Asante Settles Drug Diversion Lawsuits After RN Scandal - OR

MEDFORD, Oregon — Asante health system has quietly resolved the majority of civil lawsuits connected to one of the largest alleged drug diversion cases in recent Oregon history, according to reporting by the Rogue Valley Times. Former Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center ICU nurse Dani Marie Schofield, 37, stands accused of systematically replacing patients' liquid fentanyl with non-sterile tap water, a scheme that allegedly harmed scores of patients and contributed to multiple deaths.

Settlement Details Remain Under Wraps

At least two law firms that filed the largest volume of cases against both Schofield and Asante confirmed to the Rogue Valley Times this week that most claims have been resolved through negotiation, though representatives could not share specifics due to non-disclosure agreements. The civil lawsuits originally sought more than $500 million in combined damages, as reported by the Rogue Valley Times.

Central Point attorney Justin Idiart, who filed the first civil suit to publicly identify Schofield back in February 2024, told the Rogue Valley Times on Wednesday that "most of our clients have settled their claims" but would not elaborate on terms. Idiart's initial filing sought $11.5 million on behalf of the estate of 65-year-old Horace "Buddy" Wilson, a father of six who reportedly contracted a fatal infection after a fall from a ladder required surgical removal of his spleen.

Asante spokesperson Desirae Myers declined to address the settlements directly, providing a written statement to the Rogue Valley Times: "As shared previously, we do not comment on active legal matters."

Criminal Case Moves Toward Trial

While the civil matters wind down, Schofield's criminal prosecution continues. She faces 44 counts of second-degree assault and appeared Monday before Jackson County Circuit Court Judge Jeremy Markiewicz for a status hearing focused on jury selection logistics and other pre-trial matters, according to the Rogue Valley Times.

Schofield was arrested in June 2024, approximately 11 months after leaving her position at the Medford hospital, as reported by the Rogue Valley Times. She entered not guilty pleas on all charges and was released after posting ten percent of a $4 million bond. Her criminal trial is expected to begin in September 2026.

Though the criminal indictment names 44 victims, the scope of alleged harm extends far beyond those cases. According to the Rogue Valley Times, Asante officials initially contacted more than 100 former patients who survived — along with families of those who did not — after Medford police announced the hospital investigation in December 2023.

The civil cases were stayed by Jackson County Circuit Court Judge Benjamin Bloom in September 2024, meaning discovery could not proceed while the criminal matter remained active, as reported by the Rogue Valley Times. Attorneys representing plaintiffs indicated they pursued settlements as aggressively as possible despite those procedural delays.

The Scope of Alleged Harm

The allegations against Schofield describe a deeply disturbing pattern of conduct. Drug diversion — the practice of healthcare workers stealing medications intended for patients — represents one of the most serious forms of patient endangerment in clinical settings. When controlled substances such as fentanyl are replaced with non-sterile substitutes, patients face a dual threat: uncontrolled pain from missing their prescribed medication and potential infection from contaminated replacement fluids.

Federal and state regulations require hospitals to maintain strict controlled substance tracking systems, and the Drug Enforcement Administration mandates detailed chain-of-custody documentation for Schedule II substances like fentanyl. The Asante case has raised questions about how the alleged diversion continued undetected and what monitoring systems were in place at the Medford facility.

The case bears similarity to other high-profile drug diversion incidents that have prompted hospitals nationwide to strengthen their medication management protocols. Healthcare systems have increasingly turned to automated dispensing systems, surveillance technology, and routine drug testing of staff to prevent diversion.

Ownership & Operations

Asante is a nonprofit health system headquartered in Medford, Oregon, operating three hospitals in southern Oregon: Rogue Regional Medical Center in Medford, Three Rivers Medical Center in Grants Pass, and Ashland Community Hospital. The system serves as the primary healthcare provider for much of the Rogue Valley region. The drug diversion allegations have represented one of the most significant legal and reputational challenges in the organization's history, with civil claims originally exceeding half a billion dollars before the recent wave of settlements.

Resources for Families

Patients and families who believe they may have been affected by medication diversion or other forms of care negligence at any healthcare facility have several avenues for reporting concerns and seeking assistance.

The National Long-Term Care Ombudsman Resource Center can be reached at 1-800-677-1116 and serves as a critical resource for individuals navigating complaints about care quality. Additional information is available at [ltcombudsman.org](https://ltcombudsman.org).

For Oregon residents specifically, concerns about hospital care can be reported to the Oregon Health Authority and the Oregon State Board of Nursing, which oversees nursing licenses and can investigate allegations of professional misconduct. Families affected by suspected drug diversion should also consider consulting with an attorney experienced in medical malpractice and patient rights, as statutes of limitations apply to civil claims.

Anyone who suspects ongoing drug diversion or patient harm at a healthcare facility should report it immediately to local law enforcement and the facility's administration.