REGINA — A private Moose Jaw-based wellness centre that caters to those suffering from ALS was under the microscope again at the Saskatchewan legislature, following the recent CBC report about the death of one of its clients.
Opposition New Democrats were sounding alarm bells after an American ALS patient, Susie Silvestri, died after spending time at the Dr. Goodenowe Restorative Health Center, run by Dr. Dayan Goodenowe.
The facility has been under scrutiny since previous CBC News investigative reports. The newest concerns stem from the latest CBC News investigation, which reported Silvestri died alone in a hospital in Sidney, Mont., after paying US$84,000 for healing at the Moose Jaw facility.
The contention from the New Democrats was that the Goodenowe clinic provided unlicensed health care to Silvestri.
"She came to Moose Jaw to the Dr. Goodenowe health centre looking for care, looking for health care. She died," said Jared Clarke, NDP Rural and Remote Health critic, on Monday afternoon.
Clarke pointed to the CBC News account of what happened, noting that Silvestri had begged for a feeding tube. He also noted she tried to sell her house to cover the costs.
"She died. This is not health care, this is inhumane. [Monday] in the house, the minister [Health Minister Jeremy Cockrill] said there was nothing he could do about it. I think there is a lot he could do about it – this should not be happening in Saskatchewan."
The government responds
During question period, Cockrill responded to Clarke's government's criticism about the Dr. Goodenowe facility.
"I’ve previously noted – I believe in this House, but certainly in other media opportunities – the Dr. Goodenowe Restorative Health Center has no ties to the Saskatchewan health-care system or services delivered as part of the provincial health-care system, and the operator is not a medical physician.
"As such, this is considered a private business that isn’t inspected or regulated by the Ministry of Health, Mr. Speaker.
"Mr. Speaker, it is the government’s position that the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Saskatchewan has the powers under The Medical Profession Act to mete out any discipline that may be required to this individual, Mr. Speaker. We would encourage the college to do so. Thank you."
Clarke made clear to reporters he did not buy the idea that the Dr. Goodenowe's facility has nothing to do with health. He told reporters people are showing up at Dr. Goodenowe's facility expecting health care to be delivered.
"There is 'health center' on the building. That's what they're claiming this is, health care. And yet the minister is saying there's nothing he could do. I think there are many, many things he could do in terms of regulating this so that nobody in this province goes through what Ms. Silvestri went through."
Complicating matters, it is also unclear whether the College of Physicians and Surgeons even has the power to investigate or discipline someone outside their own profession.
"Here is the grey area," Clarke said. "The minister says he has no role here, but the college doesn't necessarily have a role because Dr. Goodenowe is not a physician in Saskatchewan. So, who's responsible for the health care being delivered at this clinic? The government must step in and make sure that nobody in this province is going to die like Ms. Silvestri did."
In speaking to reporters, Cockrill gave his condolences to the family of Ms. Silvestri. He also said it was important for the government to ensure that "people access high-quality health care through regulated health-care professionals right across this province."
Cockrill said the government will be "formally asking the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Saskatchewan to take a look at this specific situation. We do believe they have that power under The Medical Profession Act."
Also, Cockrill said stemming out of this situation, "given the fact that dollars changed hands and concern services offered by this private business may not have been accurate to the way they were represented to the customer, we will also be directing the Financial and Consumer Affairs Authority to take a look at this specific situation and this specific business, to again to ensure like any business in the province, as you represent goods and services to customers in this province that representation is accurate."
Cockrill did acknowledge there was still work to do to sort things out with the College of Physicians and Surgeons, but he maintained that section 3 of The Medical Profession Act "gives wide-ranging powers to the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Saskatchewan in terms of them carrying out any duty that's required as part of a regulatory body."
As for the official Opposition, there were further developments on Tuesday as Clarke announced he sent a letter that day to the Moose Jaw Police Service to "consider opening a criminal investigation" of Goodenowe, according to his correspondence provided to media.
"I believe there are reasonable grounds here for an investigation and I urge you to act with haste as the Dr. Goodenowe Restorative Health Centre continues to operate and advertise its unproven claims of success to this day," Clarke wrote.
Response from Dr. Goodenowe
Previously, Goodenowe had told MooseJawToday that the centre operates a self-directed research program that offers education, nutritional support and advanced biochemical testing to participants from around the world. In a previous interview, he pointed out that the Restorative Health Centre is not a medical venue and does not replace conventional care, but operates in compliance with provincial and federal laws.
Furthermore, in the same June interview, he said his work isn’t about “curing” anyone but is about restoring clients’ health. He also said he’s never claimed to be, or presented himself, as a medical doctor.
Goodenowe’s website says he is a world-renowned neuroscientist whose supplements and treatment programs can halt the progression of ALS symptoms and put patients on the path to recovery. He also stated in an earlier interview that his research also focuses on reversing the effects of autism.
Goodenowe launched a defamation lawsuit against CBC and one of its reporters over an article about the provider’s services.
When contacted by SaskToday and Moose Jaw Today about the latest controversy, Dr. Goodenowe provided this emailed response Tuesday afternoon:
"First, I want to extend my condolences to the family and loved ones of Ms. Susie Silvestri. Her passing is a tragedy, and nothing in this statement should be taken as a lack of sympathy for those who are grieving."
He said because there is active litigation he could not comment on every detail, but said "several key facts have been misstated in recent media coverage and political remarks and must be clarified."
Goodenowe said Ms. Silvestri had arrived in Moose Jaw from the United States already severely ill with an undiagnosed case of COVID. He said she was immediately admitted to hospital and received medical care.
"Over the three months that followed, while she remained in Moose Jaw, her health and strength improved. By early December, she was medically stable and in better condition than when she arrived," Goodenowe said.
He said their contractual services for Ms. Silvestri were completed on Dec. 6. He also provided further details about her request for a feeding tube.
"Prior to her discharge from the restorative health centre, Susie expressed her desire to have a feeding tube inserted. My centre is not a medical clinic and does not perform surgical procedures such as inserting a feeding tube, so she was referred to the local hospital."
He added it is "our understanding that the licensed medical staff at the local hospital in Moose Jaw reviewed her situation and, because the procedure was not deemed medically necessary, declined to perform it. "
Goodenowe said Silvestri had been deemed of sufficient health to be discharged on Dec. 7.
"Ms. Silvestri then chose to leave that hospital and later travelled to Montana, where she obtained the feeding tube," he stated. "She died several weeks after leaving Moose Jaw."
According to reports, Silvestri died on Dec. 26, 2024, in hospital in Sidney, Mont. Goodenowe contends that the decline in Silvestri's health was not associated with her time in Moose Jaw.
"Any suggestion that her health deteriorated or that she died under our care or under the care of the local staff, in Moose Jaw, or as a result of decisions made by my centre or by Moose Jaw health-care providers is incorrect."
Goodenowe added that the people of Moose Jaw and the hospital staff "provided compassionate and responsible care to a very sick visitor who had nowhere else to go. They should be recognized for the quality of care they delivered, not blamed for events that occurred weeks later and thousands of kilometres away." [Sydney, Mont., is about 400 km away from Moose Jaw – editor's note].
-With files from Jason Antonio.
Editor's note: The initial article was updated to include comments from Dr. Goodenowe.
