Internal Medicine Expert Witnesses: 15

Gerald W. Smetana, MD, Board Certified in Internal Medicine, is a General Internist with over 36 years of experience in an academic primary care practice at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston. He is also a Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School where he has taught internal medicine to medical house staff and also teaches extensively to practicing clinicians in continuing medical education settings. Dr. Smetana is a Master of the American College of Physicians.

Practicing in an outpatient setting, Dr. Smetana cares for a panel of patients that is weighted towards those with multiple chronic illnesses and high disease complexity. In addition to all aspects of office based general internal medicine, his areas of interest include Preoperative Medical Evaluation, Hypertension, and Headache.

Dr. Smetana has been repeatedly selected as a Best Doctor in a national survey and has received a national award for scholarship in medical education. He publishes in the peer reviewed medical literature and medical texts, has edited textbooks, and has helped to develop national guidelines on topics in internal medicine. He has been invited to deliver seminars and presentations on various topics within his area of expertise nationally and internationally.

Litigation Support - Dr. Smetana reviews cases for both plaintiffs and defendants and has testified at deposition and at trial as an expert on numerous occasions in most states in the eastern United States. He has reviewed medical malpractice cases over the past 20 years both for plaintiffs and doctors. Dr. Smetana also consults for risk management insurers. His record review and medicolegal consultation services are available throughout the United States.

Dr. Lorne Sheldon Label, MD, MBA, FAAN, is a Board Certified Neurologist who has extensive training in the treatment of all neurological diseases of adults and children. The field deals with brain, spinal cord, nerve and muscle disorders. Dr. Label has been recognized by the court as having the education, experience, training, and knowledge to assist in rendering an opinion on the subject of Adult and Pediatric Neurology and Acupuncture. His ability is in explaining complicated methods and procedures, technical medical matters and data, as well as interpreting and rendering opinions about a certain set of facts to the court.

Dr. Label has offered his Expert Witness testimony to the legal industry for over 35 years. He has been retained as an Expert by attorneys for both Plaintiff and Defense over 200 times. His services are available for Medical Record Review and Testimony, Medical Malpractice Cases, and Insurance Questions Regarding Neurological Issues.CV available on website or by email.

Areas of Expertise:

Ernest N. Charlesworth, MD, is a Diplomate of the American Board of Dermatology, the American Board of Internal Medicine, American Board of Allergy & Immunology, and the American Board of Diagnostic Laboratory Immunology. He has over 40 years of experience in his field of expertise.

Dr. Charlesworth is one of only a few United States physicians who is board certified in both Allergy / Immunology and Dermatology. Well-versed in his area of expertise, he has published over 50 peer-reviewed articles, several textbook chapters, and two textbooks. He has been honored by the American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology for both Distinguished Service and as a Distinguished Fellow.

Dr. Charlesworth offers litigation support, except independent medical examinations, to attorneys representing both Plaintiff and Defense. He has been deposed and/or testified approximately 15 times since 2010. His services include issues of causation and standard of care. Dr. Charlesworth has completed the National Catholic Certification Program in Health Care Ethics. He retired from active medical practice in May of 2014 but continues to be active in academic medicine.

Areas of Expertise:

Dr. Matthew Lee, MD, RPh, MS. is a Physician, Pharmacist, Pharmacologist and Toxicologist who also practices as an Expert Witness and Legal Strategy Consultant. Specific Benefits Include:

• Increased quality and integrity of written expert reports, based on an expanded knowledge base
• Time savings by only having to coordinate and discuss a case with one expert as opposed to two or more
• Since there is so much overlap between fields in the medical profession it is often hard to determine where one scope ends and another begins. This ambiguity is dramatically decreased , and scope increased by combining physician, pharmacist, and pharmacologist into one
• Communication skills of a pharmacist and experience dealing directly with the lay-public, in addition to the knowledge and background of a physician is extremely beneficial describing technical details to a jury
• Practicing in different realms within the healthcare field has allowed Dr. Lee to integrate the multiple facets giving him a unique and distinct perspective that no other expert has.

