Lawsuits say Pascagoula doctor diagnosed patients wrong

Former patients of a well-known Pascagoula doctor are filing lawsuits that claim they were misdiagnosed and improperly treated.
As the cases against Dr. Terry Millette build up, current patients under his care stand strong in support of the neurologist’s practice.
Former Singing River Health System Dr. Terry Millette is the target of several lawsuits filed by former patients, claiming they were being treated for a disease they should have never been diagnosed with.
The allegations made are in regards to multiple sclerosis, also known as MS, a disease Pascagoula resident Melanie Polk Ellifritt says may have taken her life if it wasn’t for Dr. Millette. “This is a slap in the face, not only to Terry, but also to all of us who fought so hard to get him back.”
Ellifritt is referring to last year when patients rallied in support against Singing River Health’s sudden decision to let Millette go. The cases filed in Jackson County Court right now are compensation in return for the damages patients underwent who were, according to the lawsuit, misdiagnosed.
In the lawsuits, patients claim other doctors say they never suffered from MS. “That’s when all this started with Terry. Everybody was going to Singing River Hospital to try to find out what to do and they were sending us to select neurologists that they handpicked.”
Another one of Dr. Millette’s current patients says the cases filed are just chasing money. Current patient Jackie Bleau said, “Singing River Hospital put these patients out there, changed their diagnosis, and put themselves at risk for a lawsuit.”
“With their diagnosis gone, they’re no longer eligible for social security and Medicaid.”
The attorneys representing both parties were unavailable to comment.