CHICAGO, IL -- 300 former patients of Endeavor Health (formerly NorthShore University Health System and Swedish Covenant Hospital and its related entities) have retained the Chicago Law Firm of Stinar Gould Grieco & Hensley, PLLC, to represent them related to allegations that the NorthShore University Health System and Swedish Covenant Hospital medical facilities negligently hired, supervised, and retained a known sexual predator, subjecting hundreds of female patients to sexual abuse under the guise of medical treatment. Former OB/GYN Fabio Ortega was employed by NorthShore and Swedish between 1990 and 2018. He plead guilty to sexually abusing patients in October of 2021. 

The 300 victims are among others who allege NorthShore and Swedish knew of Ortega’s sexually abusive conduct, beginning in the late 90’s, and failed to investigate patient complaints, supervise Ortega, report him to authorities, and terminate his employment. Instead, it is alleged that NorthShore and Swedish chose profits over patient safety, knowingly providing a platform for Ortega to subject hundreds of vulnerable female patients such as young Hispanic women to unnecessary and/or extended vaginal and breast examinations, among other forms of sexual abuse. 

The victims’ attorney, Parker Stinar, Managing Partner of Stinar Gould Grieco & Hensley, PLLC, released the following statement:

"NorthShore and Swedish ignored decades of patients’ complaints and continued to employ a sexual predator, placing profits over people, and subjecting hundreds of patients to sexual abuse. We have heard this story before where large, billion-dollar healthcare systems ignore complaints of sexual abuse and instead continue to employ a sexual predator, granting them unfettered access to patients. Across the country, sadly, we have seen institutions refuse to change their practices until they are held accountable for their inaction. That inadequate response of institutionally turning a blind eye to patient harm is the sad standard that has been set. Ortega is not the first doctor to exploit his position of power over patients, and NorthShore is not the first institution to enable a doctor to do so. In 2021, USC paid $852 million to 710 women who were sexually abused by OBGYN Dr. George Tyndall. In 2022, Columbia University paid $165 million to 147 women who were sexually abused by OBGYN Dr. Robert Hadden. Our clients demand their day in court to hold NorthShore, Swedish, and Endeavor civilly and morally accountable. 

Institutions like these healthcare providers are responsible for providing a safe and supportive environment for patients. There is no place for the vile and disturbing ignored complaints that have taken place within the Endeavor Health network. We applaud the courage of these women who were brave enough to speak out about their experiences in the hope of ending sexual abuse under the guise of medical care at Endeavor and elsewhere. We are thoroughly investigating these claims to bring light to what occurred here and, hopefully, bring some form of justice to the victims. We encourage anyone who may have information related to this matter to contact our law firm."

The attorneys will discuss survivor experiences and harms, legal theories, and a demand for justice during a press conference on Tuesday, March 26 at 9:30 a.m. CT, at the law office of Stinar Gould Grieco & Hensley, PLLC (101 N. Wacker Dr., Chicago, IL 60601). Media are asked to arrive early to set up.

Press Conference Details:

Date: Tuesday, March 26, 2024
Time: 9:30 a.m. CT
Location: Stinar Gould Grieco & Hensley, PLLC, 101 N. Wacker Dr., Chicago, IL 60601

Parker Stinar, Managing Partner of Stinar Gould Grieco & Hensley, PLLC, has represented hundreds of survivors who have been abused under the guise of medical care, and has participated in and led similar cases against Michigan State’s Dr. Larry Nassar and University of Michigan’s Dr. Robert Anderson. Currently, Mr. Stinar is representing dozens of survivors of abuse against Northwestern University for allegations of sexualized hazing. 

Mr. Stinar has participated in nearly a billion dollars in global settlements on behalf of survivors of sexual abuse under the guise of medical treatment. He and his partner Symone Shinton, also a survivor of sexual abuse, will discuss the negligence and civil liability the defendants face. 

If you are a former patient of Dr. Fabio Ortega who experienced sexual or physical abuse at Swedish Covenant Hospital, NorthShore University Health System, or Endeavor Health, or have any information, please contact Stinar Gould Grieco & Hensley, PLLC (justice@SGGHLaw.com ; www.sgghlaw.com ) to discuss your legal rights. Media inquiries, please contact lynn@lynnsmithtv.com. 

About Stinar Gould Grieco & Hensley, PLLC

Stinar Gould Grieco & Hensley is a prestigious, boutique national personal injury firm dedicated to advocating for victims of abuse and catastrophic injuries in high-stakes litigation. We pride ourselves on being Innovators of Law and Providers of Justice. Our attorneys have litigated and won cases nationwide, representing thousands of individuals. Recent successes include participating in global settlements valued at nearly $3 billion. For more information, visit https://www.sgghlaw.com.

Media Contact

Lynn Smith
+1 646-717-0354
lynn@lynnsmithtv.com