CANTON TOWNSHIP, Mich. – A woman treated by former anesthesiologist Joel Adelsberg is disgusted and outraged after learning he was continuing to practice medicine, despite being under federal investigation, indicted, and even pleading guilty to a child pornography charge.
Gina Cerrito of Canton Township said she went to get a hysterectomy at a Trinity Health facility in December of 2024.
She said Adelsberg did not follow specific protocols she is used to when receiving anesthesia, and his demeanor was “creepy.”
“I just got a creepy feeling about him,” said Cerrito. “As soon as my son came when I was waking up, one of the first things I said to him was, ‘That anesthesiologist was weird.‘”
Cerrito said her concern turned to disgust when she later saw the story about Adelsberg on Local 4 — that he had been indicted months before her surgery.
Federal prosecutors had originally charged him with possessing and distributing child sexually abusive material, some involving toddlers in a sadistic manner.
A Secret Indictment?
Court documents revealed an investigation into Adelsberg going back to October 2023.
Investigators said he used the social media app Kik and the internet to distribute explicit content involving young children.
When federal agents searched his devices in February 2024, prosecutors said they found “at least” 106 videos and 49 images of child pornography across four different cell phones.
Concerned that Adelsberg might flee, destroy evidence, or intimidate witnesses, federal prosecutors moved to seal his indictment and arrest warrant in August of 2024.
At least two of Adelsberg’s former employers said that the decision left them in the dark about the charges against him until the indictment and plea were unsealed.
Trinity Health and A4 Say They Didn’t Know
Trinity Health, where Adelsberg was associated, stated they were unaware of his Feb. 28, 2025, plea deal until March 7th. They said they immediately terminated his medical staff privileges.
“We were shocked to learn of the indictment and the plea deal against this individual, who has never been an employee of our health system. We took immediate action to terminate his medical staff privileges and bar him from our facilities the same day we were made aware of this matter.”
Trinity Health
Anesthesia Associates of Ann Arbor, also known as A4, where Adelsberg primarily worked, had a similar statement.
They said they were unaware of the investigation, indictment, or plea deal until it was unsealed, adding in part:
“Upon learning of the plea deal, we conducted an internal review and immediately terminated his employment. We were completely unaware of the proceedings against Dr. Joel Adelsberg, as he failed to disclose them per our policies.”
Anesthesia Associates of Ann Arbor
Cerrito believes that it is still unacceptable. She said hospitals and medical groups should do more than rely on self-disclosure from employees, especially those in positions of trust.
“There was a report online that stated he was indicted on several charges. It didn’t show what, but you gotta check people out,” Cerrito said. “Especially if they are going to be putting people to sleep.”
Cerrito said she would like to see change: ongoing background checks throughout employment, not just at the time of hiring.
She also said she is considering legal action, questioning how other patients may have been impacted.
Adelsberg is scheduled to be sentenced on June 25, 2025, and will be required to register as a sex offender.
“We understand and share the concerns being raised. Dr. Adelsberg’s actions are deeply troubling and in complete conflict with the values and standards we uphold at Anesthesia Associates of Ann Arbor (A4).
Because the federal indictment was sealed, we did not know about the investigation or charges. Even after the plea agreement on February 28, 2025, there was no formal notification to us as his employer. Once we became aware, verified the information, and confirmed Dr. Adelsberg’s identity in court records, we acted immediately—his employment was terminated in less than 24 hours.
Our care is delivered through a team-based model that includes anesthesiologists, nurse anesthetists, and perioperative and postoperative nursing staff. Multiple professionals see every patient throughout their care journey. We also have established systems for patients and staff to raise concerns, and we take every inquiry seriously and respond promptly.
There should be a process for the U.S. Attorney General to notify employers—particularly in healthcare—when a physician is subject to serious charges or legal restrictions. Without that transparency, we are unable to act until the information becomes public, even though all of our physicians undergo background checks each time they are hired or credentialed.
We remain committed to the safety and trust of our patients and to holding ourselves and every team member to the highest standards of care and conduct."
Anesthesia Associates of Ann Arbor