Case Experience Includes:

Elite Medical Experts is a physician-led team that hand selects nationally recognized Professors of Medicine and Surgery as expert witnesses. Each expert is a board-certified specialist with a busy clinical practice and impeccable credentials.  From Stanford to Yale, and from every healthcare specialty and field, Elite aligns leading specialists from top-tier medical universities.

Actionable benefits to our clients:

     ♦  Zero-Risk Guarantee:  Approve the expert or we'll refund the fee.

     ♦  Avoid costly mistakes with real-time access to our physician-led Strategy Team.

     ♦  No subscriptions - we earn trust one case at a time.

     ♦  Work directly with hand-selected university experts screened for your specific case.

     ♦  No database or advertised experts - we plan for discovery and transparency at every stage.

Please call [877] 670-8625 to speak directly with our in-house Case Strategy Team. There's no charge for phone or video consultation consultation and we'll outline a a strategic plan for moving forward.

Dr. Burton Bentley II, M.D., FAAEM
CEO, Elite Medical Experts

Areas of Expertise:

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Kenneth "Kenny" Stein, MD
Board Certified Emergency Medicine & Internal Medicine 
Subspecialty Certified in NeuroCritical Care 

Kenneth "Kenny" Stein, MD, is Assistant Professor in the Department of Emergency Medicine, St. Louis University School of Medicine (a Level 1 Trauma Center). Dr. Stein has practiced Emergency Medicine for 29 years and Critical Care / Intensive Care Medicine for 27 years. For 20 years, Dr. Stein was an Emergency Physician at St. Anthony's Medical Center of St. Louis, one of the busiest emergency departments in the State of Missouri.

Dr. Stein has extensive experience in providing medical-legal expert services, having reviewed over 500 cases (both plaintiff and defense) and having given testimony over 200 times. Dr. Stein furnishes an unbiased opinion on medical malpractice/negligence cases. He also provides medical opinion concerning causation. Dr. Stein does not guarantee a favorable outcome but provides an honest assessment.

Dr. Stein has lectured nationally, and consults in the area of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Product Development and Marketing.

Dr. Stein reviews cases (for both Plaintiff and Defense) of alleged Medical Malpractice / Negligence in areas including:

• Emergency Medicine        
• Critical Care Medicine / Intensive Care Medicine          
• Internal Medicine

Services provided include:

• Medical chart review and analysis   
• Providing opinion concerning the presence or absence of Negligence / Breach of the Standard of Care, Damages / Injury and Causation
• Survey of case for merit 
• Preparation of reports and / or affidavits        
• Preparation for opposing expert deposition and cross-examination        
• Medical literature search    
• Expert witness testimony at deposition and trial

Call 314-495-7009 for a complete CV, including presentations.

Howard M. Kipen MD, MPH, is Board certified in Internal Medicine and Occupational Medicine. Dr. Kipen earned a BA from UC Berkeley, MD from UCSF, and MPH from Columbia University. He currently serves as Director of the Clinical Research and Occupational Medicine Division and Professor of Environmental and Occupational Health at Rutgers University. Dr. Kipen’s research focuses on clinical and epidemiological studies of the health effects of Indoor and Ambient Air Pollution. His research uses both controlled exposure models with ozone, fresh aerosols, and diesel-enriched on-road exposures, primarily with drives on the New Jersey Turnpike. A new EPA study examines health benefits of portable air cleaners for reducing indoor air pollution levels. Biomarker outcomes presently emphasized are exhaled breath oxidative stress and invasive and noninvasive measures of vascular function. Dr. Kipen has published morethan 200 articles on environmental / occupational health. Scholarly Activities:

• Former Chair, NASA Human Research Program’s Advanced Environmental Health / Advanced Food Technology Standing Review Panel
• Member, National Academies Standing Committee on Medical and Epidemiological Aspects of Air Pollution on U.S. Government Employees and their Families, 2016
• Chair / Member Multiple Ad Hoc Grant Review Panels (e.g., NIEHS, Department of Defense)
• Governor’s Appointee, Public Employee’s Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission, New Jersey Department of Labor
• Member, Public Health Scientific Advisory Board, New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection

Litigation Support: Dr. Kipen has 35 years of litigation experience. He has expertise in various Toxic Torts including asbestos, benzene, mold, air pollution, occupational and environmental cancers, and other diseases. He also has expertise on "Multiple Chemical Sensitivities" (MCS). Dr. Kipen has particular experience as an asbestos plaintiff's expert and both plaintiff and defense experience with other toxic torts. His services include medical record review, thorough reporting, depositions, and trial testimony as needed.

