Renowned Surgeon’s Expertise Draws Patients Nationwide
A recognized figure in the medical community, Dr. Hartzell has made a name for himself as a specialist in intricate surgical procedures. In an email, Hartzell described his role as a “highly specialized surgeon” catering to patients both from Nebraska and across the United States. His extensive training includes a medical degree from Duke University School of Medicine, a plastic surgery residency at Harvard, a fellowship at UCLA Medical Center, and an internship at Massachusetts General Hospital. Hartzell’s biography notes his status as “likely the busiest replantation surgeon in the upper Midwest,” and one of the few performing a specialized reconstructive wrist surgery.
Hartzell is also adept at treating athletes, according to his professional biography. A feature in The Norfolk Daily News by Faith Health highlighted a patient’s positive experience under his care, emphasizing his significant impact.
High Earnings Among Nebraska’s Top Medical Professionals
In 2024, three physicians from Faith Hospital, including Hartzell, earned over $1 million, as reported by ProPublica. Both Hartzell and Rzouq surpassed the earnings of notable figures such as Creighton University’s former basketball coach, Greg McDermott, and James Linder, the Nebraska Medical Center’s former CEO.
Patient Experiences and Legal Challenges
Ed Nierodzik, a former patient of Dr. Rzouq, recounted limited interactions with the doctor during his hospital stay, despite having been admitted for a week due to prolonged bleeding. While Rzouq managed to stop the bleeding, Nierodzik noted that an additional procedure was performed without prior discussion. “There was no, ‘You need to do this, you need to do that,’” Nierodzik remarked. “It was simply, ‘This is what I did.’” The experience left him questioning the necessity of the procedure.
In another instance, a lawsuit settled in 2021 accused Rzouq of inadequate management of a patient’s care, resulting in the man’s death. The lawsuit alleged negligence in handling the patient’s risk for pancreatitis post-procedure. Rzouq and the hospital refuted these claims, maintaining that Rzouq adhered to the standard of care. The settlement did not equate to an admission of liability, as indicated by court documents.
Rzouq’s compensation, $1.4 million in 2018, was brought into question during legal proceedings. His dual roles, including a position at a South Dakota clinic, were highlighted, raising questions about workload and financial motivations. By 2024, his earnings had significantly increased.
Compensation and Recruitment in Rural Healthcare
Faith Hospital, alongside the Nebraska Hospital Association and the AGA, attributed high physician salaries to the challenges of attracting talent to rural areas. Kim from the AGA Institute explained, “In such areas, hospitals may offer significantly higher compensation than average” to attract qualified professionals. This sentiment was echoed by Blecher, the hospital’s COO, who noted the extensive reach of their specialty physicians as a factor in their compensation.
Other nonprofit hospitals in rural Nebraska, such as Mary Lanning Healthcare and Great Plains Regional Health, also reported high salaries for certain physicians, though none matched Faith’s figures. Mary Lanning Healthcare compensated a Hastings orthopedic surgeon $1.9 million, while Great Plains Regional Health in North Platte paid a neurosurgeon about $2 million. Regional West Physicians Clinic in Scottsbluff paid a neurosurgeon approximately $1.7 million.
