Medical Record Review Expert Witnesses

John B. Everlove, Paramedic, BA has over 25 years of experience providing Emergency Medical Services. Currently licensed and practicing in California, Mr. Everlove has the following licenses and credentials:

• State of California Paramedic License P03889
• Ventura County Paramedic Certificate of Accreditation
• Advanced Cardiac Life Support Provider
• Pediatric Advanced Life Support Provider
• Basic Life Support Healthcare Instructor
• Basic Life Support Healthcare Provider
• Drug Abuse Recognition Evaluator
• Federal Emergency Management Agency Emergency Response Team Member
• National Association of Emergency Medical Services Association of Education Instructor
• National Incident Management Systems Provider
• Emergency Vehicle Operations Course Instructor

Litigation Support - Mr. Everlove provides dependable and professional litigation and support services for both plaintiffs and defendants. As a Supervisor and Clinical Manager for an organization of 150 employees, he conducted numerous investigations related to all aspects of Pre-Hospital Emergency Care from inception, to final review and root cause analysis. Mr. Everlove has participated in the research, development and implementation of clinical care equipment, policy and procedure design and implementation, as well as clinical educational services for Paramedics and EMTs. Areas of Expertise:

Pre-hospital Standard of Care EMT / Paramedic Standard of Care EMT / Paramedic Misconduct Ambulance Driving & Operations Patient Transportation Patient Care Documentation

Electronic Patient Care Records Medical Legal Consent EMT / Paramedic Training & Education CPR / AED Lifting Opiates / Antidotes

View John Everlove's Consulting Profile.

Dr. Patricia J. Bartzak, DNP, RN, CMSRN, is a highly educated Bedside Registered Nurse with an active practice in a level one trauma center for a leading academic medical center in the northeast. Dr. Bartzak has more than 17 years of bedside experience with multiple nursing certifications including trauma and burn care, as well as cardiac and advanced cardiac life support. In addition to her current role, Dr. Bartzak has practice experience with cardiac, stable ventilator and geriatric-psychiatry patients. Dr. Bartzak has a program of research with the veteran population in the area of post-traumatic stress disorder. She is a column editor for a peer-reviewed nursing journal and frequently submits and has been published in MedSurg Matters, the journal of the Academy of Medical-Surgical Nurses. Dr. Bartzak is well-versed in research protocols, and remains current on a number of research trials. Dr. Bartzak maintains CITI certification and is a voting member of an Institutional Review Board (IRB). Dr. Bartzak is currently co-chairing the American Nurse's Association (ANA) Nursing Scope & Standards of Practice used by the country's 3 million nurses. Dr. Bartzak is also a peer reviewer for the Journal of Trauma Nursing. Dr. Bartzak views nursing as a way of life. She teaches nursing at all levels of educational preparation: associates, bachelors, masters and doctoral levels. Dr. Bartzak is a fierce advocate for her students and patients, while also ensuring that nursing standards are met. Dr. Bartzak has expert witness experience, and is know for her meticulous medical record review, footnoted and referenced information to supplement her own knowledge and experience to bring critical information and insight to a case and has reviewed more than 40 cases, and been deposed in approximately 8 cases. View Dr. Bartzak's Consulting Profile.

Paul M. Adler, DO, FACEP, MBA, Medical Director for the Ventura County, California, Department of Corrections, has worked in Correctional / Jail/ Prison Medicine since 1995. He has overseen the care of inmates in Jails in California and New York, as well as Prison inmates who have been transferred to county facilities to serve their terms for years in county jails in California. He has also overseen Correctional health car in locked units in Hospitals .

Dr. Adler is the President-Elect of The American Correctional Health Services Association of California / Nevada, which represents all clinicians and administrators in Jails/Prisons in California and Nevada. He previously oversaw a County Hospital, County Nursing Home and ran a County Health Department and oversaw Correctional healthcare for the Westchester, New York Jail.

Litigation Support - Dr. Adler has defended Jails and Prisons in Southern California, Idaho, Texas, North Carolina, New York, Pennsylvania, etc. He has been involved in Plaintiff litigation in many states including against Rikers Island, NY and Cook County Jail.

Dr. Adler still works as a full-time practicing physician and has helped attorneys and insurance companies in Emergency Medicine, Nursing Home Medicine, Public Health and Hospital Administration since 1985. Dr. Adler is available to review and consult on clinical Correctional/Jail/Prison cases for attorneys for both Plaintiff and Defense.

