The anesthesiologist linked to the recent death of a woman at a med spa has been linked to yet another death in Coppell, according to a 2021 medical negligence lawsuit.

Although Dr. Michael Patrick Gallagher of Frisco was not named as a defendant in the suit, his deposition as a witness in January of this year yielded some troubling information.

As recently covered by The Dallas Express, Gallagher’s license was temporarily suspended by the Texas Medical Board this week due to alleged negligence on his part that may have contributed to 47-year-old Jenifer Cleveland’s death in July. Cleveland died shortly after receiving IV therapy at Luxe Med Spa in Wortham, where Gallagher served as the medical director.

The IV in question was administered by the spa’s owner, Amber Johnson. Gallagher reportedly only visited the spa twice between its opening this year and when Cleveland died.

A recent investigation by NBC 6 unveiled that Gallagher was not actually a board-certified anesthesiologist, despite being named the chief of anesthesiology at Integrity Wellness Center in Coppell. He also testified in his deposition that he was not there the day a separate death occurred in 2021.

Kimberly Ray of Arlington underwent a routine rhizotomy to relieve back pain at Integrity Wellness Center on April 19, 2021. Scott Houghton and Mauro Molina were the two certified registered nurse anesthetists who participated in the procedure, while Dr. Venkateswara Rao Mandava served as the anesthesiologist.

At some point, Ray “stopped breathing … But this went unnoticed until she was rolled over after it ended. She was blue in color, had no heartbeat, and was not breathing,” according to a lawsuit filed by Ray’s family.

First responders from Coppell Fire Department described the scene as “chaotic and disorganized” upon their arrival, with the three individuals attempting but failing to insert a breathing tube into the woman.

Once hospitalized, Ray was found to have suffered severe brain injury due to lack of oxygen and was removed from life support. An autopsy revealed she also had significant injuries to her spinal column that were linked to the procedure.

Gallagher had supervisory duties over the facility and the three medical professionals at the time.

While admitting this in his deposition, Gallagher said that “no practicing anesthesiologist supervises another anesthesiologist,” according to KWTX.

A few months after the incident, a complaint was filed against Gallagher, claiming that he had been “under the influence while performing an anesthetic.” Gallagher explained during his deposition that he suffered from anxiety and depressive episodes, which allegedly drove his substance abuse problems.

He took a leave of absence in September 2021 but was terminated the following month.

While Gallagher is currently suspended pending a formal hearing on Cleveland’s death, Houghton, Molina, and Mandava still hold active medical licenses.

As previously covered by The Dallas Express, Texas lawmakers passed a new law requiring the Texas Medical Board to regularly check for disciplinary action taken against doctors. That law is HB 1998. It came into effect on September 1.