Former anesthesiology resident stole, consumed drugs while tending to patients as young as 11 days old

A former anesthesiology resident at multiple Seattle-area hospitals was sentenced Monday for diverting narcotic pain medication for his own use while treating patients as young as 11 years old.

Andrew Voegel-Podadera, 36, was sentenced to one year of supervised release, including 200 hours of community service, the Department of Justice (DOJ) announced.

Voegel-Podadera worked at Seattle Children’s Hospital, Harborview Medical Center, and the University of Washington (UW) Medical Center.

Former Seattle doctor used fentanyl during shifts treating vulnerable patients

In June 2025, Vogel-Podadera was arrested and charged with obtaining controlled substances by fraud. He later pleaded guilty in October 2025, admitting that he secretly took fentanyl, hydromorphone, and other medications while working in the UW Medicine system.

Vogel-Podadera would occasionally use the stolen substances while still at the hospital, which meant he was under the influence of narcotics while treating patients.

“This defendant was entrusted with caring for patients, including young and vulnerable patients,” U.S. Attorney Neil Floyd said. “It is chilling to think that he took powerful narcotics while a tiny baby needed his full and unimpaired attention. This case should serve as a message that nobody is above the law and healthcare professionals will be held accountable when they divert narcotics and put patients in harm’s way.”

Between 2022 and 2024, Vogel-Podadera worked as a resident anesthesiologist, doing rotations at Seattle Children’s Hospital, Harborview Medical Center, and the UW Medical Center, according to records filed in the case.

On December 27, 2024, he saw three patients at Seattle Children’s Hospital, the youngest of whom was just 11 days old. Since the beginning of his shift, Vogel-Podadera began stealing and using pain medications that were meant for patients.

Vogel-Podadera consumed fentanyl and hydromorphone, and later returned the vials to the pharmacy with saline in them, claiming it was “wastage.”

Attending physician flagged ‘odd’ behavior, prompting investigation

The attending physician believed Vogel-Podadera’s behavior was odd and reported it to hospital staff. Ultimately, he admitted to stealing and consuming drugs while on duty as far back as January 2024.

In asking that Voegel-Podadera serve prison time, prosecutors wrote to the court: “Anesthesiologists administer precise doses of potent medications and perform delicate procedures like intubations. Voegel-Podadera’s behavior put [his patients] at risk. An intoxicated doctor is far more likely to make mistakes, and mistakes in this setting can be costly.”

Vogel-Podadera’s attorney stated that the consequences for his client have been significant. He was terminated from the anesthesiology training program, surrendered his DEA registration allowing him to prescribe medications, and had his medical license surrendered for at least five years.

Vogel-Pordadera told the court that he wished he had sought help for his addiction sooner, and claimed he has been speaking with groups of medical residents about the dangers of addiction.

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