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Hawaii Medical Experts - IME Medical Experts, DME Doctors- Recommended Doctors vs. Biased IME Doctors who have sold out to the insurers and Insurance Company Doctors

This Hawaii Medical Experts page and the pages to which it links are provided in an effort to help patients and those who care about them to steer clear of biased IME doctors, insurance company doctors and uncaring and/or incompetent doctors. Since the courts often do not admit evidence of insurance company control of a doctor's income stream and the governing authority here in Hawaii does not deem it necessary to require doctors to practice medicine in the best manner available (see next paragraph), it is up to the public to educate itself and to share information about which doctors must be avoided and which to recommend. Obviously, this information here is being provided by a non-medical person and no authority exists whatsoever for these pronouncements- it is simply personal opinion based upon experience, hearsay and conjecture. If this information seems helpful- great- if not, ignore it as the ravings of an uninformed lunatic.

For more information about Defense Medical Exams, Insurance Company Doctors and the Rules which such doctors are supposed to follow, you may wish to visit: Defense Medical Exams - Hawaii.

One of the reasons why the people of Hawaii should share their feelings and information about doctors, physicians and chiropractors in the islands is that Hawaii has an absolutely dismal level of "self"-discipline of medical professionals. Among the states, Hawaii appears to be dead last in levels of discipline by the governing state board for recent years. In the Public Citizen’s Health Research Group's publication Ranking of the Rate of State Medical Boards’ Serious Disciplinary Actions in 2003 (Health Research Groups Publication #1696), the study found that Hawaii has been among five states (Wisconsin, Minnesota, Tennessee, Delaware, and Hawaii) which have consistently been in the bottom 15 states for nine consecutive 3-year average periods. According to this study Hawaii's rank based on average doctor disciplinary rates over three years for the years ending is shown as follows:
1995- 50th
1996- 49th
1997- 50th
1998- 46th
1999- 48th
2000- 47th
2001- 49th
2002- 50th (dead last- did not include D.C.)
2003- 51st (dead last- included D.C.)
Hawaii's cumulative rank appears to be dead last over this nine year period. As the Public Citizen's study concluded: "Given the importance of medical boards in protecting patients from doctors who are not practicing medicine in the best manner and are thus endangering the lives and health of residents, {Hawaii's medical board is} not living up to this obligation."

Many doctors sell out on the practice of medicine after a while and begin to work for insurance companies doing insurance company medical examinations (IME's) and writing reports in which they diminish the value of an injured person's injuries. These doctors are sometimes referred to as Independent Medical Experts, but it is far more accurate to describe them as Defense Medical Experts. The insurance companies find such doctors to be of great financial benefit to them because these doctors provide the insurer with admissible biased medical testimony which predictably states that the injuries don't exist at all and, even if they did, they were completely unrelated to the incident for which the insurer is liable. Among the plaintiffs' bar, we refer to such doctors as "having gone over to the dark side".

The lure of huge sums of money paid by insurance companies is primarily responsible for converting doctors over to the "dark side". Income of over $500,000 a year is often earned by these doctors- just for performing defense oriented medical examinations, writing medical reports (which are usually done by staff and not the doctor) and testifying against patients in hearings and court proceedings when necessary to benefit the insurance companies that pay them. This enormous income stream becomes the reward- and the curse- of these doctors. Once a doctor has converted to the dark side, the insurers can cut the doctor's earnings off overnight if the doctor writes a report that is favorable to a claimant. Since the choice of doctors is completely within the control of an insurance company and the defense attorney who works for the insurance company (and acts as the "front man" to keep the jury from hearing about the insurance company's involvement), doctors who do not perform as expected are immediately relegated to blacklist status. Thereafter, they are shunned by insurance companies as being unpredictable. DME doctors are aware of this risk and most form their "opinions" and write their reports to avoid becoming blacklist material.

This problem is way more prevalent than the average person is aware and it is way more serious that the average juror would believe. Yes, they would do it to you too- just like they have to many innocent victims before you. Since the Hawaii rules of evidence (like those in most jurisdictions) preclude litigants from even mentioning liability insurance in most trials, juries never hear that these doctors are spokesmen for insurance company interests- saying whatever is in the best financial interests of the insurers. They see a doctor and a defense attorney and they never even hear about an insurance company and its control of the doctor. Since doctors generally have a pretty good reputation- the insurance companies are able to take advantage of this- and a completely false impression of reliable medical testimony is created in the jurors' eyes.

