Health and Wellbeing Consultants: 21

Leonard Perlmutter is a renowned philosopher, educator and motivational speaker. He is founder of the American Meditation Institute in Averill Park, NY where he shares his vast 30-year experience, inspiring enthusiasm and humor to reduce stress and bring peace to modern life. He is adjunct professor of meditation and yoga at the College of St. Rose.

Leonard is author of the award-winning "The Heart and Science of Yoga: A Blueprint for Peace, Happiness and Freedom from Fear." This encyclopedic introduction to Yoga Science (meditation, breathing, ayurveda and exercise) is certified by the American Medical Association for physician CME credits and the American Nurses Association. Perlmutter's work is also endorsed by physicians Mehmet Oz, Dean Ornish, Bernie Siegel and Larry Dossey. Yoga Journal magazine acclaimed his work as "A sweeping, enthralling vision of how to live an integrated life."

Clive M. Segil, MD, FACS, FRCS is an internationally renowned Orthopedic Surgeon with 30 years of experience in the management of Musculoskeletal Disorders. Dr. Segil sees the patient as a “whole person” not only a “disease,” and places great emphasis on the mind-body connection, applying the concept of what is best for the patient. This means that he uses treatments that result in a cure, at best, and at very least, a marked improvement in their well-being.

For the past 25 years, Dr. Segil has been involved in research and teaching. He is a past assistant clinical professor of orthopedics at the University of Southern California School of Medicine and as a past Clinical Chief of Orthopedics at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. He continues as a leading orthopedic surgeon in private practice in Los Angeles, California.

Dr. Segil treats the following Orthopedic conditions:

• Injuries - Bones, ligaments, tendons, muscles, cartilage, nerves
• Deformities - Scoliosis, club feet, spondylolisthesis, leg length discrepancies
• Degenerative Conditions - Joints and Spine
• Tumors
• Congenital Defects - Hips, club feet

Dr. Segil is a lecturer and visiting professor in Japan, South Africa, England, Canada, Israel, and China. He speaks and teaches on such topics as sports injuries, spinal cord injuries, innovative orthopedic surgery procedures, and workers' compensation issues.

View Dr. Segil's Expert Witness Profile.

Dr. Divya Chander, MD, PhD,  is a physician, neuroscientist, and futurist who trained at Harvard, UCSF, UCSD, and the Salk Institute. She is currently the Chair of Neuroscience and Faculty in Medicine at Singularity University. She is also a Visiting Scholar in the Stanford Department of Medicine, Biomedical Informatics, and was a member of the Stanford Anesthesiology Faculty for 8 years.

In the operating room, Dr. Chander applies EEG technology to understand what human brains and the underlying networks look like when they lose and regain consciousness. She also has a precision medicine initiative focused on understanding genetic variability in responses to anesthetic drugs and brain oscillations. Her goal is to understand neural mechanisms of consciousness, as well as the evolution of human consciousness secondary to human augmentation. She is working on devices that read and write the brain (brain mapping, neuromodulation) and link to brain machine interfaces for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes.

Keynote Speaking:

• Neuroscience is on the cutting edge of decoding brains, making it possible like never before to peer into brains and hijack their circuitry. In this talk, Dr. Chander explores how old and new technologies make it possible to read visions and dreams, hack thoughts, and plant false memories. She also addresses how modern medicine and science make it possible to restore and enhance function to people who are paralyzed, opening the door to digital and robotic control with the human mind.
• Medicine / Healthcare is being transformed by exponential technologies that often are developed in the non-healthcare space. Dr. Chander explores how breakthroughs in 3D printing, robotics, artificial intelligence, stem cells, augmented and virtual reality, microfluidics, nanotechnology, and brain machine interfaces are pushing medicine into the realm of science fiction. New diagnostics, therapies, and even augmentation are considered, as well as their ethical implications. 

Video: Can You Read My Mind? The Promises & Perils of AI Decoding the Brain: Divya Chander at NextMed Health

• Bioethics has both the near and long-term implications for humanity and the biosphere. This has never been more true as we have gained the ability to rewrite both the genetic and the neural code, fundamentally changing what it means to be human. The ability to implant, read and write functions to humans leaves us vulnerable to losing our privacy, or even being hacked and manipulated. This talk explores the ethical implications of the technology we have developed, which is exploding at an exponential rate, and considers some new solutions.

View Dr. Divya Chander's Expert Witness Profile.

