Dr. J. Steve Bynon Jr., a respected transplant surgeon in Texas, is under investigation for allegedly manipulating a government database to render some of his patients ineligible for liver transplants.

Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center, where Dr. Bynon led the liver and kidney transplant programs, has shut down these programs amid the probe.

The hospital found evidence that Dr. Bynon had altered records to deny patients transplants. It’s unclear why he may have done this.

Memorial Hermann has a small liver transplant program, with a disproportionate number of patients dying while waiting for transplants.

Both the US Department of Health and Human Services and the United Network for Organ Sharing are investigating the allegations, DNYUZ has reported.

Patients may have been listed as accepting donors that were impossible matches, rendering them unable to receive transplants without their knowledge.

The closure of the programs at Memorial Hermann is unusual, and efforts are underway to assist affected patients in finding alternative care.

Written by B.C. Begley