In 1979, I embarked on a career in medicine and went on to become a cancer surgeon. I lived in both academia and the private, community hospital sector. It was wondrous, exhilarating, meaningful and exhausting. I accumulated an enormous volume of knowledge about the human body and the surgical treatment of disease. I taught surgical residents and students training to be doctors, physician assistants and nurses. I published multiple research articles.

Much of my education has come from “on the job training”. I learned a lot from mentors, colleagues and patients, to whom I owe a huge debt of gratitude.

Now, a retired surgeon, I am able to reflect back on a career filled with success, joy and personal fulfillment.

Unfortunately, not every outcome turned out to be as expected or desired. Of the untoward events, and their effects on patients and families, I had little training. Over a career conducting tens of thousands of surgeries, I was named as a defendant in a malpractice lawsuit 6 times. Four were dropped, two went on to trial.

I “won” both, which is to say, a jury found me non-negligent.

But the experience left me with scars. And wisdom.

It is now my hope to share my experience and skills with other health care providers who wish to learn more about the strange, troubling world of being a defendant in a medical malpractice action. Perhaps you are being sued. Or have a close relative who is undergoing this traumatic process. Or you are a provider, at any stage of training, and want to learn about a dark side of the practice of medicine..

To share my experience, I have written a book, Just Business- A Medical Malpractice Odyssey, that details this journey from the everyday practice of medicine and surgery to sitting in a courtroom, attacked by plaintiff attorneys..

I have extensive experience as a medicolegal expert, having reviewed multiple cases, primarily involving general and oncologic surgery. During the course of this 30 year avocation, I have given a number of depositions and courtroom testimonies. I am available for this service, at the request of defense attorneys.

I have also provided individual counseling for physician and nursing defendants as well as other involved parties experiencing the stress of malpractice litigation.