Concerns about organ donation procedures arose when a Kentucky man Anthony Thomas “TJ” Hoover II appeared to wake up moments before his organs were to be removed. The incident sparked chaos in the operating room and led to a broader investigation into hospital practices.
Unexpected Movement in the Operating Room
Anthony Thomas “TJ” Hoover II, the organ donor, started moving and visibly crying, causing alarm among the medical staff. According to Natasha Miller, an employee at Kentucky Hospital, the donor was being prepped for organ retrieval when the unsettling events occurred. Despite being certified brain dead, Hoover appeared alive to her.
Miller recalled the moment, saying, “He was moving around—kind of thrashing. You could see he had tears coming down. He was visibly crying.”
Doctors Refuse to Proceed with the Surgery
The unexpected movement caused further chaos, as the two doctors present at Baptist Health Hospital in Richmond, Kentucky, refused to continue with the organ retrieval. Miller described the scene as chaotic, with everyone deeply upset.
“The procuring surgeon said, ‘I’m out of it. I don’t want to have anything to do with it,'” Miller shared.
Tensions Rise Among Medical Staff
Miller also revealed that the case coordinator for Kentucky Organ Donor Affiliates (KODA) was in a tense situation. The coordinator called her supervisor for advice on how to proceed. According to Miller, the supervisor urged the coordinator to find another doctor, as the surgery had to continue. However, the coordinator, visibly upset, explained that there were no other available doctors.
Ongoing Investigation
The case of Anthony Thomas “TJ” Hoover II is currently under investigation by both state and federal officials. Whistleblower Nyckoletta Martin, who was employed by Kentucky Organ Donor Affiliates at the time, has provided detailed observations in a letter to the US House of Representatives, shedding more light on the alarming incident.