Medical Malpractice Expert Witnesses: 102

Dean M. DeLuke, DDS, is currently Professor Emeritus, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at VCU School of Dentistry, where he has been the recipient of multiple teaching awards. He is also the recipient of the Daniel M. Laskin Award for Excellence in Predoctoral Education, a national award conferred by the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (AAOMS).

Litigation Support - Dr. DeLuke provides expert witness services to attorneys representing plaintiff and defense. His services include medical record review, thorough reporting, depositions, and trial testimony as needed.

Areas of Expertise:

Dental Malpractice Dental Standard of Care Failure to Diagnose Nerve Injuries and Paresthesia Impacted Teeth Oral Pathology Infection

Anesthesia and Sedation Trauma Dental Implants Orthognathic Surgery TMJ Disorders Osteonecrosis Patents

Dr. DeLuke is a graduate of St Michael’s College (B.A.), Columbia University (D.D.S.), and Clarkson University (M.B.A.). He completed his oral and maxillofacial surgery training at Long Island Jewish Medical Center. He is a Diplomate of the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and a Fellow of the American and the International College of Dentists.

Prior to coming to Virginia Commonwealth University, he was active in private practice in New York State for nearly 30 years, where he was also Chief of Dentistry and Oral Surgery and Co-Director of the Cleft Palate Service. He is a past president of the New York State Society of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons and has served in the AAOMS House of Delegates.

He was also active for many years on the Advisory Board, Risk Management and Finance Committees of OMS National Insurance Company, the primary provider of professional liability insurance for oral surgeons. He authored a text on Syndromes of the Head and Neck, along with numerous other journal articles and book chapters. He has been a frequent lecturer at regional and national meetings for the past 30 years.

Tracy L. Skaer, PharmD, FASHP, FASCP is a Professor Emeritus of Pharmacotherapy with over 30 years of pharmaceutical experience; 10 years as an expert witness. She is a licensed pharmacist in California, Idaho, and Washington. Dr. Skaer is a Fellow of the American Society of Health-Systems Pharmacists, the American Society of Consultant Pharmacist, and a Member of the American College of Clinical Pharmacist's (ACCP) Pain and Palliative Care Practice and Research Network (PRN).

Dr. Skaer's research interests include chronic pain, co-morbid mental illness in chronic disease, depression, anxiety disorders, insomnia, mindfulness, complementary and alternative medicine, and pharamcoeconomics and pharmacoepidemiology. Her research has been supported by over $3.2 million in grants from foundations and pharmaceutical industry.

Litigation Support - Dr. Skaer has completed several expert cases across the United States. Her services are available to attorneys representing plaintiff and defendant, including record review, written reports, deposition, and trial testimony. Dr. Skaer's cases involve:

Chronic Pain Narcotic Use Opioid Pill Mills Illicit Substance Abuse Opioid Overdose Wrongful Death

Urine Drug Testing Medication-Related Suicide Medication Reactions and Interactions FDA Controlled Substances Act Opioid Prescribing Opioid Dispensing Regulations

View Dr. Skaer's Consulting Profile.

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:

Breast Cancer Colon Cancer Lung Cancer Tumors Leukemias Lymphomas

Myeloma Myeloproliferative Disorders Myelodysplastic Syndromes Benign Hematology Anemia Bleeding and Clotting Disorders

James M. Wheeler, MD, MPH, JD, magna cum laude in Biology / Psychology from Harvard, is an OB/GYN trained at Baylor, with subspecialty training in Reproductive Endocrinology / Infertility at Yale. He is also a graduate of the Robert Wood Johnson Clinical Scholars Program at Yale, focusing upon clinical epidemiology and biostatistics and health policy. He also earned his MPH at Yale majoring in Biostatistics, minoring in Maternal/Child Health. He graduated from the University of Houston Law Center with a JD in 2005, and was invited to join the Health Law division there. He has completed ADR training, having completed training programs separately in mediation, and arbitration.