Chinemerem Y. Ugorji, MD, is a board certified Internal Medicine doctor with over 10 years of experience as a Hospitalist and Nocturnist. She has knowledge  of Critical Access Care, Level 2 Trauma, and Telemedicine.

Litigation Support - Dr. Ugorji's mission is to provide accurate expert assessments of Medical Billing / Coding, Medical Fraud, and Medical Necessities. She helps attorneys for plaintiff and defense make informed decisions about their cases. Dr. Ugorji's services include medical record review, thorough reporting, interrogatories, depositions, and trial testimony as needed.

Areas of Expertise:

Kent C. Sasse, MD, MPH, FACS, FASCRS, FASMBS, is a Bariatric surgery thought leader.  Performed over 5,000 primary bariatric surgical procedures and 500 revisional bariatric procedures. Medical Director of nationally accredited bariatric surgery center. Award-winning teacher. Widely published scientist. Author of the nine books. Inventor and patent holder of bariatric surgical device. 

Clinical Experience includes: bariatric surgery and endoscopy, sleeve gastrectomy, gastric bypass, duodenal switch, reoperative surgery, revisional surgery, hiatal hernia, wound care, Barrett's esophagus, hernia mesh, hernia mesh explantation, endoscopic stenting, leaks, Ambulatory Surgery Centers, and solving complications. Prolific public speaker. University of Nevada School of Medicine faculty. Experienced expert witness at both deposition and trial. www.SasseSurgical.com/books. 

Litigation Support - Dr. Sasse has served as a medico-legal consultant to attorneys involved in complex litigation. He has provided extensive expert reviews of complex cases for the State of Nevada, for independent insurance and disability carriers, and for the United States Air Force. He brings to each and every case a level of experience and unparalleled dedication to preparation, excellent service, and insightful review. His expert testimony has proven highly valuable , serving both defense and plaintiff to reach the truth. 

Dr. Sasse is a sought after speaker and an experienced trial witness, having logged many hours on the witness stand in highly charged cases. He brings a commitment to objectivity and thoroughness to each and every case. 

Areas of Expertise:

View Dr. Sasse's Consulting Profile.

The Physician Assistant Experts Network™ is a referral resource for attorneys seeking expert medical opinions on the standard of care provided by physician assistants and advanced nurse practitioners. The PA Experts Network™ was founded by Jeffrey G. Nicholson, PA-C, Ph.D., M.Ed., MPAS, an experienced medical-legal consultant and a leader in the physician assistant profession. He will either help you personally or facilitate a physician assistant expert from his network of board certified Physician Assistant Experts in all medical specialties. See his article on this website. Practicing 30 years, a PA Educator, Assistant Professor, and Director of the University of Wisconsin Physician Assistant Program.

Services Include:

• Medical Records Review, Deposition, Testimony, Referrals of PAs, NPs, Midwives, CRNAs, and allied health PT, EMT etc.

Education and Certifications:

• Ph.D., University of Wisconsin-Madison, WI, 2008
• Master of Education, M.Ed., Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, 1989
• Masters Degree in Physician Assistant Studies, University of Nebraska Click here for Website to see complete resume and photo.

Neal C. Buddensiek, MD, DNBPAS, HMDC, CMD, WCC has over 17 years of experience practicing Internal Medicine, and over 11 years of experience practicing as an attending physician in Post Acute Care. 

Dr. Buddensiek is Chief Medical Officer for one of the largest Catholic Long-Term Care / Senior Living companies in the United States (26 skilled nursing facilities comprising 2,100+ beds, 28 assisted living facilities comprising 2,100+ units, 5 Midwestern states). He holds active medical licenses in multiple Midwestern states. For 5 years, Dr. Buddensiek has taught Internal Medicine residents and nurse practitioners about nursing home and residential care.

