Dr. Ritchell Dignam, MD

As CMO of VNSNY Hospice, you were made aware of the gross negligence that occurred at our home during evaluation of my bedridden husband 4/21/2020. You were made aware that Lisa Malcolm RN behaved inappropriately by influencing the on-call Doctor Balachuk to rescind services after they were initially approved - not to mention she raised her voice to me in my home. You recommended another evaluation which was conducted by Dustin this week. Both evaluations were conducted without my husband being examined by either nurse. Dustin’s stethoscope remained on his neck rather than being used to listen to my husband’s heart and lungs. As you know, there is a pandemic, and we are unable to obtain another physician to make a "house call" as you mandated. As a practicing physician in NY for over 45 years, I have never seen such brazen disrespect for the sanctity of life. What happened twice at our home should never occur to anyone needing end-of-life care.