DRI Faculty List

2021 Medical Liability and Health Care Law Seminar

Caesars Palace | Las Vegas | July 29 - 30, 2021


Anu Chudasama
Bassford Remele PA

Anu Chudasama is an attorney with the Minneapolis law firm of Bassford Remele, P.A. Anu focuses her practice in medical and legal malpractice, personal injury, insurance coverage, and products liability. She is Chair of the Minnesota State Bar Association's Professional Regulation Committee, a Minnesota No-Fault Standing Committee member, immediate Past-President of the State Bar of Wisconsin's Nonresident Lawyers Division, and is on the State Board of Wisconsin's Board of Governors as a Governor and Chair of its Governance Committee. She is also a No-Fault arbitrator.


James O. (Jim) Craven
Wiggin and Dana LLP

James O. (Jim) Craven is a litigator in Wiggin and Dana LLP's New Haven, Connecticut, office. He is a vice president of the Connecticut Defense Lawyers Association, an officer on the New Haven County Bar Foundation and a long-time member of the House of Delegates of the Connecticut Bar Association.


Robert Cykiert, MD
New York University

Robert Cykiert, MD is a Board Certified Ophthalmologist and a Clinical Associate Professor of Ophthalmology at the NYU School of Medicine in New York City. Dr. Cykiert practices general ophthalmology and is also a fellowship-trained cornea specialist. He has performed thousands of cataract surgeries, corneal transplants and LASIK laser vision correction operations since starting his practice in 1981.


Andrew DeSimone
Sturgill Turner Barker & Moloney PLLC

Andrew DeSimone is a civil litigator at the office of Sturgill, Turner, Barker & Moloney, PLLC, in Lexington, Kentucky. Andrew defends health care professionals from malpractice lawsuits throughout the State of Kentucky. He is AV-rated from Martindale-Hubbell®, as well as Best Lawyers and Super Lawyers. He has garnered numerous trial and appellate victories in medical malpractice, insurance defense and governmental law. Andrew is the Program Chair for the 2021 DRI Medical Liability and Health Care Law Seminar. Andrew is on the DRI Medical Liability and Litigation Skills Committees.


Carol A. Dillon
Managing Partner
Bleeke Dillon Crandall

Carol A. Dillon is a shareholder with Bleeke Dillon Crandall in Indianapolis. Carol's practice is focused on defending healthcare providers in medical malpractice cases, particularly in the correctional healthcare environment. She has been a presenter at the National Commission on Correctional Healthcare meetings. She has appeared multiple times before the U.S. Court of Appeals, 7th Circuit and before the Indiana Court of Appeals. She has tried multiple cases to jury verdict in both federal and state court.


Laura D. Eschleman
Partner
Nall & Miller LLP

Laura D. Eschleman is a partner at Nall & Miller LLP in Atlanta, Georgia. She is licensed in Georgia, Alabama and Missouri and has defended health care professionals and enters in medical malpractice cases, direct corporate liability claims, product liability cases and board licensing maters in 28 different states. Laura has tried several medical malpractice cases to successful jury verdict in multiple states. In addition, Laura represents healthcare providers in Medicare, Medicaid and private health insurance company audits. Laura is AV Rated by Martindale-Hubbell® and has been recognized as a Georgia Super Lawyers Rising Star from 2012 through 2020 in medical malpractice defense. Laura was the Program Chair for the 2017 DRI Medical Liability & Health Care Law Committee's seminar and was recognized with the Albert H. Parnell Outstanding Program Chair Award in 2017. Laura has been additionally been recognized as a Top Rated Litigator by Martindale-Hubbell® & ALM, an Elite Lawyer of the South by Martindale-Hubbell® & ALM, a Woman Leader in the Law by ALM, and as one of America's Top 100 Civil Defense Litigators® and America's Top 100 High Stakes Litigators®. Laura is the Vice Chair of the Medical Liability and Health Care Law Committee.


John F. Floyd, Sr.
Partner
Wicker Smith

John F. Floyd, Sr. has been a trial lawyer since 1990, trying over 100 jury trials (business/professional negligence) to verdict. In addition, he has tried numerous cases before state regulatory boards and judges throughout Tennessee. He is board certified as a Civil Trial Specialist by the National Board of Trial Advocacy and a Medical Malpractice Specialist by the American Board of Professional Liability Attorneys. As National Counsel for a large insurance carrier, John assists local counsel trying complex medical malpractice cases throughout the United States.


John E. Hall, Jr.
Hall Booth Smith PC

John E. Hall, Jr. is one of the founding partners of Hall Booth Smith, PC. He specializes in the defense of high exposure cases, involving hospitals and medical malpractice claims. He manages and handles high exposure cases in over 20 states as National Counsel for several insurers, companies and hospitals. He has extensive litigation experience, having tried in excess of 125 civil cases. Mr. Hall is licensed in Georgia, Tennessee, Alabama, North Carolina and New Jersey.


