Preventive Healthcare Expert Witnesses: 8

Lawrence Amsel, MD, MPH, specializes in Family Loss and Forensic Psychiatry. With an MD from Yale University and an MPH in Biostatistics from Columbia University, Dr. Amsel combined his academic credentials and clinical expertise with his experience as an expert witness to offer excellent evaluations, written reports and court testimony. Dr. Amsel provides Litigation Support services to attorneys representing Plaintiff and Defense. His services include medical record review for causation and standard of care. He was one of the early champions of the application of Decision Science, Game Theory, and Behavioral Economics to Psychiatric Research. . Areas of Expertise:

Medical Decision Making Health Care Behavioral Economics Health Care Game Theory Pediatric Psychiatry Public Health Suicide

OCD Family Loss Neuropsychiatry PTSD Psychiatry Grief

Background - In 2003, Dr. Amsel organized the first ever American Psychiatric Association symposium on applications of Game Theory to psychiatry. He has published articles and presented posters on Game Theory modeling of suicide, OCD, and PTSD. After 9/11, Dr. Amsel joined the Trauma Studies and Services division at the New York Psychiatric Institute, and has been involved in treating victims of 9/11 and their families, in training community clinicians in cutting edge treatments for PTSD and Complicated (Traumatic) Grief, as well as in doing research on optimal methods of disseminating this training. Dr. Amsel was recently involved in preparing the training materials for the National VA PTSD CBT training program in conjunction with Edna Foa’s group at University of Pennsylvania. He has worked with Joy Hirsch at the Program in Imaging and Cognitive Science (PICS) and with Elke Weber and Eric Johnson at the related Decision Imaging Group (DIG) as Director of Mathematical Psychiatry, with the goal of creating innovative collaborations involving fMRI and Decision Science, as applied to psychiatric disorders. Over the last several years, Dr. Amsel has been collaborating with Dr. Hoven at the Child Psychiatric Epidemiology Group (CPEG) working on understanding the connection between decision deficits, trauma and psychiatric disorders in the developing brain of children/adolescents. He has extensive clinical expertise within psychiatric research, as well as expertise in applying decision science tasks in psychiatric research settings. View Dr. Amsel's Consulting Profile.

Linnda Durre', Ph.D., Licensed Psychotherapist, (FL License #MH6058) is an expert witness, psychotherapist, family counselor, intern supervisor, international speaker, corporate trainer, author, business consultant, adjunct college professor, and a magazine, Internet, and newspaper columnist. Her four areas of court expertise are Family Law, Personal Injury Law, Employment Law, and Criminal Law. 

Litigation Support: With over 46 years of experience, she consults to attorneys and has been qualified as an expert witness in nine (9) states - Florida. Alabama, California, Arkansas, Georgia, Connecticut, Washington, Tennessee, and Iowa - in the areas of Personal Injury, PTSD, Family and Couples Counseling, Divorce, Child Custody, Relocation, Drug and Alcohol Counseling, Sexual Harassment, Sexual Abuse by Psychotherapists, as well as Age, Race, Gender, and Sexual Orientation Discrimination. Her 400-page doctoral dissertation and research in the latter area was cited to pass legislation in several states. 

Dr. Durre' has hosted and produced four radio shows, two of which were call-in advice shows and two are interview shows. Her current show "Linnda Durre' Interviews" airs daily for one hour on www.VegeRadio.com. at 4 PM ET, 3 PM CT, 2 PM MT & 1 PM PT.  Dr. Linnda Durre' has hosted and produced two call-in advice TV shows, including being selected in a national search of 200 applicants, to host, "Ask The Family Therapist," on America's Health Network (AHN), which was associated with Mayo Clinic and each show aired daily for two hours from Universal Studios Orlando.

She has appeared on Oprah, 60 Minutes, O'Reilly (twice), Today Show, Good Morning America, Canada AM, Daytime, Donahue (twice), Sally Jessy Raphael, People Are Talking, Home Show, Hour Magazine, Home and Family Show, Disney Channel, and the local and/or national news on NPR, PBS, CBS, ABC, NBC, CW, and Fox.

Dr. Durre' has been interviewed, cited, and/or quoted by the NY Times, LA Times, Forbes, WSJ, IBD, Business Week, SF Chronicle & Examiner, Toronto Globe & Mail, Albany Times Union, Atlanta Journal Constitution, Orlando Business Journal, Orlando Sentinel, Parade Magazine, Alternative Medicine Magazine, CNN Online, Washington Parent Magazine, Screen Actor Magazine, Florida Magazine, Pasadena Star News, Orlando Magazine, Women's Health Magazine, and others.

View Linda Durre's Consulting Profile.

