If the Walls Could Talk

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Latest Episodes:

Introducing: If the Walls Could Talk Jan 08, 2020

A struggling Chicago hospital did just about anything to stay afloat including performing hundreds of unnecessary tests and procedures on patients. In the end, multiple patients were dead and its former owner fled the country. Left behind was an abandoned hospital that became a magnet for crime and a symbol of egregious insurance fraud.

If the Walls Could Talk recounts the true crimes and tangled history of Chicago's Edgewater Hospital as told by former staff, patients, lawyers, and investigators.

The hospital opened in 1929 and is the birthplace of Hillary Clinton and John Wayne Gacy. It was Chicago's premiere medical facility for 60 years until a new owner took over. Hear the shocking story of how the hospital's former owner managed to evade the law and why many believe he got away with it.

Written, produced and narrated by Chicago radio veterans Todd Ganz and Stephani Young. Visit https://ifthewallscouldtalkpodcast.com for more haunting pictures and details.

Follow the show on Instagram at @ifthewallscouldtalkpodcast and on our Facebook group https://www.facebook.com/groups/ifthewalls

If the Walls Could Talk is a registered trademark of Buckletown Productions LLC.

Unlock bonus content on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ifthewallscouldtalkpodcast

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ep 1: The Marvelous Dr. Mazel Jan 10, 2021

Edgewater Hospital is the birthplace of Hillary Clinton, John Wayne Gacy and tens of thousands of Chicagoans. It was Chicago's premier hospital for 50 years -- but that changed when a man named Peter Rogan purchased it. The fraud that followed quickly overshadowed the hospital's once-sterling reputation. In this true crime series, former Edgewater Hospital staff, patients and investigators recount the horrors that happened and why many believe Peter Rogan got away with it.

See photos of Dr. Mazel, Harriet Mazel and Edgewater Hospital's early years on our website: IftheWallsCouldTalkPodcast.com

Hear hours of bonus stories, interviews and behind-the-scenes content with hosts Todd Ganz and Stephani Young on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ifthewallscouldtalkpodcast

Website: https://ifthewallscouldtalkpodcast.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ifthewallscouldtalkpodcast/

Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/ifthewalls

Email us: emc@ifthewallscouldtalkpodcast.com

Learn more about John Borowski’s book (John Wayne Gacy: Hunting a Predator) and film on his website.

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This episode was written and produced by: Todd Ganz

Unlock bonus content on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ifthewallscouldtalkpodcast

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ep 2: The Second Floor Jan 17, 2021

Patients who were not sick were being admitted to Edgewater Hospital and placed on a second floor unit. This mysterious section of the hospital was off-limits to most staff...leaving them wondering what was happening. Before long, the FBI opened an investigation.

See pictures of Edgewater's infamous patient: John Wayne Gacy and more on the episode page of our website: IftheWallsCouldTalkPodcast.com

Backdraft was one of the handful of movies filmed at Edgewater Hospital. Hear an in-depth interview about the making of the movie on Episode 302 of the Chicago History Podcast.

Hear hours of bonus stories, interviews and behind-the-scenes content by supporting us on Patreon.

Find additional photos on Instagram and our Facebook Group.

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This episode was written and produced by: Todd Ganz

Unlock bonus content on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ifthewallscouldtalkpodcast

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ep 3: Bad Apples Jan 24, 2021

Multiple Edgewater Hospital doctors secretly recorded conversations for the FBI. This provided the feds with the gory details on how the hospital lured in patients...including offering cash and cigarettes. Most alarming were the invasive tests and procedures doctors performed on these patients...whether they needed them or not.

Watch the cringeworthy TV news clip of Dr. Monty McClellan on the episode page of our website: IftheWallsCouldTalkPodcast.com

Hear bonus content, additional stories, interviews and behind-the-scenes content by supporting us on Patreon.

Find additional photos and articles on Instagram and our Facebook Group.

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This episode was written and produced by: Todd Ganz

Unlock bonus content on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ifthewallscouldtalkpodcast

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ep 4: Dr. Andrew Cubria Jan 31, 2021

Dr. Andrew Cubria was Edgewater Hospital's Cardiologist who performed hundreds of medically unnecessary procedures on patients. The FBI learned two of those patients died as a result. Equally shocking was what Dr. Cubria did to cover up what happened.

See pictures of Dr. Cubria and learn more about the "heartless heart doctor" on the episode page of our website: IftheWallsCouldTalkPodcast.com

Unlock hours of bonus interviews, stories and behind-the-scenes content by supporting us on Patreon.

Additional photos are on Instagram and our Facebook Group.

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This episode was written and produced by Todd Ganz.