Dr. Wheeler is a former national officer of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), and served on several of their health policy committees including the Health Care Commission and the Hysterectomy Committee. He has published over 40 peer-reviewed papers on a wide array of topics in ob/gyn, with a particular emphasis on methodology. He has given over 200 invited lectures to ob/gyns, reproductive endocrinologists, radiologists, midwives, nurses, surgical technologists, law students et al. He sees himself first and foremost as a caregiver, and second to only that, as a teacher.

Dr. Wheeler has consulted in several hundred medicolegal matters for over 20 years, mostly in ob/gyn, but including family practice, internal medicine and several of its subspecialties, general surgery and several of its subspecialties, and dermatology. He has been a testifying expert before the FDA for drugs and devices, and has testified before U.S. Congressional staffers on health policy issues. He reviews for attorneys from both plaintiff and defense bars, as well as insurance companies (e.g. Pro-Assurance), and health plans (e.g. Harvard Community Health Plan). He has helped with Board of Medicine reviews, and constructing/defending class action suits. The combination of his training in medicine, basic and clinical research, clinical epidemiology, biostatistics and law make him a uniquely qualified person to review the complex issues of medicolegal cases.

Dr. Wheeler is a qualified first-reviewer, and a convincing expert during testimony. He has never been excused from a case as insufficiently expert.

Areas of expertise:

Gynecologic surgery Forceps / Vacuum Uses/ Complications Fetal Stress vs. Distress Cesarean vs. Vaginal Birth Shoulder Dystocia Pregnancy induced Hypertension / HELLP Syndrome Hysterectomy: Indications and Complications

Preterm Labor Incompetent Cervix Endometriosis Pelvic Adhesions Leiomyomata Uteri Infertility Advanced Reproductive Technology (IVF)

Jeffrey M. Wilder, DC, DABCO, FICC, has over 42 years of experience as a Chiropractor, and 38 years in private Chiropractic Practice. Engaged in private family-oriented practice as a chiropractor in Madison, Wisconsin since 1981, Dr. Wilder has completed a post-doctorate program in chiropractic orthopedics from National College and is a Board Certified Chiropractic Neuromusculoskeletal Specialist, a Diplomate of the American Board of Chiropractic Orthopedists, and a Fellow of the International Academy of Neuromuscular Medicine. This program is successfully completed by less than 1% of the nation’s chiropractors. 

Dr. Wilder has also been certified by the American Chiropractic Association Sports Council as a Certified Chiropractic Sports Physician, a 120-hour certificate program dealing with sports training, and the treatment and prevention of sports injuries. He has completed state requirements in physiological therapeutics, surface EMG, and clinical nutrition, among others.

Dr. Wilder has also served as an officer on the Board of Directors for the Congress of Chiropractic State Associations, which commissioned the chiropractic profession’s first nationwide clinical protocol, known as, Guidelines for Chiropractic Quality Assurance and Practice Parameters: Proceedings of the Mercy Center Consensus Conference, 1993, Aspen Publishers, Gaithersburg, MD.  

A Past President of the 1,800 member Wisconsin Chiropractic Association, Dr. Wilder had one of the longest terms (6 years) in the 100+ year history of the organization. He currently serves as the representative for the chiropractic profession to the Wisconsin Medicare Carrier Advisory Commission.  He has also been a consulting expert to the state of Wisconsin's Worker's Compensation Division for the past 22 years.

Dr. Wilder has taught extensively to chiropractors around the country, providing continuing education. He has been a frequent spokesperson for chiropractic in the press, television and radio, including regular appearances on statewide Wisconsin Public Radio.

Litigation Support: Dr. Wilder has extensive experience over the past 29  years as a court-recognized Chiropractic Expert throughout the United States and Puerto Rico. Dr. Wilder has served as an expert in over 300 cases of alleged Chiropractic Malpractice, Motor Vehicle Accidents and Fraud Review.   He has reviewed and testified in court for both plaintiffs and defendants in cases involving chiropractic treatment, including claims of:

Chiropractic Standard of Care Clinical Malpractice Negligence Sexual Boundary Issues License Issues Disciplinary Actions

Fraud Review Informed Consent Documentation Worker's Compensation Diagnosis / Evaluation Management

Merrill S. Wise, MD, is a  a Board-Certified in Psychiatry and Neurology with special qualifications in Child Neurology, and special qualifications in Sleep Medicine. Involved in the full-time practice of sleep medicine, Dr. Wise has evaluated and managed the full range of Sleep Disorders since 1991.

