Jarrod Betz

Full Report

Key Points

• Subject: Dr. Jarrod Betz, a cardiologist at Adena Health System in Chillicothe, Ohio.

• Major Allegation: Accused of cutting an artery during a routine heart catheterization on August 18, 2023, leading to the death of 65-year-old Sheila Sue Trimble, whose body was allegedly propped up to appear alive for her family.

• Credential Concerns: Previously faced investigations for performing transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) procedures without proper credentials, with at least 31 individuals accusing him of falsifying qualifications.

• Lawsuit: Trimble’s family is suing Adena Health, alleging misconduct, including discrepancies in the time of death and staging the patient to appear alive.

• Hospital Response: Adena Health denies wrongdoing, calling allegations “patently false” and asserting Betz’s credentials are verified.

• Additional Red Flags: Reports of other Adena doctors, including Betz’s colleague Dr. Atiq Rehman, watching YouTube videos for unfamiliar procedures, raising broader concerns about the hospital’s cardiology department.

Overview

Dr. Jarrod Betz is a cardiologist practicing at Adena Health System in Chillicothe, Ohio. He specializes in cardiac procedures, including heart catheterizations and reportedly transcatheter aortic valve replacements (TAVR). His professional profile came under scrutiny following the death of a patient, Sheila Sue Trimble, during a routine heart catheterization in August 2023. The incident, detailed in a lawsuit, has raised questions about his competence and the hospital’s practices. Prior to this, Betz faced allegations of performing complex procedures without proper credentials, contributing to concerns about his qualifications and the oversight at Adena Health.

Allegations and Concerns

• Patient Death and Misconduct: Betz is accused of cutting an artery during a routine heart catheterization on Sheila Sue Trimble on August 18, 2023, leading to her death at 1:00 p.m., per medical records. The lawsuit claims hospital staff propped up Trimble’s body to appear alive at 3:05 p.m., when her family was urged to decide on life support, despite her being deceased for two hours.

• Credential Issues: The Scioto Valley Guardian reported that Betz performed at least three TAVR procedures, a highly specialized surgery, without proper credentials. Over 30 individuals have accused him of falsifying his qualifications, prompting investigations into his training and certifications.

• Broader Hospital Concerns: Reports indicate that Betz’s colleague, Dr. Atiq Rehman, and another physician, Dr. Matos Cruz, were observed watching YouTube videos to learn unfamiliar medical procedures, one of which allegedly led to a patient’s death. This raises systemic concerns about Adena’s cardiology department.

• Coroner Conflict: The Ross County coroner, Ben Trotter, is an Adena employee, prompting Trimble’s family to request an independent autopsy due to potential bias.

Customer Feedback

• Negative Feedback: Trimble’s family, including Vickie Clark, publicly accused Betz of causing her death by cutting her aorta, stating on Facebook, “Adena management you say these are false.. I know dam well my sister died from her aorta being cut by Dr Bets.” Another family member, Tracy Clark McManis, identified Trimble as her aunt and shared allegations of misconduct on a Facebook account dedicated to Adena Health issues.

• No Positive Feedback: No positive reviews or testimonials about Betz’s medical practice are mentioned in the source or related web results. The absence of such feedback may reflect the controversy overshadowing his professional reputation.

• Contextual Note: As a cardiologist, Betz’s “customers” are patients, and feedback is limited to family members’ public statements. No formal patient reviews (e.g., on Healthgrades or Vitals) were cited, likely due to the focus on the lawsuit.

Risk Considerations

• Legal Risk: The ongoing lawsuit from Trimble’s family poses a significant legal threat, potentially resulting in financial penalties or professional sanctions if Betz is found liable. Additional complaints about his credentials could lead to further legal scrutiny.

• Reputational Risk: Public allegations, amplified by media coverage and social media posts, severely damage Betz’s reputation as a competent cardiologist. The YouTube video allegations further erode trust in his expertise.

• Financial Risk: Legal costs, potential settlements, or loss of licensure could impact Betz financially. Adena’s denial of wrongdoing suggests they may cover some liabilities, but personal financial exposure remains possible.

• Professional Risk: Investigations into Betz’s credentials and reported patient deaths could lead to restrictions on his medical license or exclusion from specialized procedures like TAVR.

Business Relations and Associations

• Adena Health System: Betz is employed by Adena Health in Chillicothe, Ohio, where the incident occurred. The hospital defends his credentials but faces scrutiny for its cardiology department’s practices.

• Dr. Atiq Rehman: A second cardiologist involved in Trimble’s case, Rehman attempted a follow-up surgery to stop bleeding but was unsuccessful. He is also implicated in the YouTube video allegations, suggesting a shared professional environment with questionable standards.

• Dr. Matos Cruz: Another Adena physician linked to watching YouTube videos for procedures, indicating systemic issues within the cardiology team.

• Ross County Coroner: Ben Trotter, an Adena employee, conducted the autopsy, raising concerns about impartiality.

Legal and Financial Concerns

• Lawsuit: Trimble’s family filed a lawsuit against Adena Health, alleging Betz’s negligence in cutting an artery during a heart catheterization caused her death. The suit also claims hospital staff misrepresented Trimble’s status by propping her up and falsifying the death certificate time (3:05 p.m. vs. 1:00 p.m. in medical records).

• Credential Investigations: Betz faced prior investigations for performing TAVR procedures without proper qualifications, with reports of at least three such surgeries. Over 30 individuals have accused him of falsifying credentials.

• No Financial Records: No specific records of unpaid debts or bankruptcy are mentioned, but the lawsuit and potential sanctions could create financial burdens.

• Related Incidents: Two other patient deaths on May 8, 2023, at Adena were linked to heart surgeries involving Betz and Rehman, though details are limited.

Risk Assessment Table

Dr. Jarrod Betz, a cardiologist at Adena Health System, faces serious allegations tied to the death of Sheila Sue Trimble during a routine heart catheterization in August 2023. The lawsuit claims Betz’s error—cutting an artery—caused her death, compounded by the hospital’s alleged attempt to deceive the family by staging her body. Prior investigations into Betz’s credentials, particularly for TAVR procedures, and reports of other Adena doctors relying on YouTube for training suggest systemic issues in the hospital’s cardiology department. While Adena denies wrongdoing, the volume of complaints (over 30 individuals accusing Betz of falsifying credentials) and public statements from Trimble’s family indicate significant concerns about his competence and the hospital’s oversight. The lack of positive feedback or recent data on Betz’s practice further complicates assessing his professional reliability.

Patients, colleagues, or institutions considering engagement with Dr. Betz should exercise extreme caution due to the serious allegations of negligence and credential fraud. Verify his current licensure and certifications through the Ohio Medical Board or other regulatory bodies. Request detailed records of his training and procedure outcomes, especially for complex surgeries like TAVR. The lawsuit’s outcome and potential sanctions could further impact his ability to practice, so monitor court developments and media reports. For Adena Health patients, consider seeking second opinions from external cardiologists until the hospital addresses systemic concerns in its cardiology department.