Linda Harrison, PhD
Ophthalmic Mutual Insurance Company

Linda Harrison, PhD is the Director of Risk Management at OMIC. Dr. Harrison has lectured nationally on topics in health care risk management, litigation stress syndrome, physician burnout, and negotiation strategies. Dr. Harrison also leads efforts to improve organizational effectiveness through process analysis, re-engineering and implementation, team building, and coaching. Dr. Harrison received her AB from Smith College, her master's in Psychology and Human Development from Harvard, and PhD in Organizational Psychology from the California School of Professional Psychology.


Judge Joe Hilberman
Judge

Judge Joe Hilberman served on the Los Angeles Superior Court from 2002 through 2009 following a 27-year career in civil litigation. Judge Hilberman is currently a full time mediator, arbitrator and discovery referee with ADR Services, Inc., throughout California and beyond. Judge Hilberman was recognized by the Los Angeles Chapter of the American Board of Trial Advocates as "Jurist of the Year" in 2008 and by the Los Angeles Daily Journal as one of the "50 Best Neutrals" in California. Additionally, his articles are widely published and he is also a frequent lecturer on topics of mediation and arbitration. Judge Hilberman serves on the board of directors of the Los Angeles Chapter of ABOTA and is a representative to its National Board.


Dr. Stephen Jones
Urgent Care Eleven

Dr. Stephen Jones is an accomplished community physician that has served the Greater New Orleans area since 2008. In addition to establishing a trusting relationship with his community, he also has forged strong ties with the neighborhood schools to assist in providing mandated screenings and creation of support structures for best practices in school nursing. Realizing the need for comprehensive primary care and wellness options in the school setting, Dr. Jones and his team partnered with Collegiate Academies to open their first school health clinic, where he learned that not only does an in-house clinic assist in eliminating barriers to education, but also supports students, faculty, and staff in achieving their health goals and improving overall quality of life. Dr. Jones has grown his clinic network to provide much-needed services to underserved areas battling accessibility to healthcare with a primary focus on community. At the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Jones shifted the focus of his clinics to deliver state-of-the-art COVID-19 testing. As the pandemic evolved, he developed a Clinical Support Team to provide off-site testing services for local schools and organizations to fill the void in COVID-19 testing and vaccinations. Dr. Stephen Jones has a proven track record of recognizing the community's needs and providing impactful solutions. He firmly believes an emphasis on preventative, comprehensive medical care, combined with educational initiatives, will elevate and empower the communities to live a stronger and healthier life.


Mandi J. Karvis
Partner
Wicker Smith

Mandi J. Karvis a partner in the Wicker Smith Phoenix office, is an experienced trial attorney, with jury trial experience in state and federal courts. Her practice primarily focuses on handling medical malpractice cases. Ms. Karvis defends premises liability, products liability, and general personal injury matters that involve catastrophic and/or complex injuries. Ms. Karvis assists clients in pre-litigation evaluation of claims to allow clients to identify claims that should be resolved prior to the initiation of litigation.


Dr. Staci McHale
New Beginnings Ob-Gyn

Dr. Staci McHale is a private solo practice OB/GYN in Las Vegas, Nevada. She received her Bachelors of Science degree from Texas Lutheran University and her Doctorate of Medicine from Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center. Dr. McHale completed her residency training at the Reading Hospital Labor & Delivery in 2008. She moved to Las Vegas after completing residency, and started her own practice in 2013. Dr. McHale has been a career-long participant in organized medicine, and currently serves as the President of the Clark County Medical Society.


Lindsay Anderson Miller, MPAS, PA-C,
Trident Emergency Physicians

Lindsay Anderson Miller, MPAS, PA-C, is a board-certified Physician Assistant specializing in emergency medicine with over 12 years experience. She currently practices at Trident Medical Center ER, a Level II Trauma Center, in Charleston, SC. Since 2015, she has served as a peer supporter for medical providers involved in malpractice litigation through Mag Mutual's Doctor 2 Doctor program and was a guest speaker at their D2D training seminar in 2017. In addition, her experience has provided several opportunities to review malpractice cases for attorneys and serve as an expert witness for PA malpractice litigation.


Aubrey Milunsky, MD
Tufts University, Center For Human Genetics

Aubrey Milunsky, MD is the founder of the non-profit Center for Human Genetics, now in its 35th year. He is a Co-Director with his son and is an adjunct Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Tufts University School of Medicine. He was Professor of Human Genetics, Pediatrics, Obstetrics and Gynecology, and Pathology at Boston University School of Medicine. Boston University named the AUBREY MILUNSKY CHAIR IN HUMAN GENETICS. He has given hundreds of invited lectures in 35 countries and the Vatican.


