The app for independent voices
Webinar: Hospital COVID Protocols: The Grace Schara Case. IMA Co-Founders Dr. Paul Marik and Dr. Joseph Varon are joined by Scott Schara and attorney Warner Mendenhall to discuss medical advocacy, advance directives, and hospital accountability. By Independent Medical Alliance (07/06/25, article + video 01:20:46)
ED NOTE
What is the difference between DNI (Do Not Intubate) and DNR (Do Not Resuscitate)?
If you’re like most people, you don’t know. And not knowing could mean the difference between walking out of the hospital alive and being rolled out dead.Following a livestreamed trial in which Grace Schara’s family sued for her death in the Ascension Hospital system in Wisconsin, the secret of hospital medical failures — some likely intentional — no longer can be swept under the gurney. Although her family lost the court case against the hospital, Grace Schara’s tragic death was not in vain.
Even if you watched the trial, you’ll find the article and video informative should you or a family member ever have to undergo hospitalization.
Bottom line: Be prepared. Avoid hospitals if you can. If you cannot, insist on having correct paperwork describing the patient’s wishes, and a medical advocate for the patient at all times.
__________
Summary (Grok ai, edited; images from article and GraceSchara .com)
The Grace Schara case highlights systemic failures in hospital care during the COVID-19 pandemic and even today.
Nineteen-year-old Grace (who had Down Syndrome) died in a Wisconsin hospital in October 2021 due to mismanaged medication protocols, miscommunication, and misinterpreted advance directives.
Her father, Scott Schara, attorney Warner Mendenhall, and IMA co-founders Dr. Paul Marik and Dr. Joseph Varon, discuss the case’s implications for medical advocacy, hospital accountability, and patient rights.
Although the family lost the landmark lawsuit in June 2025, the case highlighted why clear communication, advance directives, and independent medical advocacy are an absolute minimum to avoid such tragedies.
Key Issues in Grace Schara’s Case
Communication Failures: Limited bedside access for family, poor internal communication about medication reactions, some arrogant hospital staff, and delayed access to medical records.
Advance Directives Misunderstandings: Grace’s “Do Not Intubate” (DNI) order was misinterpreted as “Do Not Resuscitate” (DNR), leading to inadequate care.
Medication Mismanagement: Administration of sedatives despite known allergies and a fatal dose of morphine when Grace’s blood pressure had crashed killed her.
Lessons for Patients and Families
Understand Medical Terms: Clarify meanings of DNR and DNI to avoid misinterpretation.
Prepare Advance Directives: Create living wills and advance directives while healthy, specifying preferences for treatments like ventilation or CPR. (The article includes links to forms.)
Appoint an Advocate: Choose a trusted, independent medical advocate to represent your wishes if incapacitated.
Recommendations for Patient Empowerment
Change the mindset of blindly trusting medical professionals.
Establish relationships with independent advocates outside hospital systems.
Use resources including graceschara.com, freedomcounsel.org, IMA’s Hospital Guide (tinyurl.com/mv5afybe) and Provider Directory (tinyurl.com/mwt9tkby) for support.
More Resources:
Big E Resources page > Health: tinyurl.com/mwm83rpn