Unlock bonus content on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ifthewallscouldtalkpodcast

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ep 5: Something We Had to Do Feb 07, 2021

Edgewater Hospital management feared someone might be cooperating with the FBI and wearing a wire. That led to staff meetings conducted in unusual places. And then the investigation came to a screeching halt leaving everyone asking: "Now what?".

Read the 58-count indictment on the episode page of our website: IftheWallsCouldTalkPodcast.com

Hear bonus content, additional stories, interviews and behind-the-scenes content by supporting us on Patreon.

Additional photos are on our website, Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook Group.

Music in this episode comes from the YouTube Audio Library. Intense Suspense by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Artist: http://audionautix.com/

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This episode was written and produced by: Todd Ganz

Unlock bonus content on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ifthewallscouldtalkpodcast

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ep 6: Day of Reckoning Feb 14, 2021

As a handful of Edgewater Hospital doctors and Roger Ehmen headed to prison, Peter Rogan walked away a free man. While not charged criminally, Peter was sued in civil court. The United States vs Peter Rogan went to trial in 2006 and featured plenty of explosive testimony. At stake were tens of millions of Peter's dollars.

See the photos that attorney Wes Johnson took in the abandoned hospital on our website: IftheWallsCouldTalkPodcast.com

Hear bonus content, additional stories, interviews and behind-the-scenes content by supporting us on Patreon.

Unlock bonus content on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ifthewallscouldtalkpodcast

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ep 7: Fringe Benefit Feb 21, 2021

After losing a $64 million civil suit to the government, Peter Rogan fled to Canada and lived in a swanky Vancouver penthouse. Even after the feds filed criminal charges, they struggled to bring him back back to Chicago. Meanwhile, the Edgewater Hospital campus crumbled and became a magnet for crime. The neighborhood demanded it be torn down.

See photos of Peter Rogan's yacht and haunting images of the abandoned hospital on the episode page of our website: IftheWallsCouldTalkPodcast.com

Hear bonus content, additional stories, interviews and behind-the-scenes content by supporting us on Patreon.

Join us on Instagram and our Facebook Group.

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This episode was written and produced by: Todd Ganz

Unlock bonus content on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ifthewallscouldtalkpodcast

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ep 8: Leave Only Footsteps Feb 28, 2021

Edgewater Hospital closed in 2001, but the hospital still saw dozens of people come and go. Some of the many visitors were Urban Explorers who photographed the abandoned hospital during the 15 years it sat idle. One person actually went to the abandoned Edgewater Hospital to receive treatment. Much to his surprise -- he found it.

See the numerous photos we referenced in this episode on our website: IftheWallsCouldTalkPodcast.com

Hear bonus content, additional stories, interviews and behind-the-scenes content by supporting us on Patreon.

See more of the Urban Explorers work:

Ken Fager on American Urbex on Flickr Instagram: @kenfager

Nitram242 on Flickr Instagram: @nitram242

Jordan Nicolette on Flickr Instagram: @jordan-nicolette

Kyle Telechan on Flickr Instagram: @cityeyes

Eric Holubow on Flickr Instagram: @eholubow - Book: Abandoned: America’s Vanishing Landscape

Bradley French on YouTube Instagram: @bradley_frenchy

Mike Kinsch Instagram: @mikeman902

Josh Tinoco Instagram: @joshuatinoco

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This episode was written and produced by Stephani Young.

Unlock bonus content on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ifthewallscouldtalkpodcast

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ep 9: Parade of Lies Mar 07, 2021

Peter Rogan abruptly ended his extradition fight and returned to the United States. He faced up to 50 years in prison and a $1 million fine for obstruction and perjury charges. Meanwhile the long-awaited redevelopment of Edgewater Hospital finally commenced and unearthed plenty of surprises.

Learn more about how Peter's sentencing hearing finally made headlines -- for different reasons -- on the episode page of If the Walls Could Talk Podcast website.

Access hours of bonus content, interviews and behind-the-scenes conversations by supporting us on Patreon. Plans start at just $10 / month.

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This episode was written and produced by Todd Ganz.

Unlock bonus content on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ifthewallscouldtalkpodcast

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ep 10: Second Season of Life Mar 14, 2021

Roger Ehmen served 6 years in prison for his role in Edgewater Hospital's fraud scheme. He shares how he managed to turn that darkness into an opportunity and, in the process, found his calling. Plus hear the shocking updates about Peter Rogan, Dr. Andrew Cubria and other players in the scheme in this tell-all "where are they now" episode.

Learn more about Westside Health Authority and how you can support the non-profit organization.

Additional "where are they now" information is available on the episode page of our website: IftheWallsCouldTalkPodcast.com

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This episode was written and produced by Todd Ganz.

