Dr. Herschel Lessin has been a full-time practicing Pediatrician since 1982 and has served as an expert witness in Pediatric malpractice litigation since 1987, working for both plaintiff and defense. Trained at Stanford and Yale, Dr. Lessin has experience in case review as well as both deposition and trial testimony. He a founding member and vice president of one of the largest Pediatric practices in the United States, The Children's Medical Group, PLLC. His daily practice includes children from birth through college age providing both outpatient and hospital care. Dr. Lessin has had broad media experience, hosting medical spots on both radio and TV. He was a Child Health Focus Editor of the health information portal, Healthology.com, where he authored articles, appeared in streaming video webcasts and edited the site's medical content concerning the health of children. In addition, he authored a biweekly column for a regional newspaper. He has appeared on regional radio providing parenting advice 10 times monthly as well as appearing on live call in programs concerning Pediatric care. Dr. Lessin provides honest and accurate expert case review, as well as poised and competent testimony at both deposition and trial. He is willing to travel if necessary.
In addition to his Pediatric expertise, Dr. Lessin has extensive experience and involvement in all aspects of Managed Care. He was a founder, and for 12 years, was Chairman of a 2000 physician IPA that contracts with Managed Care organizations and covers over 150,000 lives. He is a Certified Managed Care Executive through the American Association of Health Plans, the HMO trade organization. He currently serves on the Board of Directors of a regional non-for-profit healtcare company with over 700,000 covered lives and nearly $3 billion in annual premium.
Background
Q: Please list your professional accreditations, degrees, licenses, and certificates granted:A: 1975 BS Summa Cum Laude Union College, Schenectady, New York.
1979 MD Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, California
1979-1982 Internship and Residency in Pediatrics, Yale-New Haven Hospital
1996 Certified Managed Care Executive, American Association of Health Plans, Executive Leadership Program
1982 NYS Medical License
1984 Certified American Board of Pediatrics
2001 Re-certifed (Voluntary) American Board of Pediatrics
2008 Re-certifed (Voluntary) American Board of Pediatrics
Q: Please list your affiliations or memberships in any professional and/or industry organizations:
A: Certified, American Board of Pediatrics
Re-Certified American Board of Pediatrics
Director, Department of Clinical Research, The Children's Medical Group, PLLC
Fellow, American Academy of Pediatrics
Vice President, The Children's Medical Group, PLLC
Member, Medical Society of the State of New York
Member, Dutchess County Medical Society
Member, Taconic Independent Practice Association
Member, Committee on Practice and Ambulatory Medicine, American Academy of Pediatrics
Member, Editorial Advisory Board, Practice Management Online, American Academy of Pediatrics
Member, Section of Administration and Practice Management, American Academy of Pediatrics
Member, Executive Committee, Section of Administration and Practice Management, American Academy of Pediatrics
Member, Section of Pediatric Dermatology, American Academy of Pediatrics
Member, Society of Clinical Research Associates
Q: Please list any teaching or speaking experience you have had, including subject matter:
A: 2009 - Speaker at National AAP meeting and National "Future of Pediatrics" Meeting
2007 - Speaker at National AAP meeting and National "Future of Pediatrics" Meeting
2005-06 "Keys to Survival" Presented to several Pediatric Grand Rounds and Speaking Programs for Physicians in the region. Sponsored by Mead Johnson Nutritionals.
2005 "Win-Win Collaboration in Pediatrics" Presented with Joseph Heavey and Adil Ameer at the HealthCare Strategists program on Hospital Physician Relations October 12, 2005 in Phoenix, Arizona.
2005 "Strength in Numbers: Thriving Pediatric Practices Share Their Experience and Tips" Presented with Dr. Charles Scott at the American Academy of Pediatrics SuperCME2005 program, April 14, 2005, Orlando Florida.
2005 "Omigod, I'm Being Sued!! Practical Tips on How to Reduce Your Risk and How to Respond If and When It Happens to You" Presented at the American Academy of Pediatrics SuperCME2005 program, April 14, 2005, Orlando Florida.
2004 ìImplementing ADHD Practice Guidelines: A Practical System for the Busy Pediatric Officeí. Presented to the Section on Administration and Practice Management, American Academy of Pediatrics, National Conference,October 9. 2004.
2004 ìEmergency Treatment of Asthma in Childrenî, presented to the Dept. of Emergency Medicine, Vassar Brothers Medical Center, Poughkeepsie, NY June 17, 2004.
2003 ìHot Topics in Pediatricsî Panel discussion moderator. Presented to the Section on Administration and Practice Management, American Academy of Pediatrics,National Conference, November 1, 2003.
2003- American Academy of Pediatrics National Conference- "Implementing Asthma Guidelines: A Practical System for the Busy Pediatric Office"
2003- Sponsored Speaker on implementing ADHD Guidelines in an office setting
2002-2003 Sponsored Speaker on Implementing Asthma Guidelines in an office setting.
1998-2000 St. Francis Hospital Family Practice Residency Program. Attending Pediatrician. Taught residents in both office and hospital settings. Gave Pediatric education lectures on a variety of topics.
Q: Have any of your accreditations ever been investigated, suspended or removed? (if yes, explain)
A: No
Q: On how many occasions have you been retained as an expert?
A: Approximately 200
Q: For what area(s) of expertise have you been retained as an expert?
A: General Pediatrics
Q: In what percentage of your cases were you retained by the plaintiff?
A: Approximately 60%
Q: In what percentage of your cases were you retained by the defendant?
A: Approximately 40%
Q: On how many occasions have you had your deposition taken?
A: 24
Q: When was the last time you had your deposition taken?
A: 2008
Q: On how many occasions have you been qualified by a court to give expert testimony?
A: 8
Q: On how many occasions have you testified as an expert in court or before an arbitrator?
A: 8
Q: For how many years have you worked with the legal industry as an expert?
A: More than 22
Q: What services do you offer? (E.g.: consulting, testing, reports, site inspections etc.)
A: Case Review
Expert Report
Deposition Testimony
Trial Testimony
Q: What is your hourly rate to consult with an attorney?
A: 450
Q: What is your hourly rate to review documents?
A: 450
Q: What is your hourly rate to provide deposition testimony?
A: 600 per hour with a 4 hour minimum portal to portal
Q: What is your hourly rate to provide testimony at trial?
A: 6000 per day or any part thereof
Q: Please list any fees other than those stated above (E.g.: travel expenses, copy fees, etc.)
A: $2000 Initial retainer for review
Other expenses reimbursed at actual