Services:

• Screen Cases for Merit
• Review, Analyze and interpret Medical Records
• Provide Basic or Comprehensive Written Reports
• Interpret Standards of Care, Deviation and Adherences as they Relate to Correctional Health Care
• Develop Chronological Time Lines
• Policy and Procedure Development

Roger M. Katz, MD, is Board certified in Allergy and Immunology and Pediatrics. Dr. Katz has been in the private practice of Allergy & Immunology since 1973. He has been honored as one of the "Best Doctors of America" and elected as one of "Southern California Super Doctors" by his peers.

Dr. Katz is currently a Clinical Professor of Pediatrics at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. He is the author of over 100 articles, monographs, and chapters on medicine, mostly related to Allergy, Sinus and Asthma Disorders.

Litigation Support - Dr. Katz has approximately 20 years experience in defense and plaintiff expert witness evaluations. His services include Medical Legal Reviews, Depositions, and Court Appearances involving:

• Allergy and Asthma Medical Care
• Exposures to the Environment - i.e. Sick Building Syndromes
• Exposures to Cleaning Agents
• Exposures to Insecticides
• Mold Intrusion
• Fire Related Exposures and Effects on Asthma and Allergy
• Oil Slick and Solvent Exposure
• Insect Sting & Bite Reactions

View Dr. Katz's Consulting Profile.

Andrew J. Manganaro, MD has been a board certified Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgeon for more than 25 years. He has experience in all areas of adult cardiac, vascular, and thoracic surgery, and has cared for more than 10,000 patients in his practice.

Litigation Support - Dr. Manganaro has more than 15 years of experience in medical expert opinions for both plaintiffs and defendants. His services include medical record review, written reports, depositions, and trial testimony as needed. He is licensed to practice in Ohio, Michigan, Delaware, New Mexico, Illinois, New York, Indiana, Wisconsin, Iowa, and North Dakota.

Areas of Expertise:

Cardiac Surgery Pulmonary Surgery Esophageal Surgery

Trauma Surgery Vascular Surgery Endovascular Surgery

Joseph A. Hlavin, PhD, PA-C has 27 years of surgical experience as a Physician Assistant in Neurological Surgery. Dr. Hlavin originally became NCCPA board certified as a Physician Assistant in 1992 and re-certified in 1998, 2004, 2010, and 2015. He has held licensure in both the state of Michigan and the state of Oklahoma. He is presently licensed in the state of Texas.

Dr. Hlavin has been in the practice of neurosurgery since 1991. He has been involved in the training of physician assistants enrolled at the University of Oklahoma and Grand Valley State University in Michigan as a clinical preceptor. He is currently a Clinical Instructor for the TAMHSC College of Medicine and the Founding Program Director of the developing PA program at Texas A&M University College of Medicine. He continues as the director for the Texas A&M Health Science Center Postgraduate Physician Assistant Residency in Neurosurgery and precepts physician assistant students from both national and state PA graduate programs.

Dr. Hlavin has held several appointments:

• Physician Assistant liaison to Membership Committee, American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS)
• Physician Assistant liaison to Scientific Program Committee of the AANS
• Physician Assistant liaison to the Executive Committee, Joint section of Neurotrauma and Critical Care
• President of the Association of Neurosurgical Physician Assistants (ANSPA)

Dr. Hlavin is a veteran of the United States Navy receiving an honorable discharged in 1990 after serving over 6 years as a hospital corpsman. He was awarded the Navy Achievement Medal, Good Conduct Medal, and ribbons for service overseas and Meritorious Unit Commendation.

Litigation Support - Joseph A. Hlavin, PhD, PA-C has experience as an expert witness on several cases regarding postoperative complications in spine surgery. His services are available to counsel representing Plaintiff and Defendant and include medical record review, written reports, depositions, and trial testimony.

Areas of Expertise:

Surgical Assistant Surgical First Assistant Neurology Spinal Surgery Brain Surgery

Postoperative Spine Complications Neurological Surgery Malpractice Spinal Surgery Malpractice Traumatic Brain Stem Injury (TBI / TBSI) Neuro Oncology

Monica M. Argumedo, MD, is a Board-Certified Forensic and Clinical Psychiatrist (ABPN). Dr. Argumedo has testified about her forensic opinions in more than 40 cases in open court. In psychiatric practice for more than 15 years, Dr. Argumedo teaches at Rush University Medical School/Rush University Medical Center as Assistant Professor in Psychiatry. She teaches psychiatry residents in topics related to psychiatry and the law, and psychiatry in medicine. She also interviews prospective medical students through her role on the Medical Admissions Committee.

