Aspiration Pneumonia Expert Witnesses

Aspiration pneumonia expert witnesses and consultants listed here may be able to form expert opinions, draft expert witness reports, provide expert witness testimony at deposition and/or trial as or serve as consulting (non-testifying) experts on aspiration pneumonia. The aspiration pneumonia expert witness listings on this page are typically from fields/areas of expertise such as: Family Medicine, Geriatrics, Hospitalist, Internal Medicine, Medical Management, Pulmonary Critical Care Medicine, Sleep Medicine, and Speech-Language Pathology.

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Omar S Darwish, MS, DO

Hospitalist Medicine - University Physician

The University of California, Irvine

Orange, California
Hospitalist, Internal Medicine - Sepsis, Stroke, decubitus ulcer, aspiration pneumonia, deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, myocardial infarction, unusual diseases, postoperative surgical complications, atrial fibrillation, anticoagulation, IME, medical claims, fall, infection, bleeding
Dr. Omar S. Darwish is board certified in Internal Medicine and is a full-time practicing Hospitalist at the University of California, Irvine Medical Center in Orange, California. He received his residency training in internal medicine at St. Mary Medical Center and Harbor-UCLA Medical Center. He has also completed a one-year chief year in Internal Medicine at St. Mary Medical Center in Long Beach, California. Dr. Darwish is available for expert witness consultations to both defense and plaintiff attorneys. He has provided expert review on more than 100 cases that have involved sepsis, unexpected fall in the hospital, unexpected death, stroke, development of sacral decubitus ulcers, cases of medical claims of medical necessity, and many others. He has also worked as a medical consultant in reviewing Veteran Disability Claims. Dr. Darwish has been the acting coordinator of the Morbidity and Mortality Conferences for the Department of Medicine since 2013. Therefore, as p...
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Elizabeth M McKinney

Forensic Speech Pathologist and Expert Witness

Forensic SLP Consulting Services, LLC

Melbourne, Florida
Speech-Language Pathology, Geriatrics - Dysphagia, Choking, Aspiration Pneumonia, Weight Loss, Dehydration, Malnutriiton, Dementia, Stroke/ CVA, TBI, Developmental Disabilities, Cognitive Impairments, Communication Disorders, Parkinson's Disease, SLP, Neurogenic Disorders, Swallowing Disorders
As a forensic speech-language pathologist with 18 years of experience, I specialize in legal consulting and expert witnessing services for both plaintiff and defense medical malpractice and nursing home neglect cases nationwide. My expertise is in cases involving dysphagia, choking, aspiration, weight loss, dehydration, malnutrition, developmental disabilities, dementia, and neurogenic disorders such as stroke, TBI, and Parkinson’s disease. As a graduate of the University of Florida, I received my BA in communication sciences and disorders and gerontology in 2006, and a MA in speech-language pathology in 2008. I hold additional certifications in dysphagia management and Parkinson's Disease and am a Certified Dementia Provider (CDP). With a Certificate of Clinical Competence from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), I am qualified to opine on legal cases nationwide. I’m committed to evidence-based practices and maintaining the standard of care in speech-langua...
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Titilola Britto, MD MAS MBA FACP

Hospital Medicine Standards of Care and Operations

Alpharetta, Georgia
Hospitalist, Medical Management - Acute Care, Consultation errors, GI Bleed, Polypharmacy in Elderly adults, Acute kidney failure, Delay in Diagnosis, Heart Failure, Pulmonary Embolism, Anticoagulation, Diabetes, Hospital acquired Infections, Sepsis, Aspiration Pneumonia, Diagnostic Error, Medication Error, Standard of care, Code Blue, Endocarditis, Pneumonia, Stroke
HOSPITAL MEDICINE CLINICIAN AND LEADER WHO BREAKS DOWN COMPLEX CONCEPTS INTO PLAIN LANGUAGE Dr Titilola Britto is a Hospital Medicine/Hospitalist Expert Witness who is board certified in internal medicine and has extensive clinical, leadership and operations experience in hospital medicine. Dr Britto is known for her ability to break down complex medical concepts into plain language. In addition to her expertise as a clinician, Dr. Britto has a fund of knowledge regarding the operation of Hospitalist practices, how patients transition through departments in hospitals, how gaps occur and areas of concern regarding safety and quality. Dr Britto's leadership roles have included medical director of a hospitalist program, chief of medicine, hospital chief medical officer, as well as health system leader of hospital medicine (16 hospitals) and hospital based specialties (28 hospitals). In these roles, Dr Britto was responsible for clinical excellence, patient safety, reducing variat...
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Teah Abashidze, MD, FACP

