Preventive Healthcare Expert Witnesses: 9

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.

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.

C. Michael Wright, MD, FACC, DABCL, FNLA, is board certified in Internal Medicine, Cardiovascular Disease, and Clinical Lipidology. With 30 years of experience, his main interest and focus is in preventing cardiovascular disease through a combination of lifestyle interventions, sophisticated risk assessment and, when appropriate, judicious use of medications. 

Litigation Support - Dr. Wright has been providing medical expert witness consultative services to attorneys representing both plaintiff and defendant for over five years. His services include medical record review, written reports, depositions, and trial testimony. Dr. Wright's cases include issues of: Cardiovascular Disease - Internal Medicine - Clinical Lipidology - Preventive Cardiology

Background - Dr. Wright is currently a Cardiologist in private practice at Scripps Memorial Hospital, Scripps Center for Executive Health, and a Staff physician at Scripps Memorial Hospital in La Jolla, California. Dr. Wright completed his cardiovascular fellowship at UCSD. 

From 1999 to 2007, Dr. Wright founded and served as CEO of the LifeScore Clinic. During this time, he performed over 15,000 comprehensive assessments on clients from all over the world. Dr. Wright combined sophisticated body imaging with extensive lab work, often including genetic testing and advanced biomarker testing. His published research, 20 publications in peer-reviewed journals, is the most comprehensive CT database. It demonstrates that standard chest CTs can be used to accurately predict cardiovascular mortality by quantifying the calcium in the coronary arteries. 

Dr. Wright is a voluntary Clinical Professor at UCSD, Department of Family and Preventive Medicine, where he mentors post doctoral students and assists with research papers on data collected at LifeScore Clinic. He is also on the LipoScience Advisory Panel and Speaker Panel where he counsels on the various density lipoprotein (LDL) particles in the blood and provides physicians and their patients with information to personalize management of risk for heart disease.

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

Robert M. Stark, MD, has 40 years of experience practicing Internal Medicine, Cardiology, and Preventive Medicine. A graduate of Harvard Medical School, he is in full-time practice in cardiology and internal medicine. Dr. Stark is past-president of the Connecticut Society of Internal Medicine. He serves as Adjunct Clinical Professor of Medicine at New York Medical College. and Director of his hospital’s Cardiovascular Prevention Program.  Dr. Stark teaches residents and medical students as Adjunct Clinical Professor of Medicine. He also speaks frequently on cardiovascular topics for lay and professional groups as well as the media. Education: B.S.  University of Michigan  (Phi Beta Kappa) M.D.  Harvard Medical School  (Honors) Medical Residency  U. of Pennsylvania Hospital Cardiology Fellowship  National Institutes of Health  (N.I.H.)

Litigation Support: Dr. Stark has 20 years of litigation experience in state and federal jurisdictions. He has served as a senior member of his state’s Medical Malpractice Claims Review Panel, where he helped determine the defensibility of cases on behalf of malpractice insurers and individual law firms. He also had responsibility for advising on defensibility of cases for Aetna Life & Casualty and CNA Insurance, as well as for individual law firms.

Dr. has given deposition and trial testimony in over 125 cases. He specializes in reviewing and explaining medical treatments and potential complications of cardiac conditions, and in evaluating medical treatments for standard of care. Dr. Stark provides summaries and reports that are cogent and complete. He firmly believes that the ability to communicate effectively is as essential to medicolegal work as it is to quality patient care.

 Cardiovascular Disease and Internal Medicine Expertise:

Preventive Medicine Heart Attack Myocardial Infarction Angina Stroke Syncope

Cardiac Arrest Sudden Death Stress Test Echocardiogram Congestive Heart Failure Aortic Dissection

Atrial Fibrillation Arrhythmia Pulmonary Embolus Anticoagulation Coumadin Valvular Disease

View Dr. Stark'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.

Paul R. Minton, MD, FACC, FACP, has over 40 years of experience practicing medicine as a Cardiologist. Certified in Internal Medicine and in Cardiovascular Disease. Dr. Minton is a Fellow of the American College of Physicians, a Fellow of the American College of Cardiology, and was Governor for the American College of Cardiology in Maine. Licensed to practice in Maine and Georgia,Dr. Minton continues to practice as he is highly sought after by the legal  profession for his expertise in cardiac issues,especially myocardinal infarction and sudden death resulting from work and personal injury. 

Specialties Include:

• Weaknesses in Strategies of Coronary Heart Disease and Acute Myocardial Infarction Management
• Legal Implications of Adverse Reactions from Cardiac Drugs
• Weaknesses of the Electronic Health Record and Impact on Patient Care and Outcomes
• Impact of Uncontrolled Hypertension 

• Litigation Support - Dr. Minton has been a consultant in Forensic Cardiology to the legal profession for over 35 years. His special interest is the impact of personal injury and psychosocial and work stress on the heart, and as factors in sudden death. Dr. Minton's cases involve: Standard of Care issues in diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular diseases. His services are available to counsel representing Plaintiff and Defendant and include medical record review, written reports, depositions, and trial testimony when necessary.

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.

Gloria Kardong, MD 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.