Dr. Buddensiek is an Expert in:

• Long Term Medical Care and Administrative Oversight (8 skilled nursing facility medical directorships; 1000+ resident chart reviews for safety and quality control).
• Assisted Living Medical Care and Administrative Oversight (5 assisted living facility medical directorships; 500+ resident chart reviews for safety and quality control). 
•  Hospice Medical Care and Administrative Oversight (2 hospice agency medical directorships; average daily census 400+ hospice patients, 3 Midwestern states). 

Areas of Expertise:

Clinton F. Merrill, Jr., MD, has over 35 years of experience in clinical Internal Medicine and 28 years of experience in Medical Oncology and Hematology. Dr. Merrill is experienced in the diagnosis and treatment of all solid tumors as well as the full range of hematologic malignancies. He has special expertise in benign hematology including: anemias, low blood cell counts, iron overload disorders, bleeding and clotting disorders. Litigation Support - Dr. Merrill offers expert witness services to counsel representing Plaintiff and Defendant. His services include medical record review, written reports, depositions, and trial testimony. Dr. Merrill takes pride in providing thorough record review, meticulously researched reports reflecting unbiased opinions, and excellent communication skills with the ability to make the complex understandable. Areas of Expertise:

Andrew Wittenberg, MD, MPH, FACEP, is the medical director of his Emergency Department and a practicing Emergency Medicine Physician with over 15 years of experience. He is certified by the American Board of Emergency Medicine (ABEM) and is a fellow of the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP).  

Dr. Wittenberg currently works in a tertiary care center in southern California that is a stroke center, trauma center, STEMI-receiving center, and Pediatric Medical Center.  Dr. Wittenberg also has significant experience working in a smaller, single-coverage community emergency department.  Dr. Wittenberg graduated from Temple University School of Medicine and completed his residency at LA County-USC Medical Center. He has been recognized for excellence in teaching with awards from two residency programs. He also a national board examiner for ABEM.   

Litigation Support - Dr. Wittenberg offers expert witness services in medical malpractice cases involving Emergency Medicine. He provides consultation for chart reviews, expert witness depositions, and testimony. Dr. Wittenberg's services are available to both plaintiff and defense attorneys.  

Areas of Expertise:

Dr. Jeffrey Stone, DO, MPH, FCCWS, specializing in Wound Care and Hyperbaric Medicine, served as Medical and Fellowship Director for the Hyperbaric Medicine Unit at the Institute for Exercise & Environmental Medicine at Texas Health Dallas from 1992- May 2016. Dr. Stone received his medical degree from Western States University and received a Master of Public Health degree from Harvard University. Dr. Stone completed a residency in aerospace medicine at Brooks Air Force Base and a fellowship in hyperbaric medicine and Wound care at the U.S. Air Force School of Aerospace Medicine. Dr. Stone started visiting nursing facilities in the Dallas Metroplex  in the early 1990's teaching, educating and caring for individuals with chronic wounds. He is one of the first 60 physicians in the U.S. to receive his certification in Wound Care. Dr. Stone currently provides care to patients in acute care, LTAC, long term care facilities SNF and Nursing Home) and outpatient care.

Dr. Stone has been widely published in many medical journals regarding his expertise in Wound Care and Hyperbaric Medicine. He serves as an Expert Witness for Peer Reviews, Legal Reviews, and Medical Malpractice Cases.

Areas of Expertise: Wound Care and Hyperbaric Oxygen-

• Pressure Sores
• Arterial Ulcers
• Diabetic Foot Wounds
• Acute Traumatic Ischemias
• Decubitus Ulcers
• Non-Healing Wounds, Venous or Arterial or Pressure Related

View Consulting Profile.

Ramzy Rimawi, MD, is American board certified in Internal Medicine, Infectious Diseases, and Critical Care Medicine. He has authored dozens of articles and given hundreds of lectures in the fields of IM, ID, and critical care. Dr. Rimawi is extremely well qualified in topics including sepsis, infections, critical care, and ethics.

 As an expert medical witness, Dr. Rimawi has reviewed hundreds of medical malpractice cases for both plaintiff and defense.