John Zen Jackson, Of Counsel in the firm’s Healthcare and Litigation Departments, will participate in the panel discussion “Lessons for Healthcare: The State of NJ vs. Charles Cullen” on Tuesday, April 11, 2023 from 5:00pm – 8:30pm. The program will follow a screening of the 2022 documentary “Capturing the Killer Nurse” and will be hosted by the Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, in the Gov. James J. Florio Special Events Forum.

In 2004, registered nurse Charles Cullen was convicted of murdering 29 patients throughout his 16 year career in hospitals and nursing homes in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Nicknamed the “Angel of Death,” Cullen confessed to killing up to 40 people, though many suspect the number to be significantly higher.

“Capturing the Killer Nurse” chronicles the work of law enforcement, the judicial system, and Cullen’s coworkers in obtaining Cullen’s confession and bringing him to justice. Eyewitness accounts from detectives, Cullen’s co-workers, and Amy Loughren, a friend and fellow nurse instrumental in Cullen’s eventual capture, are featured. Interviews with family members of the victims, journalist and author Charles Graeber, and audio from Cullen himself are also included. Detailing how investigators were able to prove Cullen was killing patients, the documentary also takes a look at how the U.S. healthcare system enabled Cullen to continue to commit his crimes without consequences.

The screening of the documentary will be followed by a panel discussion featuring professionals involved in the case and other leading healthcare authorities, including Mr. Jackson. Panelists will discuss how Cullen almost got away with murder and explore lessons for healthcare leaders and managers who are charged with preventing such occurrences in the future.

Mr. Jackson’s healthcare practice emphasizes litigated matters in judicial and administrative forums, including professional liability claims, licensure and credentialing issues with administrative agencies and health care entities, reimbursement and insurance fraud disputes. He is Certified by the Supreme Court of New Jersey as a Civil Trial Attorney and has extensive experience in trying jury cases to a verdict.

Additional program information and registration online can be accessed here.