Mayo Clinic Surgery Center Director Charged With Felonies, Removed From Position for Alleged Drug Theft

Valerie Whitehead, director of the surgery center on the Luther campus of the Mayo Clinic Health System Eau Claire (Wis.), has been charged with three felonies and three misdemeanors for allegedly stealing drugs from the hospital, according to a WXOW News report.

Advertisement

Ms. Whitehead was hired in May and was the director of the surgery center. She was immediately removed from patient care when Mayo learned of the allegations. A Mayo spokeswoman said after thorough review, the system believes no patients were harmed.

Ms. Whitehead admitted to taking and using the narcotics starting last month and also allegedly confessed to stealing several hundred vials of Benadryl.

Related Articles on Surgery Centers:
Pennsylvania ASC Profit Margins Far Oustrip Hospitals; State Hospital Association Criticizes ASC Model
Tennessee’s Franklin Endoscopy Center Seeks to Expand, Add Up to 20 Surgeons

At the Becker's 23rd Annual Spine, Orthopedic and Pain Management-Driven ASC + The Future of Spine Conference, taking place June 11-13 in Chicago, spine surgeons, orthopedic leaders and ASC executives will come together to explore minimally invasive techniques, ASC growth strategies and innovations shaping the future of outpatient spine care. Apply for complimentary registration now.

Advertisement

Next Up in Anesthesia

  • As the shortage of physician anesthesiologists across the U.S. becomes more severe, certified-registered nurse anesthetists have emerged as an essential…

  • As of April 6, 2026, CRNAs’ average annual salary is $276,434, according to salary transparency platform Marit Health’s compilation of…

Advertisement

Comments are closed.