Hospitalist Internal Medicine

TABA Medical Expert, LLC

Bethesda , Maryland
Internal Medicine, Hospitalist - anticoagulation, GI Bleed, Sepsis Protocols, Delay in diagnosis, tumor lysis, Diagnostic Delay, Medication reconciliation, Sepsis Bundle Compliance, Standard of Care, Hospital Acquired Infection, acute kidney injury, postoperative complications, aspiration pneumonia, endocarditis, Chemotherapy complications
Board‑certified Internal Medicine physician (ABIM), Fellow of the American College of Physicians (FACP), and experienced hospitalist with over 20 years of practice across Level I trauma and tertiary academic medical center, suburban and community hospitals, and large research institution. Trained at the Cleveland Clinic Health System, where I served as Chief Resident, I currently practice as a hospitalist within the Johns Hopkins Health System and at the NIH Clinical Center / National Cancer Institute (NCI). In this role, my focus is on inpatient internal‑medicine care, supporting the medical management of hospitalized oncology patients undergoing cancer treatment. I provide comprehensive hospitalist oversight by reviewing each case in depth, managing medical comorbidities, anticipating and preventing treatment‑related complications, recognizing clinical deterioration early, and escalating care when appropriate. I coordinate timely involvement of the necessary multidisciplinary t...
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Karen M Sheffler, MS, CCC-SLP, BCS-S

Speech-Language Pathologist / Dysphagia & Choking

SwallowStudy & Associates, LLC; SwallowStudy.com

Boston, Massachusetts
Speech-Language Pathology, Geriatrics - swallowing, swallowing disorders, dysphagia, oral, pharyngeal, esophageal, oropharyngeal dysphagia, vocal cords, vocal folds, larynx, aspiration, aspiration pneumonia, aspiration precautions, safety, stroke, choke, choking, asphyxiation, hypoxia, anoxia
I am a medical Speech-Language Pathologist and a Board Certified Specialist in Swallowing and Swallowing Disorders/Dysphagia (BCS-S). I achieved this BCS-S specialty certification in 2012. I have been a certified, licensed and practicing SLP since 1996, with licensure in Massachusetts from 1998 to current. I have enjoyed working as a dysphagia expert witness in litigation since 2016. I have reviewed over 60 cases, equally covering defendants and plaintiffs. I started SwallowStudy & Associates, LLC in January 2024 and now have an associate who is also a board certified specialist in swallowing and swallowing disorders: George Barnes, MS, CCC-SLP, BCS-S. Please see his listing as well. We both take cases nationally. I have worked with the adult and geriatric populations, specializing in dysphagia evaluation and management in long-term care, rehabilitation centers, and acute care with inpatients and outpatients. I have also been invited to nursing conferences to speak for nursing and ...
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Jeffrey Alan Balke, MD

Academic hospitalist with decades of experience.

University of Minnesota Department of Medicine, Division of Hospital Medicine

Minneapolis, Minnesota
Hospitalist, Internal Medicine - anticoagulation, respiratory failure, acute kidney injury, postoperative complications, aspiration pneumonia, missed diagnosis, delay in diagnosis, bleeding while on anticoagulation, nursing home neglect & abuse, compartment syndrome, TTP / MAHA, Hypercoagulability PE, Meningitis / CNS infections, Missed endocarditis
Professional Background and Expert Witness Services Dr. Jeff Balke, MD I am board certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine and practice full time as a teaching physician and staff hospitalist at the University of Minnesota Medical Center and have an academic appointment at the University of Minnesota Medical School. My curriculum vitae is available upon request and provides information regarding my education, training and experience. I trained at the University of Minnesota (1989-1993), where I served as Chief Resident. My career spans 32 years since completion of my residency training in Internal Medicine including an appointed Chief Residency. I have had full and unrestricted admitting and attending privileges and employment in small community critical access and regional medical centers in addition to large tertiary and teaching hospitals. I have worked in many different hospitals and systems and skilled nursing facilities of all types since I began my career as...
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Christopher W Bader, DO