Dr. Argumedo works with Employers in cases where mental health/psychiatric concerns about an employee require an objective and unbiased Fitness for Duty Evaluation and report. She also consults in employment matters and litigation and serves as a disclosed expert witness. Her work addresses fitness for duty (FFD) in a litigated environment, Wrongful Termination, and Psychiatric Disability. Additional experience includes FFD of peace officers and first responders.

Services - Forensic Psychiatry, Medico-Legal evaluations, medical complications, review of records, written reports, deposition testimony, trial testimony, consultation to attorneys addressing psychiatric issues relevant in a case, opposing counsel expert reports or expert qualifications, assisting with cross-examination questions, and lines of inquiry.

Areas of Expertise:

Fitness for Duty Wrongful Termination Psychiatric Disability Depression Anxiety PTSD Competency Dementia Cognitive Behavior Emotional Distress

Pain and Suffering Standard of Care Institutional Care Medical Malpractice Discrimination Harassment Hostile Workplace Pre-employment Evaluation Security-sensitive Security Clearance

Avrum R. Goldstein, DMD, FRCD(c) is Board Certified in Periodontics, both in Canada, as a Fellow of the Royal College of Dentists, as well as in the United States, as a Diplomate of the American Board of Periodontics. Dr. Goldstein has over 40 years of experience in his field.

Dr. Goldstein has excellent academic credentials, including 15 years as an Assistant Clinical Professor at Yale University School of Medicine. He is currently an Adjunct Faculty member at Nova Southeastern University. He has placed thousands of dental implants during his career and is currently licensed in New York.

Dr. Goldstein has been offering litigation support services to attorneys for over 25 years. He is an excellent writer, an articulate speaker and an experienced teacher. He understands both patients and dentists.

Areas of Expertise:

Dental Implants Dental Implant Surgery Dental Surgery Oral Surgery Gum Disease Periodontics Infection in the Mouth Loss of Teeth Failure to Diagnose

Problems with Crowns Poor Dental Esthetics Extractions Bone Loss Decay Sinus Perforation Loss of Teeth Loose Teeth Dental Malpractice

View Dr. Goldstein's Consulting Profile.

Neshi Bakshi, MD, PE, FACOG, CHCQM, has been Board Certified in Obstetrics and Gynecology for over 30 years. Dr. Bakshi is a Diplomat of the American Board of Quality Assurance and Utilization Review Physicians (ABQAURP) with a Sub-Specialty Certification in Managed Care Healthcare Quality and Management (CHCQM) in 1995. She has been in private Obstetric and Gynecology practice since 1974 with a good crimson report.

Litigation Support - Dr. Bakshi has worked with attorneys for plaintiff and insurers on a flat fee basis with a cost effective initial retainer. She is available to review cases for CMA and IME with successful outcomes.

Dr. Bakshi was a consultant for medical insurance companies for medical decisions, concurrent and retrospective case review, level II and II appeals, and utilization reviews, peer reviews in accordance with the healthcare quality act, individual reviews for quality severity level and corrective action.

Reproductive Endocrinology - Infertility - Gynecology
A top doctor in his field, Barry S. Verkauf, MD, MBA, CPE, has more than 40 years of practice expertise in Gynecology and Reproductive Endocrinology/ Infertility, as well as medical management having earned an MBA from USF College of Business in 1997.He has served in leadership positions in both hospital and medical organizations.

A respected and long-standing figure in his field, Dr. Verkauf currently serves as an Affiliate Professor in Obstetrics and Gynecology at the Morsani College of Medicine at the University of South Florida where he was on the founding faculty and initiated the Division of Reproduction Endocrinology and Infertility in 1974. In 1981, he was the founding Partner of The Reproductive Medicine Group which continues as one of the largest and most successful private practices in his specialty in the State of Florida.

Dr. Verkauf has been a reviewer for high impact journals, KePro Peer Review Organization and has published 25 papers, 8 abstracts, 3 book chapters, and 3 books. He has been active in the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, serving on several committees and as their Delegate to the American Medical Association for 15 years.

Over the last 20 years, Dr. Verkauf has been awarded many honors recognizing his clinical and leadership expertise, and most recently was recognized by Marquis Who's Who with their Lifetime Achievement Award in Reproductive Medicine.

Litigation Support - Dr. Verkauf offers expert witness services in cases involving Reproductive Endocrinology, Infertility, and other Obstetric and Gynecological matters. His services are available to insurance companies with questions and attorneys representing plaintiff and defendant and include peer review, medical record review, written reports, deposition, and trial testimony.

Steven A. Bernstein, DPM, FACFAS, FASPS, is a doctor of Podiatric Medicine who specializes in Foot and Ankle Reconstructive Surgery.

