TikTok @doctoring the truth. Don't forget to download, rate, and review so we can keep bringing you more exciting content each week!

Stay safe, and stay suspicious...trust, after all, is a delicate thing!

Don't forget to check out these fantastic discounts from our sponsors:

Get 30% off your order with the code STAYSUSPICIOUS at thecuminclub.com

Visit www.shimmerwood.com for an exclusive 30% off with our discount code STAYSUSPICIOUS

20% Off Strong Coffee Company https://strongcoffeecompany.com/discount/STAYSUSPICIOUS

www.handful.com for 30% off with our code STAYSUSPICIOUS

www.standshoes.com for 15% off any product with our code STAYSUSPICIOUS

Send us a text

What happens when a trusted physician turns into one of the most notorious fraudsters in American history? Join us for a chilling exploration of Dr. Farid Tanios Fata's shocking descent from a respected oncologist to a convicted criminal guilty of healthcare fraud, money laundering, and conspiracy. We'll uncover the disturbing details of how Dr. Fata's actions betrayed the trust of his patients, causing irreparable harm and leading many to question the integrity of the medical profession itself.

Our investigation takes you deep into the criminal proceedings that led to Dr. Fata's downfall. Led by George and supported by testimonies from medical professionals like Dr. Mongole, the inquiry revealed a web of deceit, where unnecessary chemotherapy and misdiagnoses were tools for financial gain. Despite his arrest and a 45-year sentence, questions about the adequacy of his punishment and his wife Samar's escape to Lebanon linger, leaving behind a complex and unresolved narrative that continues to haunt the victims.

Hear the heart-wrenching stories of patients who fell victim to Dr. Fata's greed, enduring emotional and physical turmoil due to unwarranted treatments and false hope. These stories are a sobering reminder of the profound violation of trust that can occur in healthcare and the devastating impact on those who believed in a doctor's care. As we examine the broader implications of medical fraud, we stress the urgent need for vigilance and ethical practice to prevent such betrayals in the future.

Sources used in this episode include the following: 

https://docs.google.com/document/d/19WIFuFgYhjrU9BLP9K1ECBNJTJ-HpjEDiKTDBLM4BiM/edit?usp=sharing

ABC News

NBC News

 https://www.justice.gov/usao-edmi/file/623461/dl

https://www.medicaldaily.com/how-did-dr-farid-fata-americas-greatest-cancer-fraudster-get-away-it-so-long-341478

https://www.fcacounsel.com/blog/it-takes-a-whistleblower-farid-fata/

 https://legislature.mi.gov/documents/2013-2014/CommitteeDocuments/House/Health%20Policy/Testimony/HCT_HP__-9-30-2014-1(Jeffeery%20Berz)

Support the show

Don't miss a (heart) beat! Check out our Instagram @doctoringthetruthpodcast and email us your Medical Mishaps at [email protected]. Join us on Facebook at Doctoring the Truth, and TikTok @doctoring the truth. Don't forget to download, rate, and review so we can keep bringing you more exciting content each week!

Stay safe, and stay suspicious...trust, after all, is a delicate thing!

Don't forget to check out these fantastic discounts from our sponsors:

Get 30% off your order with the code STAYSUSPICIOUS at thecuminclub.com

Visit www.shimmerwood.com for an exclusive 30% off with our discount code STAYSUSPICIOUS

20% Off Strong Coffee Company https://strongcoffeecompany.com/discount/STAYSUSPICIOUS

www.handful.com for 30% off with our code STAYSUSPICIOUS

www.standshoes.com for 15% off any product with our code STAYSUSPICIOUS

Send us a text

Did you ever wonder how a simple bathroom break could lead to a podcast mishap? Join us as we share the hilarious behind-the-scenes stories from our international listeners in Australia, the UK, Canada, and France. Promising better audio quality, we’re diving into alternating episode formats and tackling the nuances of regional accents, with a special nod to our friend Amy for enlightening us about the band Little Texas."

