Specialties & Experience of this Expert Witness

Additional Information

I am a Certified Anesthesiologist Assistant and hold a Master of Medical Science Degree in Anesthesiology and Life Support Systems from Emory University. I am certified by the National Commission for Certification of Anesthesiologist Assistants (NCCAA) and have more than 40 years of private practice experience. During that time, I have provided anesthesia care to more than 40,000 patients and am still engaged in full-time clinical practice. I have extensive experience in most surgical sub-specialties except open heart and transplant. This includes orthopedics, ENT, urology, GYN and GYN oncology, OB including high risk and obstetric hemorrhage, thoracic, neuro, colorectal, spine, general surgery, vascular, plastic surgery, oral and maxillofacial surgery, GI and pulmonary endoscopy, radiologic and non-surgical cardiology, and robotic procedures in several specialties. My practice is the busiest OB anesthesia practice in the US with over 25,000 deliveries per year. I am Chief Administrative Anesthetist for one of the largest anesthesia practices in the Southeast, with more than 175 anesthetists and 80 anesthesiologists. Besides being a past Director of the AAAA, I am the immediate Past Chair of the Accreditation Review Committee for Anesthesiologist Assistants and Past Commissioner for the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). I am a former ACLS instructor and have given numerous presentations on difficult airway management. I am also certified in autotransfusion services. I serve as a clinical preceptor for several AA educational programs. I have been involved with the drafting of CAA legislation as well as practice and hospital policy statements. Through my active participation and membership with various state and national anesthesia organizations, I am very familiar with the licensing, regulatory, educational, and certification requirements for Certified Anesthesiologist Assistants, as well as state and federal requirements under CMS regarding TEFRA regulations for medical direction and medical supervision. I am a firm proponent of the physician anesthesiologist-led Anesthesia Care Team mode of practice. I use my 40+ years of clinical as well as administrative anesthesia experience to provide a real-world perspective in my expert witness practice. Besides offering a strictly clinical opinion, I can discuss the logistical and management side of the practice of anesthesiology including Anesthesia Care Teams (ACT), TEFRA and medical direction issues, scope of practice issues, and the use/limitations/transitions involving Electronic Medical Records (EMR). I am available for case review as well as deposition and trial testimony. I offer unbiased opinions based solely on the merits and evidence of the case, whether for the defense or plaintiff. Only a CAA can give you opinions and testimony as an expert witness in cases involving a CAA. While similarities exist, it is a distinct profession and differs from both CRNA and physician anesthesiologist practice.