This case involves a 66-year-old woman who was pulled over on suspicion of DUI. At the time she was pulled over, she was driving 23 miles over the speed limit and was swerving in and out of the left lane. The woman had a history of back ailments and had previously undergone surgery. She was on a prescription mix which included Diazepam, Zolpidem, Telmisartan, Nebivolol, Carvedilol, and Quetiapine. A toxicology expert was sought to review the report and video of the woman undergoing her field sobriety test and to determine whether or not she committed a DUI offense.
Question(s) For Expert Witness
1. Please describe your background in toxicology.
2. Could the plaintiff's prescriptions have impacted the toxicology report?
Expert Witness Response E-059178
I hold a Ph.D. in neuropharmacology, which is the field dealing with the effects of drugs on brain and behavior. Intrinsic within this field is the understanding of the tissue levels of drugs and the ways they are measured, which is toxicology, the expertise of drug level quantification. Pharmacologists have training in toxicology, but their purview extends beyond drug levels to drug effects. If properly performed, the toxicology report should have quantitated the drugs present. However, the effects of these drugs would depend on the chronicity of use, tolerance development, underlying neuropsychological status and other factors not revealed by the toxicology report itself. Such an assessment would require a review of the patient's medical records as well as a pharmacy dispensing record.
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.
