Saskatchewan Health Minister Calls for Urgent Probe into Controversial ALS Facility

URGENT UPDATE: Saskatchewan’s Health Minister, Jeremy Cockrill, has just announced a formal request for an investigation into the controversial Dr. Goodenowe Restorative Health Center in Moose Jaw, following shocking revelations from a recent CBC report. This action comes after serious allegations regarding the facility’s unverified claims about treating ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis) and its troubling impact on patients.

The investigation request was prompted by intense scrutiny from the provincial NDP regarding the center’s operations. Notably, the facility, run by Dayan Goodenowe—who lacks medical credentials—has boldly claimed a “100 percent success rate” in halting ALS progression. Such assertions have raised alarms among health officials, particularly after the tragic case of Susie Silvestri, a 70-year-old American, who died in December 2024 after paying $84,000 USD for treatment that allegedly worsened her condition.

In a letter sent earlier this week, Deputy Minister of Health, Tracey Smith, expressed serious concerns over the center’s practices, stating, “The ministry is concerned about this individual and private business engaging in what appears to be the unauthorized practice of medicine.” The government is urging the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Saskatchewan (CPSS) to investigate whether Goodenowe is violating medical regulations.

Silvestri’s heartbreaking journey began last year when she sold her North Carolina home to participate in the center’s three-month live-in program, believing Goodenowe’s treatment could restore her health. Instead, her condition deteriorated, forcing her to flee back to the U.S. in a rented ambulance for life-saving surgery that was not covered by her insurance in Canada. Tragically, she died alone in a Montana hospital just four months after engaging with the center.

The Health Minister’s call for an investigation reflects growing concerns over consumer protection, especially given that the center operates outside the provincial healthcare system and employs no licensed medical professionals. Cockrill has also directed the Financial and Consumer Affairs Authority of Saskatchewan to probe the center’s marketing claims and business practices.

“We need to ensure that the services offered by this private business are accurately represented,” Cockrill stated in the legislature. “It is critical for patient safety and consumer trust that we investigate these alarming claims.”

Goodenowe’s facility has faced scrutiny before, with multiple clients alleging they were misled about the efficacy of treatments. Previous reports highlighted similar grievances from clients who did not experience the promised benefits, with many having to seek traditional medical interventions shortly after their stays.

The CBC report has prompted questions about the regulatory framework governing such facilities. While the CPSS has been asked to take action, it has previously stated it lacks jurisdiction over non-doctors like Goodenowe, leading to confusion about enforcement.

As of now, the CPSS has not publicly responded to the Health Minister’s request for an investigation, leaving former clients like Teresa Sando, whose husband also sought treatment at the center, anxious for accountability. “There should be someone enforcing the law,” she remarked, highlighting the distress caused by the center’s operations and the lack of regulatory oversight.

WHAT’S NEXT? The regulatory bodies are expected to act swiftly in response to these grave concerns. The public will be watching closely for updates on the investigation and potential repercussions for the Dr. Goodenowe Restorative Health Center. As this story develops, it underscores the urgent need for transparency and accountability in health care practices, particularly those that promise to cure debilitating diseases like ALS.

Stay tuned for more updates on this critical situation impacting patients across Saskatchewan and beyond.