Theresa A. Schmidt, DPT, is Board-certified in Orthopedic Physical Therapy. With over 25 years of experience in clinical, academic and administrative settings, she is an Approved Provider of continuing education for NY State Boards of Physical Therapy and Massage Therapy, and for the National Certification Board of Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork, Inc., (NCBTMB). She updates clinicians internationally on clinical practice guidelines, standards of care, examination and management of injuries, disease, movement impairments, and disability.

Dr. Schmidt is an approved provider of continuing education by National Certification Board of Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork, Inc, NCBTMB, Inc., and New York State Board of Massage Therapy. She is also a published author in medical journals and has published her research in MOJ Orthopedics, Journal of Complementary and Alternative Medicine, and Fascia Research Congress III.

In her current position as a business owner and approved provider of continuing education seminars and physical therapy with her company, Educise PC, Dr. Schmidt provides clinical and educational services to empower clients to achieve optimal health and wellness, and to inspire clinicians to incorporate best practices into the care of their clients, based on the latest evidence. 

As an instructor, Dr. Schmidt regularly updates her practice with research on the latest clinical prediction rules, clinical practice guidelines, and evidence-based research in physical therapy. As a long-term member of the American Physical Therapy Association, she has access to the latest research in the field, as well as best practices in contemporary care for promoting favorable patient outcomes and appropriate utilization of services. As a clinician, she provides individualized care programs for clients in outpatient settings, primarily focusing on the specialty of Orthopedic Rehabilitation, Personal Fitness, Massage, Ergonomics, and serving as an Expert Consultant for injury and malpractice cases.

Comprehensive Consulting Services:

• Orthopedic injuries, muscle strains, ligament sprains, fractures
• Post-surgical conditions, Sports injuries
• Auto accident injuries and work injuries
• Joint disorders and arthritis, Joint replacements, Spinal pain
• Chronic pain, Fibromyalgia, Myofascial Pain, TMJ, tension headache
• Hand injuries, Neurological disorders, Balance Issues
• Work injury prevention and ergonomic assessment and advice
• Therapeutic modalities include: cupping therapy, ultrasound, diathermy, electrical stimulation, thermal therapy, full body whirlpool, acustim, TENS, NMES, microcurrent, IASTM, paraffin wax and taping
• Exercise and fitness equipment includes: Elliptical climber, stationary bike, cross country Nordic track, Airdyne upper/lower body ergometer, free weights, rebounder trampoline, BOSU balance trainer, fitness balls, rockers, balance and agility trainers, steppers, and more

View Dr. Theresa A. Schmidt's Expert Witness Profile.

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:

Criminal and Civil Cases Anaphylactic Reactions Overdose Wrongful Death Cardiac Arrest Respiratory Arrest Fentanyl Overdose Dilaudid Overdose Pharmacist Mis-Fills

Pharmacist Dispensing Errors Pharmacy Standard of Care Medication Adverse Effects Falls Related to Medications (in and out of hospital) Toxicology/Toxic Reactions Medical Marijuana Positive Drug Screens in the Workplace Workplace Safety Fit for Duty Testing

Elite Medical Experts works with attorneys to provide 100% Board-Certified physicians and surgeons practicing at the professorial level at the nation's leading universities. From Stanford to Yale, and from every medical and surgical specialty, Elite secures full-time practicing high-level experts from the nation’s most respected medical institutions. Each specialist is truly unique – a Board Certified professor with a dedicated clinical practice, extensive publications, and top-tier credentials from a major U.S. medical center. 

Complex Consulting at the Intersection of Medicine & Business
Elite Medical Experts also consults on complex strategic and tactical issues for enterprises of any size, and has extensive experience securing top-tier Professors of Medicine and Surgery for a range of complex consulting engagements. Elite Medical Experts is mission-critical to:

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CEO, Elite Medical Experts, LLC.

View Elite Medical Experts' Expert Witness Profile.

Dr. Robert Evans, PhD,  is a Licensed School Psychologist with over 30 years of experience in the behavioral sciences, including completing over 100 Child Custody Evaluations. Dr. Evans serves as a consultant to the medical, legal, and law enforcement community in Florida on Psychological and Educational matters. He consulted with Orange County Public Defender with cases involving arrest and incarceration of children. He has also provided Critical Incident Stress Debriefings to victims of crime in the Central Florida area. 

Litigation Support - Dr. Evans specializes in Parental Alienation cases which are commonly among those classified as High Conflict Divorce cases and he has written a book on Parental Alienation. He provides litigation support to counsel for both Plaintiff and Defense. His services include support with hearing / trial preparations, review of current evaluations, and support during and after the litigation process. 