Nicole Palichat
Claims Specialist
ProAssurance

Nicole Palichat has been in the insurance defense industry for more than 20 years. Since 2015, Nicole has worked as a Senior Claims Specialist with ProAssurance in the Las Vegas, Nevada office defending healthcare providers. ProAssurance is an industry-leading specialty insurer with extensive expertise in healthcare professional liability.


Stephen O. (Steve) Plunkett
Shareholder
Bassford Remele PA

Stephen O. (Steve) Plunkett is a shareholder with Bassford Remele PA in Minneapolis, represents nursing home and assisted living facilities in the Midwest. He has chaired national seminars dealing with long term care litigation issues. Mr. Plunkett is a member of DRI's Law Institute and the past chair of DRI's Medical Liability and Health Care Law Committee. He is admitted to practice in Minnesota and Wisconsin. Mr. Plunkett has been recognized by his peers as a "Top 100 Lawyer" and "Super Lawyer" in Minnesota Law & Politics. Steve is the Immediate Past Chair of the DRI Law Institute.


Karen Salmon, Esq. AIC, AIS,
Vice President
Western Litigation

Karen Salmon, Esq. AIC, AIS, is VP at GB Healthcare, currently working as the client liaison between GB Healthcare and one of their most prestigious healthcare client partners. Working directly with C-suite level program executives, she provides direct oversight of large exposure complex professional and general liability claims, and directs the strategy of the program; from evaluation, retention and direction of counsel, as well as case strategy and finances. Karen is key in ensuring that their program is at the forefront of industry standards. Karen is an Ironman athlete, ultra marathoner, and yoga practitioner, further marrying discipline with her mindset to aid client partners in achieving their program goals. By engaging in these activities, she has the space to think strategically, and align this with her client service model. Karen is a graduate of Indiana University where she was a member of the Phoenix Program serving as an academic peer instructor. She is a graduate of the New England School of Law and founder of the American Health Lawyers Association – NESL and Phi Alpha Delta. A member of the South Carolina Bar, Karen holds insurance adjuster licenses in multiple jurisdictions, and has earned the Associate in Claims (AIC), Associate in Insurance Services (AIS). She previously served as the Regional Claims Manager, NC for MAG Mutual Insurance Company before assuming the role of Vice President of Claims there.


Jodi V. Terranova
Partner
Wilson Elser Moskowitz Edelman & Dicker LLP

Jodi V. Terranova is a partner at Wilson Elser Moskovitz Edelman & Dicker LLP in Washington, D.C. Co-chair of the firm's Medical Malpractice & Health Care Practice, Jodi maintains a robust legal practice concentrated on litigating medical malpractice cases on behalf of physicians, hospitals, managed care organizations, ambulatory surgery centers, urgent care centers, nursing homes, and long-term care facilities. She also represents allied health care professionals, including psychologists, nurse midwives, physicians' assistants, nurse practitioners, and medical assistants. Jodi is recognized for her capable defense of complex medical malpractice cases in the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia. She currently serves as a national director on the DRI Board of Directors and as the chair of the Membership Committee.


Albert Barclay Wong
Partner
Drewry Simmons Vornehm LLP

Albert Barclay Wong an AV-rated Partner at Drewry Simmons Vornehm, LLP in Carmel, Indiana, represents health care providers. His practice focuses on defending physicians, hospitals, and nursing facilities in negligence claims. He also represents all licensed health care providers, including physicians, nurses, and dentists in professional licensure matters before all of Indiana's health related boards and committees. Prior to entering private practice, Mr. Wong was an Indiana deputy attorney general where he successfully litigated hundreds of administrative actions. Mr. Wong is the Chair of the DRI Medical Liability and Healthcare Law Committee.


Kimberly Logue Woodland
Partner
Bendin Sumrall & Ladner LLC

Kimberly Logue Woodland is a partner in Bendin, Sumrall & Ladner, LLC in Atlanta, Georgia. She received her undergraduate and law degrees from the University of Georgia. She has devoted her career to defending complex civil litigation, including medical malpractice and product liability cases. Ms. Woodland focuses her medical practice on the defense of hospitals and their employees and has tried numerous medical malpractice cases in a wide variety of jurisdictions in Georgia.


Meghan H. Yanacek
Partner
Hall Booth Smith PC

Meghan H. Yanacek throughout her career has successfully represented providers at trial and on appeal in complex medical negligence and premise liability matters. In addition to courtroom litigation, Ms. Yanacek has also defended health care providers in disciplinary actions brought by licensing agencies. Given her health policy background, Ms. Yanacek also advises clients on healthcare-related regulatory and policy issues. Ms. Yanacek has worked both in private practice and in a claims management setting. Her legal experience includes serving as Associate Counsel for a large hospital system where she managed complex healthcare claims and litigation in the District of Columbia and Maryland.