Medical License of a Physician Who Operated on an Oregon Man Whose Face Caught Alight Lapsed a Year Later

The physician, who operated on John Michael Murdoch at the Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) whose face caught alight after alcohol swabbed on his face did not dry before surgery, had his medical license switched to ‘lapsed’ about a year later. His license remains lapsed to date.

Dr Adam Howard is listed as a defendant in a $900,000 lawsuit against the hospital. Oregon Medical Board records indicate that Howard finished his otolaryngology residency in Illinois in 2022 and obtained his Oregon medical license that same year. The status of Howard’s medical license changed to ‘lapsed’ about a year after the operation.

Between 90 and 100 Surgical Fires Occur in the U.S. Every Year

Surgical fires in U.S. hospital operating theaters every year number between 90 and 100, according to the Emergency Care Research Institute. However, many are never reported for fear of lawsuits, investigations, and embarrassment.

Ideal conditions for fire in ORs are the presence of oxygen, fuel, and ignition sources. According to the lawsuit, all three existed in the OHSU OR when Murdoch’s face caught alight.

Murdoch was Awake When His Face Caught Alight

Murdoch (51) was awake when a spark from a surgical tool allegedly set his face on fire. The lawsuit alleged that the tool had a history of sparking. Murdoch was undergoing a tracheostomy in the December 2022 surgery after he was diagnosed with cancer of the tongue.

Murdoch died six months after the operation, which left him with disfiguring scars, wounds, and swelling. His lawyer, Ron Cheng, says in the lawsuit that although Murdoch could not speak clearly, he did express his trauma caused by the burns to his wife, Toni Murdoch.

Murdoch was born in Dallas, Oregon, but spent the bulk of his childhood years in Lincoln County. He lived in Sherwood with his wife and is survived by his parents, brother, and step-children.