Dr. Evans has given sworn testimony as a Forensic Psychology expert witness in NY, IA, IL, PA, GA, FL ID, CO, OH, TX, TN, LA, MA, MD, MO, NC, SC, WA, and OR. 

Areas of Expertise:

• Parental Alienation
• Child Custody Evaluations
• False Allegations of Abuse
• Treatment Considerations for Alienated Children
• Workplace Violence

I am a board-certified emergency medicine physician. I have been called upon to express opinions in the areas of medical malpractice, personal injury, negligence, standard of care, and causation. I am involved in both plaintiff and defense cases, and expert witness work accounts for less than 10% of my total income. 

My qualifications include: 

• Award-winning emergency physician in active practice with 30 years clinical experience
• Associate Clinical Professor of Emergency Medicine at University of California San Francisco School of Medicine (volunteer)
• Current VP of company that staffs 500 emergency departments, overseeing more than 5000 ER providers in risk management and quality assurance issues 
• Fellow of the American College of Emergency Physicians (FACEP) 
• Past President of the California Chapter of the American College of Emergency Physicians 
• Medical Director of California Highway Patrol 
• Extensive publication and speaking experience in the area of emergency medicine

Wayne H. Grant, PharmD, has been a registered Clinical Pharmacist, in good standing, in the State of Ohio, since 1990. Dr. Grant's current clinical practice targets disease state management in multiple areas, including but not limited to; cardiology, gastrointestinal, geriatrics, nephrology, oncology, psychiatry, and pulmonology. 

Consulting Services - Dr. Grant provides Comprehensive Medication Management services, including a complete review of prescriptions and over-the-counter medications. He is available for direct communication with patients and families. 

Experience - A detailed understanding of pain management is paramount to his current practice. Dosage routes from oral, intravenous, intrathecal, and others, in conjunction with strong opioids and adjuvants, garner much of Dr. Grant’s attention. He has delivered local, state, national and international speaking programs reflective of the fundamental practice of pharmacy. As a peer reviewer for the American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy, Dr. Grant has provided feedback on articles that will determine future drug therapies. A history of clinical practice, management, and education culminates present-day understanding of the pharmacy profession. 

View Dr. Grant's Profile.

Charles H. Heller, PhD, is a Clinical and Forensic Psychologist with over 35 years of experience in his field. Dr. Heller offers consultative expert evaluations to assess children and adults for intellectual, emotional, and mental abnormalities as defined by federal regulations. He is experienced in psychotherapy and psychological testing and provides psychological services to a broad spectrum of clients. Dr. Heller is currently on staff at Rutgers University Biomedical Health Service, specializing in criminal behavior and risk assessment. He also serves as a forensic psychologist consultant for the Rockland County (NY) court evaluation service, where he has performed hundreds of child custody, as well as criminal competency and child abuse/neglect evaluations.

Areas of Specialization:

Bi-polar and other Depressive Disorders Personality / Borderline Personality Disorders Anxiety Disorders Pain Disorders Sexual Problems

Victims of Child Sexual Abuse Alcohol and Drug Problems Family / Marital Issues Mental Health Issues Organic and Brain Dysfunction

Agency Consultation - Dr. Heller also offers consultation to agencies to improve team effort and communication and reduce conflict. He facilitates executive and leadership committee meetings, goal setting, and staff training and clinical supervision of other therapists. Dr. Heller is a Forensic Consultant and custody evaluator for the Rockland County (NY) Department of Mental Health and a Child Custody evaluator for the Bergen Family Center, Court Services Program. He is a Consultant to agencies that include: outpatient and inpatient alcoholism and drug abuse treatment centers, schools, foster care agencies, as well as a variety of group homes for emotionally handicapped, children with special needs, adolescents, developmentally delayed, and dual-diagnosed people.

Law Enforcement Personnel Consultation - Dr. Heller offers his services regarding treatment for alcohol and emotional problems as well as fitness for duty evaluations. Member of the Rockland County De-briefing team for police officers, firefighters, and emergency medical technicians who have been involved in traumatic situations and the treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder. Serve as a clinician for the member assistance program of the New York City Patrolman's Benevolent Association. Serve as an EAP clinician for agents and staff of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA).

Speaking Engagements - Dr. Heller has delivered numerous professional speeches and seminars. His volunteer clinical supervisory and professional activities have been recognized by agencies he has helped.

