Bad Medicine

In the 1950s the United States launched a witch hunt, and it's not at all what you think.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. 

What would you do when faced with a life-or-death situation? Alferd Packer had to answer this question for himself, and do something that is -- for many -- unthinkable. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. 

When Dr. Christopher Duntsch was ousted from the biotech startup he co-founded, he pursued a new career in medicine as a spinal surgeon. He was inexperienced, inept, and arrogant — but his charm secured glowing reviews and second chances everywhere he went. By the time alarm bell ...  Show more

He wanted a life of opulence and success as a doctor, but failed his way through three different residency programs. So Anthony Pignataro did the next best thing. He took on plastic surgery as an unqualified surgeon... and the results would be deadly. Learn more about your ad cho ...  Show more

After a failed start to his medical career, Dr. J. Marion Sims settled in Alabama to continue his training. There he found success and started his own practice — specializing in the treatment of enslaved women and their children. But as Sims’ business grew, so did his ego. His de ...  Show more

In the 1950s, Thalidomide was rolled out very quickly and what followed was a tragic story that highlighted perils of greed and hidden agendas. This week on Sawbones, Dr. Sydnee and Justin attempt to untangle this murky narrative, and highlight the doctor who heroically kept t ...