Point Pleasant, New Jersey
Hospitalist, Family Medicine - Sepsis, Shock, Myocardial Infarction (Heart Attack), Cerebrovascular Accident (Stroke), Pressure Ulcers (Bedsores), Medication Errors, Adverse Reactions, Aspiration Pneumonia, Electrolyte Abnormalities, Intracranial Bleeds, Hypoglycemia, GI Bleed, CPR, Osteopathic Manipulation
Dr. Bader has been Board Certified in Family Medicine and Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine (OMM) since 2009. His scope of practice has been focused on inpatient hospital (hospitalist) medicine since 2011. In addition to his work as a hospitalist he is also core faculty and director of inpatient medicine for the Family Medicine residency program at Ocean University Medical Center and teaches residents and medical students. Dr. Bader is also director of osteopathic education for the residency program and teaches residents and students osteopathic principles and practices, including osteopathic manipulation. Dr. Bader holds academic appointments at two medical schools. His areas of expertise include: -Medical management of acute care hospitalizations in adults -Diagnosis and treatment of medical conditions in adults requiring hospital-level care -Diagnosis and treatment of medical conditions with osteopathic manipulative medicine (OMM) in an inpatient or outp...
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Christopher W Bader, DO

New York
Hospitalist, Family Medicine - Sepsis, Shock, Myocardial Infarction (Heart Attack), Cerebrovascular Accident (Stroke), Pressure Ulcers (Bedsores), Medication Errors, Adverse Reactions, Aspiration Pneumonia, Electrolyte Abnormalities, Intracranial Bleeds, Hypoglycemia, GI Bleed, CPR, Osteopathic Manipulation
Dr. Bader has been Board Certified in Family Medicine and Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine (OMM) since 2009. His scope of practice has been focused on inpatient hospital (hospitalist) medicine since 2011. In addition to his work as a hospitalist he is also core faculty and director of inpatient medicine for the Family Medicine residency program at Ocean University Medical Center and teaches residents and medical students. Dr. Bader is also director of osteopathic education for the residency program and teaches residents and students osteopathic principles and practices, including osteopathic manipulation. Dr. Bader holds academic appointments at two medical schools. His areas of expertise include: -Medical management of acute care hospitalizations in adults -Diagnosis and treatment of medical conditions in adults requiring hospital-level care -Diagnosis and treatment of medical conditions with osteopathic manipulative medicine (OMM) in an inpatient or outp...
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C. Gerard Petersen, M.D.

Petersen Expert Services PLLC

Allentown, Pennsylvania
Pulmonary Critical Care Medicine, Sleep Medicine - Pulmonary Disease, Critical Care Medicine, Sleep Medicine, Lung Cancer, Pulmonary Nodules, Lung Mass, Pulmonary Embolism, COPD, Asthma, Reactive Airways Disease, Asbestos, Mold, Pneumonia, Obstructive Sleep Apnea, CPAP, Narcolepsy, CDL, Motor Vehicle Accident, Aspiration Pneumonia, Occupational Lung
Board Certified: Pulmonary Disease - ABIM, Sleep Medicine - ABSM, Critical Care Medicine - ABIM, Internal Medicine - ABIM Dr. Petersen has been in clinical practice for more than 22+ years as a board-certified physician in the areas of Pulmonary, Sleep and Critical Care Medicine. He has been a member of his hospital network's peer review committee for 20+ years. He has provided medical-legal consultation on 75+ cases & 11+ depositions/testimony involving topics of lung cancer, asthma, reactive airways disease, obstructive sleep apnea, CDL, sepsis, pneumonia, aspiration pneumonia, mechanical ventilation and intensive care unit (ICU) management.
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Christopher W Bader, DO

Pennsylvania
Hospitalist, Family Medicine - Sepsis, Shock, Myocardial Infarction (Heart Attack), Cerebrovascular Accident (Stroke), Pressure Ulcers (Bedsores), Medication Errors, Adverse Reactions, Aspiration Pneumonia, Electrolyte Abnormalities, Intracranial Bleeds, Hypoglycemia, GI Bleed, CPR, Osteopathic Manipulation
Dr. Bader has been Board Certified in Family Medicine and Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine (OMM) since 2009. His scope of practice has been focused on inpatient hospital (hospitalist) medicine since 2011. In addition to his work as a hospitalist he is also core faculty and director of inpatient medicine for the Family Medicine residency program at Ocean University Medical Center and teaches residents and medical students. Dr. Bader is also director of osteopathic education for the residency program and teaches residents and students osteopathic principles and practices, including osteopathic manipulation. Dr. Bader holds academic appointments at two medical schools. His areas of expertise include: -Medical management of acute care hospitalizations in adults -Diagnosis and treatment of medical conditions in adults requiring hospital-level care -Diagnosis and treatment of medical conditions with osteopathic manipulative medicine (OMM) in an inpatient or outp...
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CASEY LEWIS, MS, CCC-SLP, BCS-S, CNT, CLC, NTMTC