Manhattan: (Mailing Address) Two Park Avenue, 20th Floor New York, NY 10016 Phone: 212-880-3789 - Alt. Phone: 845-354-0535 Fax: 845-354-1287

New Jersey: (Alternate Mailing Address) 140 East Ridgewood Avenue South Tower, Suite 415 Paramus, NJ 07652 Phone: 201-262-0331 Fax: 845-354-1287

View Dr. Heller's Expert Witness Profile.

A Special Education expert for five decades, Dr. Steven C. Imber served as a professor of special education from 1973 2021. He serves as a special education advocate, consultant to attorneys, parents and schools. He has conducted more than 600 independent educational evaluations.

Education:

• B.S. Psychology (High Honors) State University of New York at Buffalo
• Doctoral Studies, Clinical Psychology, University of Connecticut
• M.A. from the Department of Educational Psychology (Special Education - Learning Disabilities), University of Connecticut (Kappa Delta Phi)
• Ph.D. from the Department of Educational Psychology (Special Education -Emotional Disturbance (High Honors)

As a special education expert, Dr. Imber has worked on cases with children, adolescents and adults with a broad array of disabilities. He provides professional advocacy and consultation for children with the following disabilities:

• Autism Disorders
• Attention Deficit Disorders
• Emotional and Behavioral Disorders
• Emotional and Behavioral Disorders Intellectual Disabilities (Cognitive Deficits)
• Learning Disabilities
• Other Disabilities and Disorders

Areas of Expertise:

• Criminal Defense of Individuals with Disabilities – competence to stand trial and comprehension of Miranda Warning Rights
• Family Custody Matters involving Disputes regarding matters of Education and Special Education
• School Safety
• Special Education Regulations and Law
• Wrongful Death

Dr. Imber has been involved in cases from the following states: Alaska, Arizona, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Washington and West Virginia. 

Depositions and Direct Testimony
Dr. Imber has testified in federal court, various district courts, superior court, family and probate court and in numerous due process hearings since 1975.

Below are listed recent cases in which Dr. Imber provided testimony during depositions or directly in various court matters:

• October 21, 2021, Family Court: State of Hawaii, Plaintiff
• October 19, 2021, Hancock County Circuit Court, West Virginia Criminal Action, Defendant
• September 29, 2021, Chicago Public  Schools Cook County, Defendant
• July 6, 2021, Worcester County Probate and Family Court, Plaintiff
• August 10, 2021, Springfield District Court, Defendant
• May – June 2019, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Division of Administrative Law Appeals, Bureau of Special Education Appeals BSEA, Plaintiff

Additional Accomplishments

• Published several articles in national and international journals within the fields of special education and psychology
• Presented at several local, state, regional, national and international conferences and meetings

Rhode Island Office Sprout Building 166 Valley Street Providence, RI 02909 Telephone: 401-421-4004

New York Office 61-43 186th Street Fresh Meadows, NY 11365 Telephone: 516-273-1961

Dr. Imber's CV is available upon request.

Jeffrey A. Sugar, MD has been a practicing Psychiatrist for over 25 years. Board certified both in Child and General Psychiatry, Dr. Sugar is the Director of the Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Trauma Program at the University of Southern California, Keck School of Medicine in Los Angeles, CA.

Dr. Sugar is Attending Psychiatrist in both Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Adult Psychiatry Outpatient Clinics at USC. He teaches child and general psychiatrists-in-training and medical students on topics ranging from Trauma, Adversity, and Dissociation to Psychotherapy theory and methods.

Dr. Sugar was the founding director of the Hathaway Children’s Clinical Research Institute where he performed funded research on the effects of interpersonal child trauma. Dr. Sugar has presented at national and international meetings on child and adolescent Trauma and Dissociation.

Consulting Services Include:

• Effects of Trauma and Adversity on Child Development
• Chronic Physical, Sexual or Emotional Abuse
• Psychological Trauma in the Workplace
• Date Rape / Internet Seduction
• Post-Traumatic Loss, Grief and Depression
• Psychological Effects of Injury to the Body or Brain
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Professional Organizations:

American Psychiatric Association Southern California Psychiatric Society American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry

Southern California Society of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry International Society of Traumatic Stress Studies American Society of Clinical Hypnosis

View Dr. Sugar's Expert Witness Profile.

Joseph W. Burke, MD, board certified, actively participating Diagnostic Radiologist with over 18 years of experience. Dr. Burke has practiced for the last 16 years at Reading Health system which has one of the busiest Emergency Departments on the East Coast and is a Level 2 Trauma Center.