Dr. Wise evaluates children, adolescents, and adults with the full range of sleep problems and disorders. He is involved with supervision and interpretation of polysomnography (sleep studies), Multiple Sleep Latency Tests (MSLT), Maintenance of Wakefulness Tests (MWT), and integration of these findings with the clinical history in order to develop a diagnosis and treatment plan.

Because of the population served in Memphis, Dr. Wise evaluates a large number of pilots (FedEx world hub), air traffic controllers, commercial drivers and barge pilots, rail engineers, and shift workers. He is experienced in the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), narcolepsy, and other disorders of excessive sleepiness, insomnia, circadian rhythm sleep disorders, restless legs syndrome, and parasomnias.

Litigation Support - Dr. Wise has reviewed a wide variety of cases involving both neurology and sleep medicine for greater than 20 years including report generation, testimony at deposition, and at trial. He has served on numerous national task forces and committees, as well as the Board of Directors of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM). These experiences have exposed him to the full range of sleep disorders, as well as healthcare systems, best practices and evidence-based standards of care, policies, and the legal aspects of sleep problems and disorders. 

Special Interest and Expertise:  

• Individuals with Excessive Daytime Sleepiness
• Downstream Effects of Sleepiness on
  • Cognitive Function
  • Driving
  • Safety
  • Work
  • Behavioral Regulation

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:

Trauma Stroke Myocardial Infarction / STEMI /NSTEMI / ACS Pregnancy / Ectopic Pregnancy Sepsis Pulmonary Embolism (PE) Aortic Dissection Endocarditis Cauda Equina Spinal Epidural Abscess Meningitis

Aneurysm Pneumonia Appendicitis Intubation Ischemia Testicular Torsion and Ovarian Torsion Airway Management Fracture  Diabetic Ketoacidosis

Fred Beck, DC, with over 45 years in practice, performs Chiropractic Medical Malpractice Reviews, Expert Witness, IME's (1500+), Peer Reviews (7500+). Dr. Beck allows videotaping and observers in room if requested by patient / claimant. Zero IME's and Peer Reviews have gone to deposition or court. Licensed in New York & Florida. Past Public Relations Director of Broward County Chiropractic Society. Chiropractor of the Year (Broward County). Writer, lecturer, ringside physician, Pharm patent etc.

Marilyn McCullum, BSN, RN, CEN, is a certified Emergency Nurse with peer-reviewed publications, speaking engagements, and testifying experience. She specializes in emergency nursing, general nursing care, medical documentation bias, and medical products as an end-user. She stays active in her clinical position and teaches her peers about documentation and triage.

Ms. McCullum's expert opinions are unbiased, neutral, and fact-based, following the national Standard of Care.

LIST OF PHYSICIANS REVIEWED BY DR. RICK CHAVEZ AS AN INDEPENDENT CONSULTANT (OVER 155 CASES.) CAN SEND A LIST OF CASES COMPLETED, DEPOSITIONS, TESTIMONY IN FEDERAL AND STATE COURT.

LIST INCLUDES INDEPENDENT LAWYERS REGARDING PLAINTIFFS AND DEFENDENTS, MEDICAL BOARD REPORTS, U.S. ATTORNIES, USDOJ, DEA, EXPERTISE IN:

PAIN MANAGEMENT, PAIN INTERVENTIONS, DISCOGRAMS, EPIDURALS, INTRATHECAL PUMPS, OPIOID TREATMENT, ADDICTION MANAGEMENT, ACCIDENTAL OVERDOSE DEFENSE AND LAWSUITS

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.

I am a practicing clinical optometrist with 40 years of experience in diagnosis and treatment of eye disease and vision impairment.  I have been an expert witness in over a dozen cases, both plaintiff and defendant, with experience in consultation with attorney, writing of reports, depositions and trial.

Areas of expertise include standard of care, failure to diagnose, errors in diagnosis and treatment, and failure to refer.  Areas include eyelid neoplasms, glaucoma, and retina, among others.