Gloria Kardong, MD, DLFAPA, DABPN is a Board Certified Psychiatrist with specialties in Psychotherapy and Psychomarmacology. In full time private practice in Palo Alto, CA for the past 25 years, Dr. Kardong offers services to individuals, couples, adolescents, and adults. She is an Adjunct Clinical Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Stanford University Medical Center and a Distinguished Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association. Dr. Kardong offers Forensic Psychiatric litigation support services in civil and criminal cases to attorneys for Plaintiff and Defense. Her services include General Psychiatric Issues, Women's OB/GYN Issues, and the Evaluation and Treatment of Impaired Professionals and/or consultation with their professional organizations. Dr. Kardong is a Psychiatric Consultant and Expert Witness for Stanford University Schools of Law and Medicine, the California Medical Board, and private attorneys nationwide. She has been retained as an expert over 20 times. Areas of Expertise:

Women's Health Care Specialist - Psychiatry / OB-GYN Interface:

Pregnancy-Related Psychiatric Problems Psychiatric Medications in Pregnancy and Postpartum Postpartum Depression / Psychosis Infertility Gynecology / Oncology

Menopause Hormonal Issues Childhood Sexual / Other Abuse Adult Consequences Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Eating Disorders

Impaired Professionals:

• Physicians
• Mental Health Providers
• Attorneys
• Executives / Professionals
• Organizations

View Dr. Kardong's Consulting Profile.

Jerald L. Cook, MD, FACOEM, is Board certified in Occupational Medicine and Public Health and Preventive Medicine. With additional experience in Environmental Medicine and Toxicology, Dr. Cook has broad background experience, serving such industries as nuclear power, firefighters, healthcare workers, police officers, veterinarians, public service, transportation, military and veterans, warehousing and retail, environmental engineering, business services, and federal government. Dr. Cook is currently the Senior Medical Officer of the Occupational Health Department at the Naval Medical Center San Diego. He has served in various leadership and subject matter expert roles within his specialty. He provides OSHA compliant medical surveillance examinations, FMCSA certification examinations, and manages federal workers’ compensation injuries and illnesses. 

Litigation Support - Dr. Cook provides expert witness services for cases involving Environmental and Industrial Exposures, Occupational Medicine, and Public Health. He has conducted peer review on hundreds of thousands of medical records. Dr. Cook's services include medical record review, causation analysis, written reports, depositions, and trial testimony as needed. He is also a Registered Nurse, and has testified as an expert on the training and standards of nursing care. He is also an expert in conditioning and physical fitness as they relate to capacity, as an IRONMAN Certified Coach and endurance athlete himself for over 30 years. 

Areas of Expertise:

Workers' Compensation Neuromuscular / Musculoskeletal Injuries Workplace Drug Testing Psychiatry Environmental / Work Stress Service Animals Exercise Science Ionizing Radiation Environmental Exposures Long Term Disability

Peer Review DOT / FMCSA Travel Medicine Mold Organic Solvents Metals Heat Injuries Impairment Ratings Fitness for Duty Determinations Short Term Disability/FMLA

View Dr. Cook's Consulting Profile.

Robert B. Sklaroff, MD, is medical specialist, Board-Certified in Internal Medicine since 1977 and in Medical Oncology since 1979. Currently a solo practitioner, Dr. Sklaroff has been an Independent Medical Examiner since 2009.

Dr. Sklaroff has testified on the issue of health care before nine governmental bodies including the National Cancer Advisory Board. He has also provided written testimony to the House of Representatives Committee on Ways and Means regarding FDA Reform and has delivered over 190 lectures on topics within his area of expertise including smoking cessation. A prolific author, Dr. Sklaroff has written numerous articles on issues involving cancer and smoking.

Robert B. Sklaroff, MD, is an Oncology, Hematology, and Internal Medicine specialist who has been retained as an Expert over 500 times. Having worked with the legal industry for over 27 years, Dr. Sklaroff has been qualified by a court to give expert testimony more than 60 times and has given more than 1000 depositions.

Dr. Sklaroff, completed Fellowships at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center and at Hahnemann University; he is currently a solo-practitioner, Board-Certified in Internal Medicine since 1977 and in Medical Oncology since 1979. He has been an Independent Medical Examiner since 2009.

Dr. Sklaroff offers Expert Witness services for both Plaintiff and Defense on issues involving Causation, Damages and Standards of Care.

Selected Areas of Expertise:

Breast Cancer Rectal Cancer Colon Cancer Leukemia Non-Lymphocytic Leukemia

Bone Metastases Chemotherapy Administration Pump Infusions Hematology Tobacco - Smoking Cessation

View Dr. Sklaroff's Consulting Profile.