Dr. Burke is a frequent presenter at weekly Tumor, Trauma, Thoracic, and Gastrointestinal Conferences. He served as Chief of the Ultrasound department for several years and currently sits on his group Board of Directors. He offers teaching services, educating radiology technology students, medical students, and residents.

Litigation Support - Dr. Burke provided Medical-Legal forensic case review for attorneys in numerous cases. He has extensive experience in the interpretation of Neurologic and Body Imaging studies and has read in excess of 250,000 images including MRIs, X-Rays, CT Scans, and ultrasounds. Dr. Burke's services are available to counsel representing plaintiff and defendant and include medical record review, written reports, deposition, arbitration, and trial testimony as needed.

Radiology and Diagnostic Radiology Areas of Expertise:

Neurologic Imaging Spine Imaging Vascular Imaging Trauma Radiology Emergent Radiology Body and Neurologic CT Pulmonary Imaging

Gastrointestinal Imagining Genitourinary Imaging Gynecologic Imaging CT Scan MRI Ultrasound X-ray

Current Memberships and Affiliations:

• American Medical Association
• Pennsylvania Medical Society
• American College of Radiology
• Radiological Society of North America
• Eastern Radiological Society
• Pennsylvania Radiological Society

Kevin Kucko, MAPT, ATC is a licensed Physical Therapist with over 23 years of experience. His specialty areas include Work-injury Reduction, Outpatient Services Development, and Physical Rehabilitation. 

Background Experience - Mr. Kucko began his career as an athletic trainer working with athletes from college through the NFL. He quickly focused on accelerating recovery times while rehabilitating orthopedic injuries. In 1995, he completed his Masters’ degree in Physical Therapy. Since that time, he has served as Department Director at various rehabilitation facilities throughout the east. 

Litigation Support - With over 13 years of experience performing Functional Capacity Evaluations, Mr. Kucko has helped hundreds of clients resolve cases with the best possible outcome. He provides services to attorneys representing both Plaintiff and Defense. Kevin Kucko offers meticulous review of medical records in preparation for trial and depositions. For cases where therapy and physical rehabilitation are involved, he sets the foundation by explaining medical conditions and interventions in a clear and concise manner that jurors understand. Mr. Kucko has been deposed and/or testified 14 times since 2010. 

Areas of Expertise:

Physical Therapy Physical Rehabilitation TMJ Dysfunction Peripheral Neuropathy

Sports Performance Neck and Back Pain Headaches Shoulder and Knee Rehab

Joel L. Kent, MD, is an expert in all realms of Pain Medicine and has focused expertise in the prescribing and oversight of opioid analgesics. His specialties include acute and chronic pain management, opioid analgesics, interventional pain management therapies, spinal cord stimulation, intrathecal drug delivery, RSD/CRPS and low back pain.

Dr. Kent has provided expert case reviews and testimony for over twenty years.  The majority of his expert work has focused on the standard of care in the practice of Pain Medicine and the use of opioid analgesics.  Dr. Kent has provided expert case opinions in Federal and State civil courts.  He has provided defense support to the US Department of Justice in two cases.  He has served as an expert witness and case reviewer for both Maryland and New York State.  Dr. Kent assisted the District Attorney of New Jersey in prosecuting a case of unlawful prescribing of controlled substances.  He has provided expert case review and litigation support to health insurance carriers seeking restitution for fraudulent expenses related to opioid therapy.  

Over the course of his career, Dr. Kent has developed particular expertise surrounding the use of opioid analgesics.  He has provided over 50 lectures to other physicians regarding the safe and proper use of these medications.   He has been recognized as an expert in both State and Federal Court in cases related to opioid therapy.  He has served on advisory boards helping craft regulatory policies related to opioid medication.  All these accomplishments attest to Dr. Kent’s high level of expertise in the complex and evolving realm of opioid therapy. 

Primary area of expertise: Pain Medicine

Expert consulting experience:

• Authored over 50 expert case reports
• Participated in over 25 depositions
• Testimony experience in civil trials and professional hearings
• Provides litigation support and expert testimony in plaintiff and defense cases

Professional experience:

• Over 25 years of experience in Pain Medicine
• Triple Board Certified
• Practice Director of University Multi-Disciplinary Pain Management Practices from 1998 to 2017
• Program Director of a Multi-Disciplinary Pain Management Fellowship Training Programs from 1998 to 2015
• Professor of Anesthesiology, Palliative Care, and Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at University of Rochester School of Medicine
• Lectures extensively and published