A panel of the Montana State Medical Board has unanimously revoked the medical license of Dr. Thomas Weiner, a former oncologist in Helena, following serious accusations of misconduct and patient harm. The decision, made on February 2, 2024, prohibits Weiner from practicing medicine in Montana after investigators found he breached professional conduct standards.
The board’s adjudication panel reviewed findings that indicated Weiner provided improper care to at least seven patients. This included one patient who died from chemotherapy-related toxicity despite not having a confirmed cancer diagnosis. Another patient remained under Weiner’s care for years, receiving opioid prescriptions without a cancer diagnosis.
Jennifer Stallkamp, legal counsel for the Montana State Medical Board, stated, “Dr. Weiner is permanently prohibited from practicing medicine in Montana and agrees he will not seek licensure as a physician in Montana in the future.” During Friday’s meeting, Stallkamp emphasized that while Weiner disputes some allegations, he acknowledged that the board possesses sufficient evidence to support its findings.
Weiner, who has not commented on the board’s decision or the investigation, previously faced significant scrutiny. St. Peter’s Health terminated his employment in 2020, citing multiple incidents of inappropriate patient care. These incidents included failures to follow state and federal laws regarding narcotic prescriptions and a lack of referrals to other specialists.
The medical board’s revocation of Weiner’s license follows a tumultuous period for the doctor, during which he received community support despite serious allegations against him. Signs proclaiming “WE STAND WITH DR. TOM WEINER” were common in Helena, reflecting the affection many residents held for him after over two decades of service as the region’s primary oncologist.
In March 2024, Weiner and his wife announced plans to sell their Helena home to relocate closer to family. His license had been renewed for a two-year term less than a year prior to the revocation, a decision that frustrated former patients and their families who had raised concerns about his medical practices.
The controversy surrounding Weiner intensified after an extensive investigation by the news outlet ProPublica, which uncovered a series of suspicious patient deaths linked to his care. In light of these findings, the Montana Department of Justice has since opened a criminal inquiry into his practices, although no charges have been filed yet.
During the recent hearing, Stallkamp presented specific accounts of substandard care, detailing instances where Weiner failed to document crucial patient information or adequately assess their treatment plans. One patient, referred to as Patient 1, was noted for having undergone chemotherapy despite testing that did not confirm cancer. This patient subsequently died from complications associated with the treatment.
Lisa Warwick, the widow of Scot Warwick—one of the patients whose case was discussed during the hearing—expressed relief at the board’s decision. She stated that the outcome provides a sense of justice for families who suffered due to Weiner’s practices. “It does bring some justice, maybe a little bit of justice, to the victims and their families, just knowing that he won’t be able to do that anymore,” Warwick said.
In August 2024, St. Peter’s Health reached an $11 million settlement with the federal government regarding billing practices connected to Weiner’s care. The hospital had provided over 100,000 pages of records to the medical board, which likely prompted further investigation into Weiner’s conduct.
The Montana State Department of Labor and Industry, which oversees medical licensing, has not commented on the timeline of its investigation into Weiner’s practices. As the situation continues to evolve, the medical community and patients alike remain vigilant regarding the implications of this decision on healthcare standards in Montana.
