Member Paul has decided to let the cat out of the bag. I move his post to the front. This comes as no surprise to me after watching denial get wider than de Mekong.
I was a patient of Ellis-Billingsley back in January – February, 1995, having been hospitalized for a suicide attempt while under “investigation” for a supposed act of misconduct.
I refuse to address her as Doctor in this statement because I know she is something less than an ethical doctor. The first day in Madigan (5-North) she came into my room and grabbed my rank located on my collar and shook it while stating your General is going to bust you in rank. I thought “OMG”, is this the type of care I am going to receive? I was already paranoid enough, not sure who to trust, and just generally scared. I felt terrified by Ellis-Billingsley. Who could I complain to about her conduct? The MEDCOM IG? Who would believe a psychiatric patient in a closed room with a “stellar” doctor assaulting a patient? She put misinformation into my psychiatric records that has never been substantiated by any other doctor or mental health professional.
In the meantime, the DOD-IG was conducting a review of an IG complaint which was later substantiated that a BG and several of his colonel cronies had engaged in ethical misconduct. They were stupid enough to put certain informtion in writing and as an NCO, I felt obligated to report it. Of course, the BG and his cronies were never punished in any way for their ethical misconduct, which in my opinion was pretty serious. I
Now, so many years later to see she has resigned is great news for the military community.
She now has the shoe on the other foot and sees that “all the investigations are a charade as the outcome has been predetermined.” If she had one ounce of personal self-worth, she would have stayed and fought the battle. Instead of continuing to milk the system, thank goodness she ran and cried like a little baby.
Luckily, I finished my military career, but ended up rated as totally and permanently disabled by the VA. Her lack of soldier care, lack of concern for my mental health, and her unbelievable misconduct by physically grabbing my uniform and shaking me remains with me to this day. How she ever reached the rank of LTC is beyond me, although I have my ideas.
It is sad to see so many years later she is (was) impacting the lives of soldiers. I can only wish my fellow soldiers the very best and to let you know the experiences I had under her care. Yes, I think the “system” is definitely flawed and only takes your personal resolve, persistance, and patience to obtain the desired outcome.
Good riddance Ellis-Billingsley for all that you did to me and other mental health soldiers.
asknod
Bethanie Spangenberg
kcraveiro
robinhoodesqvetsatty
Wesley McCauley
Veterans Claims Help 
Wow, talk about “personality disorders”–Thanks for sharing your story.
_________________________________________
Last night I was thinking long and hard about the HCV military demographics and the DOD decision to stop using jet injections in 1997. Low and behold, new HCV military cases dropped off. Now THAT action was a HCV prevention strategy par excellence. It worked! Other factors probably helped too.
The CDC recommend using a HCV screening model is age-based: baby boomers.
I think that an association needs to be formed for lobbying for SC presumption for HCV for all veterans who received vaccinations by jet injections and/or served in South East Asia in any war there.
Something like the Blue Water Navy Vietnam Association but not a non-profit. Perhaps such an association already exists. If so, please share the info. here. I’m willing to work on this in the summer. I can create a blog with a tight focus: what medical devices/procedures were used on military personnel veterans that put them at risk for HCV infections during a certain period?
Post links to scientific literature etc. Identify those in Congress most likely to sponsor/support legislation favorable to this cause. But getting organized is the only way I can think of that will effect change for afflicted vets and their families and the Internet can facilitate the way it happens. The situation is critical. Why? Vets are sick and dying. Some still don’t know their status. The VA only gives expensive anti-viral meds to about 15% of HCV vets. If they have access to private care, they have another option.
Feedback on this idea would be appreciated.