Unlock bonus content on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ifthewallscouldtalkpodcast

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

BONUS: Edgewater Hospital History Mar 21, 2021

Dr. Maurice Mazel was Edgewater Hospital's temperamental leader who treated Hollywood's elite and turned his tiny neighborhood hospital into Chicago's premiere medical facility. For 51 years, he ran the hospital at 5700 N. Ashland Avenue like a hotel -- complete with bellhops, private suites and celebrity sightings. Learn why he collected urine from employees and whether the Chicago Paranormal Investigators found any ghosts in this special bonus episode about the hospital's better days.

Find additional photos and stories on the episode page: IftheWallsCouldTalkPodcast.com

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This episode was written and produced by Todd Ganz.

Unlock bonus content on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ifthewallscouldtalkpodcast

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ep 11: If the Walls Could Talk: Q & A Wrap Up Mar 28, 2021

Is one of Edgewater Hospital's doctors sitting on death row? Why did Peter Rogan get such a short prison sentence? What happened to the hyperbaric chamber? In this jam-packed Q & A episode, we'll answer those questions and a dozen others about the Edgewater Hospital saga. A panel of experts also discuss whether there could be another Edgewater Hospital.

Find additional photos and articles on the episode page of our website: IftheWallsCouldTalkPodcast.com

Unlock bonus content on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ifthewallscouldtalkpodcast

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

BONUS: Teresita Basa, Part 1 "The Murder" Oct 31, 2021

Teresita Basa was found dead in her Chicago apartment with a knife in chest. The beloved Edgewater Hospital employee had been murdered and set on fire in 1977. With few leads, the case went cold...until Teresita's ghost returned from the grave to identify her killer: another Edgewater Hospital employee named Allan Showery. Hear the shocking true story of one the most unusual murder investigations in Part 1 of this Bonus Episode.

See pictures and learn more about the unusual murder of Teresita Basa on our website: IftheWallsCouldTalkPodcast.com.

Hear hours of additional content, stories, interviews, and behind-the-scenes content by supporting us on Patreon. Plans start at just $10/month.

Hear the complete true crime series about Chicago's Edgewater Hospital beginning with Episode 1 of If the Walls Could Talk Podcast.

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This episode was written and produced by Todd Ganz.

Unlock bonus content on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ifthewallscouldtalkpodcast

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

BONUS: Teresita Basa, Part 2 "The Trial" Nov 07, 2021

Accused of murdering Teresita Basa, Allan Showery's trial began in 1979. Given the unusual circumstances of the case -- namely that police were tipped off by a ghost -- lawyers on both sides were challenged to convince 12 indecisive jurors. But it's what happened after the trial that still remains a mystery.

See pictures and learn more about the Teresita Basa case on our website: IftheWallsCouldTalkPodcast.com , Instagram and Facebook Group.

Hear bonus content, additional stories, interviews and behind-the-scenes content by supporting us on Patreon.

The complete true crime series about Chicago's Edgewater Hospital begins with Episode 1 of If the Walls Could Talk Podcast.

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This episode was written and produced by Todd Ganz.

Unlock bonus content on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ifthewallscouldtalkpodcast

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

BONUS: Teresita Basa, Part 3 "Q&A" Dec 02, 2021

There were other suspects in the mysterious murder investigation of Edgewater Hospital's Teresita Basa. In this special Q&A, learn about them and whether Reme Chua was considered a person of interest. Hear why one of Allan Showery's lawyers was later disbarred and find out about the odd connection to Edgewater Hospital's Peter Rogan and Roger Ehmen.

If the Walls Could Talk Podcast shares the true crimes that destroyed Chicago's Edgewater Hospital. The complete series is now available.

Additional photos and stories about the Teresita Basa story and Edgewater Hospital are available on our website IftheWallsCouldTalkPodcast.com

Support the podcast on Patreon and unlock dozens of hours of bonus content and behind-the-scenes stories.

Unlock bonus content on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ifthewallscouldtalkpodcast

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

BONUS: Chicago History Podcast Talks Edgewater Hospital Oct 27, 2022

It's not a coincidence that many celebrities who performed at Edgewater Beach Hotel wound up in the "private suites" at Edgewater Hospital. Todd recently joined Tommy Henry on the Chicago History Podcast to explain why and shared a few other similarities between the two buildings.

Hear the full episode about Chicago's famed Edgewater Beach Hotel in Episode 503

Episode 306 of the Chicago History Podcast features Todd Ganz and Stephani Young talking about the making of If the Walls Could Talk.

Episode 302 of the Chicago History Podcast explores the movie "Backdraft" -- a handful of scenes were filmed at Edgewater Hospital.

Learn more about Chicago History Podcast on their website.

Unlock bonus content on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ifthewallscouldtalkpodcast

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.