FBI Conducting New Investigation Into Vanderbilt University Medical Center
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The FBI has conducted multiple interviews at Vanderbilt University Medical Center over the past 18 months. The new ongoing investigation seems to center on VUMC’s orthopedics department, according to two individuals who have been interviewed by federal agents.
Both sources say that additional FBI interviews took place among their colleagues. Both spoke to the Scene on the condition of anonymity, citing professional concerns.
The VUMC health system runs seven hospitals in Middle Tennessee, anchored by the Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital and Vanderbilt University Hospital in Nashville. VUMC is the largest non-governmental employer in Tennessee, claiming more than 40,000 employees and a reported 3.2 million patient visits in 2023. The health system is legally and financially independent from Vanderbilt University as of April 2016.
Rick Wright chairs VUMC’s orthopedics department and serves as VUMC’s chief medical officer for clinical affairs. At least three employees have alleged workplace mistreatment by Wright.
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Those interviewed say the current investigation is unrelated to a separate FBI investigation into VUMC’s alleged sharing of health records of transgender patients confirmed last year. Instead, agents’ questioning has focused on the orthopedics department, which oversees muscle, joint and bone health care, including certain joint replacement devices from medical manufacturer DJO (since rebranded to Enovis) provided by local distributor Music City Orthopaedics.
In a lawsuit filed in March, former VUMC employee Chris Hoedt describes a financial conflict of interest involving orthopedic surgeon Gregory Polkowski and certain knee, hip and shoulder joint replacements.
“These devices were sold to VUMC and to [Vanderbilt Wilson County Hospital] through a manufacturer’s representative with whom Dr. Polkowski had a relationship that allowed him to receive compensation in the form of consulting fees and royalties when DJO devices were used in the surgeries he performed,” Hoedt’s initial complaint reads. “The exact relationship Dr. Polkowski and others in the Vanderbilt Department of Orthopaedic Surgery had with this manufacturer’s representative is not known, but Dr. Hoedt was pressured to use these devices, with Dr. Polkowski stating that while he could not force him to use the devices that if he ‘wanted to be a team player,’ he would.”
Federal agents have also collected documentation — including recordings and photographic evidence — as part of the investigation. Based on the investigation, the U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Tennessee will choose whether to bring charges against VUMC on behalf of the federal government.
In a conversation with the Scene, a spokesperson for the U.S. Attorney’s office declined to comment on the matter, but did not deny an ongoing investigation. VUMC did not return the Scene’s request for comment.
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