THE ONLY BOARD-CERTIFIED SWALLOW STUDY COMPANY TX

TEXSCOPE LLC

KAUFMAN, Texas
Speech-Language Pathology - SWALLOWING, SWALLOWING DISORDERS, INFANT, NICU, ICU, ASPIRATION, VOCAL FOLDS, SWALLOW STUDY, FEES, HYPOXIA, ANOXIA, CHOKE, STROKE, INTUBATION, DYSPHAGIA, ASPIRATION PNEUMONIA, ASPHYIXATION, MOTHER/BABY, BREASTFEEDING, BOTTLE FEEDING
Casey Lewis is a medical Speech-Language Pathologist, Board Certified Specialist- Swallowing & Swallowing Disorders, Certified Neonatal Therapist, Certified Lactation Counselor, & Endoscopist. She owns and operates TexScope LLC, a Texas based mobile swallowing diagnostic company that specializes in Flexible Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing. TexScope partners with critical access hospitals, acute care hospitals, inpatient rehabilitation facilities, skilled nursing facilities and private practices, serving as their swallowing diagnostic expert. She is a respected expert in the field of Speech-Language Pathology and specializes in swallowing disorders across the lifespan. She is an active expert witness and is a sought-out speaker and educator both in the US and across the world. She is the creator of NICU Oral Feeding Algorithm, which aids medical teams in clinically navigating oral feeding decision-making within the NICU space. Casey has been an invited speaker at 14 universitie...
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Kristine Carlson

Speech-Language Pathologist -- ADULT SWALLOWING

Charlottesville, Virginia
Speech-Language Pathology - dysphagia, aphasia, cognitive-linguistic deficits, swallowing, swallowing disorders, stroke, aspiration, aspiration pneumonia, choking, swallow strategies, aspiration precautions, tracheostomy, brain injury, TBI, asphyxia, hospice
Kristine Carlson is an ASHA-certified and Virginia-licensed medical Speech-Language Pathologist currently working in the acute care setting at University of Virginia with over 20 years of experience. Over the course of her career, she has also worked in the skilled nursing, sub-acute, long-term acute care, acute rehab, and outpatient settings with adults 18+ with primary focus on dysphagia, aphasia, cognitive-linguistic disorders, and dysarthria. As an acute care speech-language pathologist in an academic medical center, Kristine conducts comprehensive swallowing evaluations on medically complex patients patients to determine the safety of PO intake while minimizing aspiration risk. She possesses strong clinical decision-making skills with critically ill patients with a myriad of diagnoses including but not limited to lung/heat/lung transplant, stroke, TBI, acute respiratory failure. Her expertise also extends to patients with speech, language, or cognitive deficits. She has wo...
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Elizabeth P Turner

Speech-Language Pathologist- Swallowing Expert

UVA Medical Center

Charlottesville, Virginia
Speech-Language Pathology, Geriatrics - swallowing, dysphagia, choking, feeding, traumatic brain injury, geriatrics, aspiration, tracheostomy, aspiration pneumonia, hospice, stroke, aphasia, intubation, communication, airway, nursing home, rehabilitation, communication, asphyxiation, larynx
Elizabeth Turner is a highly respected and experienced Speech-Language Pathologist with over 16 years of clinical expertise in acute care, critical care, and instrumental swallowing assessment. Currently serving as a Level IV Clinician at the University of Virginia Medical Center, one of the nation's top academic hospitals, Ms. Turner brings unmatched depth in the evaluation and management of complex swallowing, communication, and cognitive-linguistic disorders. Her clinical focus includes extensive work with critically ill populations, including tracheostomized and ventilator-dependent patients, post-extubation dysphagia, head and neck cancer, neurogenic swallowing disorders, and patients recovering from lung transplant and COVID-19-related respiratory failure. Ms. Turner is certified in both MBSImP and FEES, and has completed thousands of instrumental swallow evaluations throughout her career. She also has expertise in aphasia, cognitive-lingusitic deficits, stroke, and brain inj...