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‘No regrets’: Texas nurse who exposed children’s hospital for secretive gender procedures fired, now she’s fighting back

August 20, 2024 | | Print Article

The nurse who blew the whistle on a Texas hospital over its secretive child sex-change program has been fired.

Vanessa Sivadge revealed that Texas Children’s Hospital terminated her employment as “retaliation” for her exposing their alleged cover-up of gender procedures on children using state Medicaid funds. Texas Children’s Hospital has denied the allegations made by Sivadge.

“This past Friday on August 16, TCH fired me effective immediately,” she shared with journalist Chris Rufo.

“This is unlawful for two reasons: it is retaliation for my coming forward with information on TCH’s egregious pattern of deception and Medicaid fraud, and this action also illegally disregarded my request to transfer due to my belief that these procedures bring irreversible harm and lifelong regret to children confused about their sex,” she wrote.

The former TCH nurse requested a transfer out of the endocrinology clinic but after Rufo published her allegations against the hospital in June, she was placed on leave citing “things shared publicly.”

She explained in a fundraising message that she had worked in the endocrine clinic and “had first-hand knowledge of patients being prescribed puberty blockers and cross-sex hormones despite the hospital repeatedly and publicly denying the program’s existence.”

The hospital said it “found no evidence of fraudulent billing” in a statement following a “thorough and comprehensive review” of systems in place.

“Texas Children’s never condones any criminal act. We welcome additional information that may help our internal investigation. It goes without saying that if we uncover any rogue or unauthorized criminal activity, we will take swift action to correct the issue,” the statement read.

“To reiterate, our internal investigation to date has found no basis to substantiate any allegations of Medicaid fraud. All services provided by Texas Children’s were permitted according to Medicaid billing and payment guidelines that were in effect at the time care was provided,” Texas Children’s stated.

“I would like to challenge this in court, but my legal fees are mounting,” Sivadge wrote in her letter.

“I am relying on the public who is generously supporting my legal defense through donations to my Give Send Go. Thank you for your continued support in telling my story, which is saving children’s lives, and encouraging other whistleblowers like me to come forward,” she told Rufo who shared her letter on X.

Sivadge detailed the ordeal in a message on a GiveSendGo page set up to help cover her legal fees.

“Texas Children’s Hospital had previously placed me under investigation and has now fired me. As a result, I have retained legal counsel and any donations will go 100% towards my own legal defense. My excellent team of attorneys are committed to defending me, and I am more committed to this fight than ever before,” she wrote. “The risks have never been higher for whistleblowers who come forward to expose wrongdoing, but when the lives and wellbeing of children are at stake, it is always worth it.”

The latest update from Sivadge sparked an outpouring of support on social media where many called her a hero for her bravery.

Frieda Powers
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