Protesters during a rally at Churchill Square in support of trans youth in Alberta following the 'Sing With Love' concert at McDougall United Church, on Feb. 11, 2024, in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. (Artur Widak/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Sivadge told lawmakers that she had witnessed "disturbing trends and concerning practices" relating to the treatment of children diagnosed with gender dysphoria. She also said that she "observed the powerful and irreversible effects" of treatments that patients were told were "lifesaving."
"I witnessed firsthand how doctors emotionally blackmailed parents by telling them that if they did not affirm their child’s false identity, their child would harm themselves. In particular, I was saddened to see young girls suffering from profound mental health struggles like depression and anxiety, many of whom had also suffered sexual abuse or trauma, persuaded by doctors at Texas Children’s that a hormone would resolve their gender confusion," Sivadge told lawmakers.
HHS memo reminds hospitals and providers about Trump's policies forbidding child mutilation. (Getty Images)
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In her testimony, Sivadge said that federal agents came to her home when investigating the whistleblower, now known to be Haim, because of her objections to transgender medicine. She described the interaction as intimidating and said that one of the special agents "effectively asked me to compromise my Christian beliefs and made veiled threats regarding my career and safety if I didn’t comply with their demands."
Sivadge's attorney filed a complaint with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) on April 11, alleging that she "observed TCH doctors, after very little deliberation or critical analysis, embarking children on dangerous and often irreversible courses of ‘gender-affirming’ treatment."
According to the complaint, TCH "temporarily" paused "gender-affirming services" for minors after Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton said in February 2022 that such treatments could constitute child abuse. The treatments were banned in the state following the passage of a bill in May 2023, which went into effect in September 2023. According to Sivadge's attorney, she asked to be transferred back to cardiology in May 2024, citing her religious beliefs.
Sivadge publicly blew the whistle on TCH on June 18, 2024, and was asked not to report to work the next day, according to the complaint. Just days later, on June 21, she was placed on administrative leave and was officially terminated in August 2024. TCH alleged that the termination of her employment was due to improper access to medical records.
On Jan. 28, 2025, President Donald Trump signed the "Protecting Children from Chemical and Surgical Mutilation" order, which prevents minors from undergoing transgender treatments. In accordance with this order, HHS has issued guidelines for prospective whistleblowers.
Fox News has reached out to TCH and HHS for comment.
Rachel Wolf is a breaking news writer for Fox News Digital and FOX Business.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/hhs-probing-hospital-over-firing-nurse-who-blew-whistle-minors-getting-gender-treatments