One first step to addressing this problem would be to change the rules of evidence so that insurance company involvement is no longer excluded from jury consideration. In light of the warping effect of insurance company money on this type of medical testimony, it is essential that jurors be allowed to see the big picture. The misuse of political and financial power of the insurance companies should no longer be permitted to hide this important evidence of what is really going on from the deliberations of the juries of our peers. Please join us in supporting changes to this unfair rule of evidence.

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Recommended Doctors- Oahu

Neurosurgery & Disk Surgery

William G. Obana, M.D., aka William Obana, M.D., Dr. William G. Obana, Dr. William Obana (neurosurgery, neurosurgeon)

Gonzalo Chong, M.D., aka Ganzalo Chong, M.D., Dr. Gonzalo Chong, Dr. Ganzalo Chong

Jon F. Graham, M.D., aka Jon Graham, M.D., Dr. Jon F. Graham, Dr. Jon Graham

Leon Liem, M.D., aka Dr. Leon Liem

Orthopedic Surgery, Orthopaedic Surgeon

Darryl M. Kan M.D, Darryl Kan M.D, Dr. Darryl M. Kan, Dr. Darryl Kan

Jeffrey (Kimo) Harpstrite, MD, Jeffrey Harpstrite, MD, Dr. Jeffrey Kimo Harpstrite, Dr. Jeffrey Harpstrite (also Trauma Specialist)

Antonio B Cordero, MD, Antonio Cordero, MD, Dr. Antonio B Cordero, Dr. Antonio Cordero

Thomas J. Kane, MD, Thomas Kane, MD, Dr. Thomas J. Kane, Dr. Thomas Kane - lower extremities

Calvin S. Oishi, MD, Calvin Oishi, MD, Dr. Calvin S. Oishi, Dr. Calvin Oishi - lower extremities, esp. knees, and hip replacement

Jeffrey J K Lee, MD, Jeffrey Lee, MD, Dr. Jeffrey J K Lee, Dr. Jeffrey Lee

Stuart K. Wakatsuki, MD, Stuart Wakatsuki, MD, Dr. Stuart K. Wakatsuki, Dr. Stuart Wakatsuki, - Kailua, Hawaii

Morris (nmn) Mitsunaga, MD, Morris Mitsunaga, MD, Dr. Morris (nmn) Mitsunaga, Dr. Morris Mitsunaga

Gary Y. Okamura, MD, Gary Okamura, MD, Dr. Gary Y. Okamura, Dr. Gary Okamura

Peter (nmn) Diamond, MD, Peter Diamond, MD, Dr. Peter (nmn) Diamond, Dr. Peter Diamond
(unfortunately Dr. Diamond is in a group "Honolulu Sports Medical Clinic Inc" with mostly insurance company doctors)

Neurology, Neurologist

Jordan S. Popper, MD, Jordan Popper, MD, Dr. Jordan S. Popper, Dr. Jordan Popper

Leo M. Maher, MD, Leo Maher, MD, Dr. Leo M. Maher, Dr. Leo Maher

James (nmn) Pearce, M.D., James Pearce, M.D., Dr. James (nmn) Pearce, Dr. James Pearce

Hand & Foot Surgeon, Orthopedic|Orthopaedic Surgery

Robert E. Atkinson, M.D., Robert Atkinson, M.D., Dr. Robert E. Atkinson, Dr. Robert Atkinson

Michael K Hahn, MD, Michael Hahn, MD, Dr. Michael K Hahn, Dr. Michael Hahn

Daniel I. Singer, M.D., Daniel Singer, M.D., Dr. Daniel I. Singer, Dr. Daniel Singer

Stuart K. Wakatsuki, M.D., Stuart Wakatsuki, M.D., Dr. Stuart K. Wakatsuki, Dr. Stuart Wakatsuki

Occupational Medicine

John S. Endicott MD, John Endicott MD, Dr. John S. Endicott, Dr. John Endicott

James R. Langworthy, MD, James Langworthy, MD, Dr. James R. Langworthy, Dr. James Langworthy