Joshua A. Schwimmer, MD, FACP, FASN, is a Columbia-trained, double board-certified, full-time practicing Nephrologist and Internist based in New York City. He is on the medical staff at Lenox Hill Hospital in Manhattan and is an Assistant Professor of Medicine at the Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell. An award-winning physician-teacher of medical students and doctors, Dr. Schwimmer trained at New York-Presbyterian Hospital and the Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons. Dr. Schwimmer has published more than 30 scientific papers, abstracts, and book chapters; his scientific publications are cited in the medical literature and in textbooks; and his research has been presented at national and international conferences. Dr. Schwimmer is a fellow of the American College of Physicians and the American Society of Nephrology.

Degrees / Certifications: Nephrology Fellowship, Columbia University Medical Center, New York-Presbyterian Hospital. Internal Medicine Residency, Strong Memorial Hospital. M.D., University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry. Board Certified in Nephrology. Board Certified in Internal Medicine. New York State Medical License.

Awards / Honors: Fellow of the American College of Physicians. Fellow of the American Society of Nephrology. Clinical Fellowship Award, National Kidney Foundation of NY and NJ. Clinical Fellowship Award, Kidney and Urology Foundation of America. Medicine Fellow of the Year Award for House Staff Teaching, Columbia University Medical Center. Human Values in Health Care Award, University of Rochester Medical Center. Phi Beta Kappa, Wesleyan University.

Litigation Support - Dr. Schwimmer is a Nephrologist (kidney specialist) and internist (general medical doctor) available for expert witness consultations to both defense and plaintiff attorneys. His services include medical record review, causation determination, thorough reports, depositions, and trial testimony as needed. He has provided expert review and testimony in cases involving:

Acute Kidney Injury Kidney Failure Hyperkalemia Hyponatremia Rhabdomyolysis Electrolyte Disorders

Hypertension Urinary Tract Infections Pyelonephritis End Stage Renal Disease Dialysis Other Medical Conditions

Richard M. Sobel, MD, DFAPA, has over 30 years of experience practicing Adult Psychiatry and Pain Management / Medicine. His specialty focus is in Pain Medicine, for which he has sub-specialty board certification, Psychotherapy, and Psychopharmacology. Dr. Sobel is currently a Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at Jefferson Medical School. A Distinguished Life Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association, Dr. Sobel is also immediate Past President of the Greater Philadelphia Pain Society, one of six regional chapters of the American Pain Society. He is a Representative of the Pennsylvania Psychiatry Society to the Safe and Effective Prescribing Practices and Pain Management Work Group of the Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs. In 2014, Dr. Sobel was the recipient of the Dean's Award for Excellence in Education at Jefferson Medical College and, in 2013, was nominated Practitioner of the Year by the Philadelphia Psychiatric Society. Litigation Support - Dr. Sobel offers expert witness services to counsel representing both plaintiff and defendant. Dr. Sobel's services include Independent Medical Exams (IMEs), medical record review, utilization review, written reports, depositions, and trial testimony as needed. Areas of Expertise:

Psychopharmacology Worker's Compensation Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Sleep Disorders Depression Anxiety

Complex Regional Pain Syndrome Neuropathic Pain Trauma Opioids Addiction Pain Medication

View Dr. Sobel's Consulting Profile.

A grandson of tobacco company founder R.J. Reynolds, Patrick Reynolds first spoke out publicly at a 1986 Congressional hearing in favor of a ban on all cigarette advertising. Since then, his advocacy work and appearances in the national press have made him a well known champion of a Smokefree Society. 

Mr. Reynolds' advocacy work and motivational talks to youth and adults have made him a well-known and respected champion of a smokefree society. He has helped remind many thousands of people of the dangers of smoking. Mr. Reynolds is a frequent guest speaker at universities and health conferences, and also middle and high schools. His talks are often sponsored by health departments and hospitals, as a bridge builder to local communities. He is frequently invited to debate on Fox News Channel, CNBC, CNN and other networks, and has been profiled by most of the world's major newspapers and US TV networks

Mr. Reynolds serves as Executive Director of the Tobaccofree Earth, a nonprofit group he founded in 1989. Its mission is to motivate youth around the world to stay tobacco-free, and empower smokers to quit successfully. In 2019 the San Francisco Chronicle published an editorial Reynolds wrote against Vaping Products. It congratulated voters for approving the first citywide ban of the sale of all vaping and flavored tobacco products, except menthol and tobacco. New York City passed a similar ban later that year.

Mr. Reynolds was a strong advocate for the Federal tobacco tax hike of 62 cents, signed into law by Obama in 2009 on his 17th day in office. USA Today published an editorial by Reynolds making a compelling case for higher tobacco taxes. He was also a proponent of the Congressional bill for FDA regulation of tobacco. In March, 2009, he met in Washington DC with Rep. Henry Waxman, co-sponsor of the bill, to offer his support. In June the same year, the bill was passed by Congress and signed by President Obama.

In September 2015, the White House and President Obama presented him with the President’s Lifetime Achievement Award.