Federal Whistleblower Alleges Retaliation and Systemic Misconduct at Phoenix Indian Medical Center

PHOENIX - EntSun -- PHOENIX, AZ — Kevin D. Turnage, a senior federal employee and credentialed nursing leader at the Phoenix Indian Medical Center (PIMC), has formally reported acts of whistleblower retaliation and systemic misconduct within the Indian Health Service (IHS), part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). His allegations include suppression of policy disclosures, noncompliance with patient safety standards, and administrative reprisal for reporting violations through protected federal channels.

Turnage, who serves as the hospital's Policy and Procedures Officer (GS-0610-12), alleges that PIMC leadership circumvented established governance protocols by approving at least 47 hospital policies outside the formal policy management structure. He also disclosed that sentinel events—the most serious category of adverse patient outcomes—were intentionally suppressed, potentially violating Joint Commission accreditation standards and CMS Conditions of Participation.

After raising these concerns internally and through external oversight bodies—including HHS Office of Inspector General (OIG), the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO), and Members of Congress—Turnage was removed from his policy responsibilities, placed on investigative leave without charges, and excluded from hospital operations.

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"Rather than investigate or correct the violations I reported, agency leadership isolated and retaliated against me," Turnage stated. "This is not just about my career—it's about the safety of patients and the integrity of federal healthcare systems."

Turnage is a certified federal whistleblower, previously recognized by the U.S. Office of Special Counsel (OSC) for disclosures made at the Memphis VA Medical Center in 2016. He currently has two active whistleblower retaliation cases before OSC: DI-25-001542 and MA-25-004957. However, he reports lack of meaningful action from OSC, stating that one disclosure file was closed and the PPP retaliation complaint remains unresolved.

Turnage has now submitted a full report to the following Congressional oversight bodies:

- Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs

- U.S. House Committee on Oversight and Accountability

- Senate Judiciary Committee

He is calling for Congressional investigation and enforcement of federal whistleblower protections, including independent review by HHS, GAO, and OSC.