Dr. Bernstein is currently on the Surgical Review Committee at Meadowlands Hospital Medical Center in Secaucus, New Jersey, and Chief of Foot and Ankle Services at Citimed, Complete Medical Care Injury Doctors serving Brooklyn, the Bronx, Queens, and New York, New York. He also served as an Expert Medical Advisor (EMA) in the Division of Workman Compensation for the State of Florida for a period of seven years.

Litigation Support - Dr. Bernstein has over 28 years of experience performing Independent Medical Examinations (IMEs) and 2nd Opinions for cases involving Trauma and Reconstructive Foot and Ankle Surgery. He has provided over 1,000 IMEs and been deposed and/or testified approximately 500 times for attorneys representing plaintiff and defendant. Dr. Bernstein offers litigation support services in New Jersey, New York, and Florida.

Areas of Expertise:

Podiatric Surgery Foot Trauma Surgery Foot Reconstructive Surgery Complex Revision Surgery (CRS) Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) Failed Foot and Ankle Surgery

Charcot / Residual Clubfoot Deformities Limb Salvage and Preservation External and Internal Fixation Techniques Ankle and Small Joint Arthroscopy Ankle, Heel, Foot Pain Management Sports Injuries

Fort Lee Office 1608 Lemoine Ave, Suite 205 Fort Lee, NJ 07024 Telephone: 201-482-8236

Jersey City Office 377 Jersey Ave, Suite 590 Jersey City, NJ 07302 Telephone: 201-482-8236

Gerald W. Smetana, MD, Board Certified in Internal Medicine, is a General Internist with over 31 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 teaches internal medicine to medical house staff and also extensively to practicing clinicians in continuing medical education settings. 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 trial as an expert more than 45 times. He has reviewed several hundred medical malpractice cases over the past 10 years both for plaintiffs and doctors. Dr. Smetana also consults for risk management insurers. His primary care, record review, and medicolegal consultation services are available throughout the United States.

Elbridge F. Bills, MD, FACOG, is a board certified OB/GYN with over 20 years of clinical experience in Obstetrics & Gynecology. Dr. Bills is a graduate of Emory Medical School and received a Master's degree in Metabolic & Nutritional Medicine from the University of South Florida.

With a full-time practice caring for and managing low and high risk pregnancies and deliveries, Dr. Bills also has an active gynecological practice including hysteroscopic, laparoscopic, and robotic procedures. He is licensed in both Georgia and Florida.

Dr. Bills is Board Certified by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology, a member of the American Association of Gynecological Laparoscopists, the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine, and the International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Litigation Support - Dr. Bills offers expert witness services to attorneys representing plaintiff and defense. He is available for cases involving medical malpractice and other OB-GYN related injuries. His services include medical record review, thorough reporting, depositions, and trial testimony as needed.

Areas of Expertise:

Normal & High Risk Pregnancies Hysteroscopic Gynecology Laparoscopic Gynecology Reconstructive and Robotic Surgery

Gynecological Ultrasound Integrative Medicine Hormone Therapy Testosterone Therapy

Michael Blumenkrantz, MD, FACP, FACN, CNSP, has over 40 years of experience specializing in Internal Medicine and Nephrology. Dr. Blumenkrantz is an internationally recognized expert in Internal Medicine, Dialysis, Kidney Disease, Total Parenteral Nutrition, and Nutrition. Achieving the rank of Associate Professor of Medicine (in residence) at UCLA, he has been in private practice for the past 30 years.

Litigation Support - Dr. Blumenkrantz has been offering litigation support services to counsel representing both Plaintiff and Defense for 15 years. Approximately 40% of his cases involve renal issues and the remainder are in the field of internal medicine. Dr. Blumenkrantz has been involved in 350 cases in the past 15 years and has been deposed approximately 120 times. He has testified at 30 trials and arbitrations.

Areas of Expertise:

Internal Medicine Dialysis Hemodialysis Peritoneal CAPD Kidney Disease Obesity Nutrition Support

Total Parenteral Nutrition (TPN) Critical Care Hypertension Long Term Geriatric Care Medical / Legal Quality Assurance Personal Injury Medical Malpractice

View Dr. Blumenkrantz's Consulting Profile.

Brent W. Sherwood, MD, is Board Certified in Family Medicine with a license to practice in Texas and Kansas. He also has a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering with 15 years experience in the industry as an Engineer. Dr. Sherwood holds 4 United States Patents.

Education & Training

• Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Residency
• Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Medicine, Medical School

Litigation Support - Dr. Sherwood provides expert witness services for cases involving Family Medicine. His services are available to attorneys representing plaintiff and defendant and include medical record review, thorough reporting, deposition, and trial testimony as needed.