Vern K. Sasaki, MD, Vern Sasaki, MD, Dr. Vern K. Sasaki , Dr. Vern Sasaki

Rehabilitation, Occupational and Sports Medicine

Ira D. Zunin, MD, Ira Zunin, MD, Dr. Ira D. Zunin, Dr. Ira Zunin

Scott D. McCaffrey, MD, Scott McCaffrey, MD, Dr. Scott D. McCaffrey, Dr. Scott McCaffrey

Pain Management - severe - and Anesthesiology

Mary Kathryn Schaefer, M.D., M. Kathryn Schaefer, M.D., Kathy Schaefer, MD, Dr. Mary Kathryn Schaefer, Dr. M. Kathryn Schaefer - Pain Management for severe cases

Neuropsychology

Richard P. Kappenberg, Ph.D., Richard Kappenberg, Ph.D., Richard P. Kappenberg, MD, Dr. Richard P. Kappenberg

Psychiatry- Psychiatrist

Boyd J. Slomoff, MD., aka Boyd Slomoff, MD. aka Dr. Boyd J. Slomoff aka Dr. Boyd Slomoff (male)

Psychology- Psychologist- Clinical Psychologist

Rene Tillich, Ph.D., aka Rene (nmn) Tillich, Ph.D. aka Dr. Rene Tillich aka Dr. Rene (nmn) Tillich (male)

Psychology- Psychologist- Clinical Psychologist - PTSD, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

Chalsa M. Loo, Ph.D., aka Chalsa Loo, Ph.D., aka Dr. Chalsa M. Loo, aka Dr. Chalsa Loo

Silke (nmn) Vogelmann-Sine, Ph.D., aka Silke Vogelmann-Sine, Ph.D., aka Dr. Silke (nmn) Vogelmann-Sine, aka Dr. Silke Vogelmann-Sine

Roger Hamada, Ph.D aka Roger S. Hamada, Ph.D, aka Dr. Roger Hamada, aka Dr. Roger S. Hamada

Warren Loos, Ph.D., aka Dr. Warren Loos

Developmental Psychology- Child Psychology- Autism

Maggie Koven, aka Dr. Maggie Koven, Loveland Academy

Ann Pulozzi

Child Psychology

Linda Yamamoto, Ph.D, aka Dr. Linda Yamamoto

Ophthalmology, Neuro-Ophthalmology

J. Scott Kortvelesy, MD, aka Scott Kortvelesy, MD, aka Dr. J. Scott Kortvelesy, aka Dr. Scott Kortvelesy

Ophthalmology

Gary Edwards, MD, Gary (nmn) Edwards, MD, aka Dr. Gary Edwards, aka Dr. Gary (nmn) Edwards

Percival H. Chee MD, MD, aka Percival Chee MD, MD, aka Dr. Percival H. Chee MD, aka Dr. Percival Chee

Speech Language Pathology (Speech Pathology), Audiology, Psychology

Dr. Patricia J. Dukes, aka Dr. Patricia Dukes, aka Dr. Patty J. Dukes, aka Dr. Patty Dukes, Loveland Academy

Mary Marasovich (speech pathology)

Orthopaedics (Orthopedics), Rehabilitation and Sports Medicine

Timothy F. Olderr, MD, Timothy Olderr, MD, Dr. Timothy F. Olderr, Dr. Timothy Olderr

Bernard M. Portner, MD, Bernard Portner, MD, Dr. Bernard M. Portner, Dr. Bernard Portner

Internal Medicine- Internist

Clyde T. Miyaki M.D., aka Clyde Miyaki M.D, Dr. Clyde T. Miyaki, Dr. Clyde Miyaki (internal medicine, internist)

Lance (nmn) Yokochi M.D., aka Lance Yokochi M.D, Dr. Lance (nmn) Yokochi, Dr. Lance Yokochi (internal medicine, internist - also occupational medicine, occmed)

Internal Medicine- RSD (Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy/Disorder)

Eugene M. Lee, MD, aka Eugene Lee, MD, Dr. Eugene M. Lee, Dr. Eugene Lee (internal medicine, internist, RSD, Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy/Disorder)

Physiatrist, Physiatry, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

Linda J Rowan, MD, Linda Rowan, MD, Dr. Linda J Rowan, Dr. Linda Rowan

Marlon P. Rimando, MD, Marlon Rimando, MD, Dr. Marlon P. Rimando, Dr. Marlon Rimando

