A prominent Colorado plastic surgeon, Dr. Geoffrey Kim, has been sentenced to just 15 days behind bars for his role in the tragic death of 18-year-old Emmalyn Nguyen, who underwent a breast augmentation procedure at his Greenwood Village office in 2019.
The sentencing on Thursday, November 16, has sparked outrage and debate over the justice system's handling of medical malpractice cases, as per to Fox News.
Plastic Surgeon Guilty of Manslaughter in Teen's Death
Angeles Borda, a 32-year-old acid attack survivor, is seen after her surgery with Dr. Alan Gonzalez, in Bogota, Colombia on May 30, 2017. Dr. Alan Gonzalez is a Colombian plastic surgeon who provides free operations to women who have been disfigured by acid attacks, through the "Rebuilding Faces" foundation. Acid attacks have been documented in Colombia since the 1990s, but peaked in 2014-2015, before a new law was passed in 2016 to control the sale of the chemicals typically used. / AFP PHOTO / Raul Arboleda
Dr. Kim, 54, was found guilty in June of attempted reckless manslaughter and obstructing telephone services. He was accused of explicitly prohibiting his staff from dialing 911 for hours after Emmalyn Nguyen went into cardiac arrest due to receiving seven times the necessary amount of anesthesia during the procedure. Tragically, Nguyen stopped breathing, and it took Dr. Kim's staff approximately five hours to seek medical assistance.
The Arapahoe County District Court jury, however, acquitted Dr. Kim of the most serious charge against him - negligent homicide. Despite facing the possibility of up to three years in prison, Dr. Kim was handed a 15-day jail sentence, followed by two years of supervised probation.
In addition to his jail time and probation, Dr. Kim must pay roughly $70,000 in fines and complete 120 hours of community service at a facility that provides care for individuals who have suffered brain injuries. Furthermore, Dr. Kim, as part of a wrongful death lawsuit settlement, has agreed to pay $1 million to Nguyen's grieving family.
The tragedy unfolded on August 1, 2019, when Nguyen, a healthy 18-year-old, sought a breast augmentation procedure at Dr. Kim's clinic. However, after being administered excessive anesthesia, she went into cardiac arrest. Dr. Kim attempted CPR but failed to call 911 for help for five critical hours, despite pleas from two nurses on staff.
As a result of this medical negligence, Emmalyn Nguyen suffered severe brain damage, leaving her unable to speak, walk, or feed herself. She required round-the-clock medical care until her tragic passing 14 months later, according to CBS News.
Blame Shift and Neglect in Dr. Kim's Trial
During the trial, Dr. Kim's defense team shifted blame onto nurse Rex Meeker, who had administered the anesthesia. They argued that Meeker had given Nguyen a toxic blend of drugs, including a lethal dose of fentanyl.
Meeker initially faced manslaughter charges but had them dropped in exchange for his testimony at trial. He surrendered his license to administer anesthesia but retained his medical license.
The Nguyen family's lawyer, David Woodruff, emphasized the neglect that Emmalyn endured during the procedure. He stated that she was "left unobserved" for approximately 15 minutes, and her mother, Lynn Fam, was kept in the waiting room, unaware of her daughter's deteriorating condition.
Despite the tragic outcome, the Colorado Medical Board allowed Dr. Kim to continue practicing medicine, stipulating that he inform patients in writing of his conviction. The board did not impose any further restrictions on his practice, sparking concerns about the oversight of medical professionals in the state.
Emmalyn Nguyen's case has drawn significant attention to the need for stricter accountability and oversight in the medical field. While her family and supporters hope that her tragic death will bring justice and closure, questions remain about the adequacy of the sentencing for Dr. Geoffrey Kim and the broader issues surrounding medical malpractice, Mail Online reported.
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