Institutional Care Expert Witnesses

Psychology, Forensic Psychology - IME, Correctional Treatment, Standard of Care, Institutional Care, Competency, SVP Risk Assessment, Recidivism Assessment, Fitness for Duty, Disability, Traumatic Brain Injury, Impairment Rating, Suicide Risk Assessment and Prevention, Cognitive Testing, Adult and Juvenile Evaluations

Dr. Brooks is a licensed clinical and forensic psychologist who specializes in developmental psychology, psychological assessment, and therapy in both forensic and non-forensic environments. Dr. Brooks holds a Doctorate degree in Applied Clinical Psychology from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology, and an MS degree in Clinical Psychology from Pepperdine University. She has conducted research in the area of assessing risk for violence in individuals. Dr. Brooks has extensive experience in forensic psychology and assessment, crisis intervention, and substance use treatment.

Psychiatry - Standard of Care, Traumatic Injury, PTSD, Sexual Offender Risk Assessment, Testamentary Capacity, Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress, Mental Impairment, Disability, Adjustment Disorder, Depression, Psychosis, Personality Disorders, Anxiety, Inpatient Care, Institutional Care, Suicide Risk

Dr. Christopher Heckman is currently a member of the Clinical Operations Advisory Council (COAC) for the California Department of State Hospitals. The Clinical Operations Division facilitates the development, evaluation, and maintenance of clinical standards for California’s Department of State Hospitals (DSH). At the heart of the DSH Clinical Operations Division is the Clinical Operations Advisory Council (COAC), an interdisciplinary team of clinicians from the state hospitals who are devoted to the quality of clinical care and therapeutic services that the DSH provides. Dr. Heckman represents the Department of Psychiatry on the COAC. COAC works closely with clinical leaders to identify best practices within DSH facilities, as well as facilities outside of California and in the current academic literature. While conducting onsite reviews of clinical services, COAC gathers data to design data collection methodologies. These methodologies are used to better understand our patients, i...

Family Medicine, Long Term Care - Women's Health, Cardiovascular, Osteoporosis, Depression, Dementia, Hospital Inpatient, Nursing Home, Geriatrics, Migraine, PA and NP Supervision, Institutional Care, Anxiety, Institutional Care, Cardiopulmonary, Diabetes, Emphysema, Fibromyalgia, Headaces, High Blood Pressure, Memory Impairment

Dr Carol Rupe has provided expert witness services to the legal community since 2005, and has reviewed more than 700 cases. She provides her highly responsive, and effective professional services to both plaintiff and defense attorneys located in more than 30 US states. Dr. Rupe brings a unique understanding of the dynamics & interactions between clinical, hospital, ER, and LTC medicine and its impact on the delivery of quality medical care to patients. From major metro areas, mid size cities & suburbs, institutional care, to rural health, Dr. Rupe has done it all. Education: Undergraduate: University of Notre Dame, South Bend, Indiana Graduate: Georgetown University School of Medicine, Washington DC Residency: Malcolm Grow Medical Center, Andrews Air Force Base, Maryland Fellowship: University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina Family Practice Development Certification: American Academy of Family Physicians since 1987 Professional Medical Experience: - C...

Psychiatry - Traumatic Injury, PTSD, Institutional Care, Standard of Care, IIED, ECT, Inpatient Care, Mental Impairment, Disability, Suicide Risk, Fitness for Duty, Adjustment Disorders, Anxiety, Depression, Athletic Performance Enhancement, NP Supervision, Telehealth, Somatic Disorders

MaryEllen Eller, MD is a board-certified psychiatrist through the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology. She is also certified as a master psychopharmacologist by the Neuroscience Education Institute. Dr. Eller completed her undergraduate studies at Andrews University in Berrien Springs, Michigan, where she received a Bachelor of Science in biology. She earned her medical degree from Loma Linda University School of Medicine. She completed her residency training at the Loma Linda University Department of Psychiatry, where she focused on general adult psychiatry, with a special emphasis in leadership and performance optimization. Dr. Eller served in a variety of capacities at Loma Linda University in Loma Linda, California. She was a resident physician in the university’s department of psychiatry for three years, followed by a year as the department’s chief resident. She also served as a per diem psychiatrist in the inpatient chemical dependency unit at the university’s Behavio...