A Lorain County woman is suing Case Western Reserve University and a nationally known surgeon after her husband died during a routine dental procedure in 2023. The case is now moving forward with both a civil lawsuit and an upcoming disciplinary hearing before the Ohio State Dental Board.
The wrongful death suit, filed by Brandy Miller in Cuyahoga County, alleges that Dr. Faisal Quereshy caused the death of her husband, 48-year-old Matthew Miller, during an operation at the Visage Surgical Institute in Medina. Matthew was placed on life support after the procedure and died on August 8, 2023.
The Board claims Miller’s death was the result of “acute hypoxic respiratory failure as a result of procedural sedation.” According to medical journals, this occurs when the body fails to receive adequate oxygen. Court filings allege Quereshy “pushed” for the use of general anesthesia despite Miller’s health risks, including morbid obesity, which made him more vulnerable to breathing complications.
The Board further alleges Quereshy administered multiple medications without pauses to evaluate effectiveness, placed a throat pack, and began surgery within minutes. Miller then went into cardiac arrest. In addition, the Board accuses Quereshy of failing to administer reversal agents that could have countered the narcotics and benzodiazepines used during sedation.
It also claims he “assigned a research fellow who is not licensed to practice dentistry in Ohio” to act in a clinical role and later allowed changes to Miller’s anesthesia records. Quereshy has denied these allegations in court documents.
Quereshy, regarded by many peers as a highly skilled and internationally recognized surgeon, is a professor of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at Case Western Reserve University. He also served as president of the American Board of Facial Cosmetic Surgery between 2023 and 2024.
His attorneys, including Brian Gannon of Reminger Co. L.P.A., insist the allegations remain unproven. “The allegations in the Board’s Notice of Opportunity are just that, allegations. These allegations have not been proven or established as fact,” Gannon said in a statement.
Case Western has also denied responsibility, stating that Miller was not under its care. Quereshy’s disciplinary hearing before the Ohio State Dental Board is scheduled for October 22–28 in Columbus, where his license and professional future could be on the line.