Publications

• Buprenorphine as an alternative to orthopedic spine surgery in opioid dependent chronic pain patients

Specialties & Experience

General Specialties: Pain Management - Medicine and Addiction Medicine

Specialty Focus: Buprenorphine, Opioid dependence, Addiction, Overdose, Pain, Withdrawal, Medical Board, DFA, Trauma, Intractable, Suffering, Chemical Dependency

Education: BA in PSYCHOLOGY, STANFORD UNIVERSITY; MD, UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine; RESIDENCY COMPLETION, HARBOR/UCLA/SPPH FAMILY MEDICINE RESIDENCY

Years in Practice: 36

Number of Times Deposed/Testified in Last 4 Yrs: 12

Additional Information

As a Certified Diplomate in Pain Medicine, Addiction Medicine, and Family Medicine, I have been a consultant to the DEA, the California Medical Board, the Department of Justice, the FBI, and the Los Angeles County District Attorney, as well as for private attorneys providing expertise to both plaintiffs and defendants. I have expertise in writing formal clinical analysis / reports regarding patient medical care and utilization, experience testifying at depositions and in the courtroom at trial. Having reviewed hundreds of cases involving drug overdoses, general medical care, and inappropriate physician prescribing of opioid medications. I have provided testimony on behalf of plaintiffs and testimony in defense of physicians accused by their patients or state medical boards wrongly. As a Utilization Review expert I am able to determine appropriateness of care by Pain, Addiction, and primary care providers. If clinical guidelines are not adhered to, the procedure may not be justified. I can read through a chart and point out specific clinical issues in many areas of medicine. I have 36 years of expertise in inpatient and outpatient care, surgical assisting, utilization review, and every aspect of modern medicine. I see all sides of clinical issues and direct my focus and expertise on the medical/legal issues of concern. Graduate of UCLA medical school and Stanford Univ. Many Americans undergo surgeries such as total joint replacements, cervical and lumbar spine fusions, arthroscopy, epidural injections, sinus surgery, spinal stimulator implantation, and many other risky procedures without having followed guidelines or proper treatment first. Often Surgeons operate based on “ an abnormality on MRI" but if neurologic and clinical findings do not match the level of specific nerve impingement, pursuing surgery could be a mistake. 50% of all orthopedic surgeries may be unnecessary. A thorough review can mean the difference between moving forward or rejection