This case involves a couple who separated as a result of the 68-year-old husband’s alcoholism. Several months after the couple separated, the man was hospitalized and diagnosed with wet brain, exhibiting signs of short and long-term memory loss. The couple eventually divorced and man was moved to an assisted living facility. It was alleged that he spent all the money he received in the divorce settlement as a result of his living situation. A physician with expertise in geriatric psychology was sought to perform an independent medical examination of the man to assess his mental state and determine the appropriate care.
Question(s) For Expert Witness
1. How often do you examine patients that have medical issues resulting from long-term alcohol abuse?
2. How would you make a determination on the status of this patient?
Expert Witness Response E-317419
I examine adults with medical (including psychiatric, cognitive, and behavioral) issues resulting from longstanding alcohol abuse on a daily and definitely weekly basis. My clinical practice is in several different settings- hospital, home, outpatient clinic, and nursing facility, and this is a very common issue that I encounter with my patients. I would be comfortable commenting on the patient's prospective vocational abilities, independence, and overall best care placement options. I would first obtain as much history as I could by extensively reviewing medical history. I would perform a comprehensive psychiatric and cognitive examination of the patient, including the administration of validated, standardized tests to measure retained and impaired cognitive abilities. I would obtain collateral data from relevant sources. I would use this collected information along with my extensive experience in caring for patients with these symptoms to make a comprehensive assessment and recommendations which encompass medical, psychiatric, psychosocial, housing, and other logistical factors.
About the author
Wendy Ketner, M.D.
Dr. Wendy Ketner is a distinguished medical professional with a comprehensive background in surgery and medical research. Currently serving as the Senior Vice President of Medical Affairs at the Expert Institute, she plays a pivotal role in overseeing the organization's most important client relationships. Dr. Ketner's extensive surgical training was completed at Mount Sinai Beth Israel, where she gained hands-on experience in various general surgery procedures, including hernia repairs, cholecystectomies, appendectomies, mastectomies for breast cancer, breast reconstruction, surgical oncology, vascular surgery, and colorectal surgery. She also provided care in the surgical intensive care unit.
Her research interests have focused on post-mastectomy reconstruction and the surgical treatment of gastric cancer, including co-authoring a textbook chapter on the subject. Additionally, she has contributed to research on the percutaneous delivery of stem cells following myocardial infarction.
Dr. Ketner's educational background includes a Bachelor's degree from Yale University in Latin American Studies and a Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) from SUNY Downstate College of Medicine. Moreover, she is a member of the Board of Advisors for Opollo Technologies, a fintech healthcare AI company, contributing her medical expertise to enhance healthcare technology solutions. Her role at Expert Institute involves leveraging her medical knowledge to provide insights into legal cases, underscoring her unique blend of medical and legal acumen.