"As our conversation shifts gears, we unravel the twisted saga of Bradley Schwartz and Bruce Bigger. Bradley’s obsession ignites a dark alliance with Bruce, a character whose life is marred by tragedy and crime. From a shocking murder plot to bizarre encounters involving a man in scrubs, this chapter is riddled with suspense and intrigue as we piece together the chilling events that unfolded."

"Finally, brace yourself for the dramatic case of Dr. Catherine Roxanne Growe, whose reckless social media escapades cost her a medical license. We scrutinize the ethical boundaries violated, and the unsettling implications for patient safety. Concluding with Brad Schwartz's gripping trial, we dissect the courtroom drama, DNA evidence, and the relentless appeal efforts that could rewrite the narrative of this intense legal battle.

Support the show

Don't miss a (heart) beat! Check out our Instagram @doctoringthetruthpodcast and email us your Medical Mishaps at [email protected]. Join us on Facebook at Doctoring the Truth, and TikTok @doctoring the truth. Don't forget to download, rate, and review so we can keep bringing you more exciting content each week!

Stay safe, and stay suspicious...trust, after all, is a delicate thing!

Don't forget to check out these fantastic discounts from our sponsors:

Get 30% off your order with the code STAYSUSPICIOUS at thecuminclub.com

Visit www.shimmerwood.com for an exclusive 30% off with our discount code STAYSUSPICIOUS

20% Off Strong Coffee Company https://strongcoffeecompany.com/discount/STAYSUSPICIOUS

www.handful.com for 30% off with our code STAYSUSPICIOUS

www.standshoes.com for 15% off any product with our code STAYSUSPICIOUS

Send us a text

What if the medical world held secrets darker than you could ever imagine? Welcome to "Doctoring the Truth," where we peel back the layers on true crime cases nestled within the healthcare industry. This episode kicks off our chilling series, "The Sins of the Stethoscope," centered on the brutal murder of Dr. Brian Stidham, found dead under mysterious circumstances in Tucson, Arizona. We revisit the fateful day of October 5, 2004, when a seemingly routine day turned tragic. Dr. Stidham's body was found in his own practice's parking lot, his wallet untouched, leaving behind chilling questions about the truth behind his murder.

Journey with us into the life of Dr. Brian Stidham, a Texas native whose passion for medicine led him to become a renowned pediatric ophthalmologist. Through vivid stories from friends and colleagues, we illuminate his life, from his academic pursuits at Vanderbilt and Harvard to his cherished moments with his wife, Daphne. We contrast this with Bradley Allen Schwartz's tumultuous path—a fellow ophthalmologist whose life was riddled with challenges, from professional setbacks to personal demons. As we unravel Brad's story, a complex tapestry of manipulation and rivalry emerges, hinting at motivations that might have led to Brian's untimely demise.

Unraveling further, we explore the tangled web of Brad's relationships, revealing a man whose chaos seemed to ensnare everyone around him. From unsettling interactions with women to professional rivalries, Brad's manipulative behavior is laid bare. Alongside this narrative, we tackle broader ethical issues facing the medical field today, from regulatory oversights to the psychological impacts of rapid information access on patients. Join us as we expose these dark shadows and prepare for the continuation of this gripping story in the next episode of "Doctoring the Truth.

Support the show

Don't miss a (heart) beat! Check out our Instagram @doctoringthetruthpodcast and email us your Medical Mishaps at [email protected]. Join us on Facebook at Doctoring the Truth, and TikTok @doctoring the truth. Don't forget to download, rate, and review so we can keep bringing you more exciting content each week!

Stay safe, and stay suspicious...trust, after all, is a delicate thing!

Don't forget to check out these fantastic discounts from our sponsors:

Get 30% off your order with the code STAYSUSPICIOUS at thecuminclub.com

Visit www.shimmerwood.com for an exclusive 30% off with our discount code STAYSUSPICIOUS

20% Off Strong Coffee Company https://strongcoffeecompany.com/discount/STAYSUSPICIOUS

www.handful.com for 30% off with our code STAYSUSPICIOUS

www.standshoes.com for 15% off any product with our code STAYSUSPICIOUS