Gary A. Okamoto, MD, Gary Okamoto, MD, Dr. Gary A. Okamoto, Dr. Gary Okamoto

Infections Expert, Infectious Disease Expert

William K. Lau, MD , William Lau, MD , Dr. William K. Lau, Dr. William Lau

Dental Expert, TMJ, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery

George A. Wessberg, D.D.S., George Wessberg, DDS, Dr. George A. Wessberg, Dr. George Wessberg (reconstructive dentistry) (active in community service also)

Lonnie W. Tiner, D.D.S., Lonnie Tiner, DDS, Dr. Lonnie W. Tiner, Dr. Lonnie Tiner (now lives in Yucca Valley, California

Dental Expert, TMJ

Todd T. Tasaki, D.D.S., Todd Tasaki, DDS, Dr. Todd T. Tasaki, Dr. Todd Tasaki

Armand K. Chong, DDS, Armand Chong, DDS, Dr. Armand K. Chong, Dr. Armand Chong

Mark M. Tasaki, D.D.S., Mark Tasaki, DDS, Dr. Mark M. Tasaki, Dr. Mark Tasaki

Chiropractor, Chiropractic Medicine

Nicholas G. Opie DC, Nicholas Opie DC, Dr. Nicholas G. Opie, Dr. Nicholas Opie

Eugene (nmn) Kitts DC, Eugene Kitts DC, Dr. Eugene (nmn) Kitts, Dr. Eugene Kitts

Alex (nmn) Concepcion, DC, Alex Concepcion, DC, Dr. Alex (nmn) Concepcion, Dr. Alex Concepcion

Impairment Ratings, Independent Medical Exams (IMEs)

Typically, a specialist in the area of injury chosen from the list of recommended doctors (the upper part of this page) should be appropriate. Some doctors who have generally been fair include:

John S. Endicott MD, John Endicott MD, Dr. John S. Endicott, Dr. John Endicott

James R. Langworthy, MD, James Langworthy, MD, Dr. James R. Langworthy, Dr. James Langworthy

Morris (nmn) Mitsunaga, MD, Morris Mitsunaga, MD, Dr. Morris (nmn) Mitsunaga, Dr. Morris Mitsunaga

Jon F. Graham, M.D., aka Jon Graham, M.D., Dr. Jon F. Graham, Dr. Jon Graham

Gary A. Okamoto, MD, Gary Okamoto, MD, Dr. Gary A. Okamoto, Dr. Gary Okamoto

Peter (nmn) Diamond, MD, Peter Diamond, MD, Dr. Peter (nmn) Diamond, Dr. Peter Diamond

Lance (nmn) Yokochi M.D., aka Lance Yokochi M.D, Dr. Lance (nmn) Yokochi, Dr. Lance Yokochi (internal medicine, internist - also occupational medicine, occmed)

Scott D. McCaffrey, MD, Scott McCaffrey, MD, Dr. Scott D. McCaffrey, Dr. Scott McCaffrey

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Recommended Doctors- Maui

Orthopedic Surgery, Orthopaedic Surgeon

Darren K. Egami, MD, Darren Egami, MD, Dr. Darren K. Egami, Dr. Darren Egami

Charles A. Soma, MD, Charles Soma, MD, Dr. Charles A. Soma, Dr. Charles Soma (please be warned that Dr. Soma does not like hearing lots of complaining)

Psychology- Psychologist

Richard (nmn) Sword, Ph.D., Richard Sword, Ph.D., Dr. Richard (nmn) Sword, Dr. Richard Sword

Mark Breithaupt, Ph.D., Mark Breithaupt, Ph.D., Dr. Mark Breithaupt, Dr. Mark Breithaupt

Pain Management

Michael A. Klaper, MD, Michael Klaper, MD, Dr. Michael A. Klaper, Dr. Michael Klaper

Jeffrey H. Chester, DO, Jeffrey Chester, DO, Dr. Jeffrey H. Chester, Dr. Jeffrey Chester

Charles (nmn) Ballard, DO, Charles Ballard, DO, Dr. Charles (nmn) Ballard, Dr. Charles Ballard

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Recommended Doctors- Big Island of Hawaii

Neurology, Neurologist

Note: Voderbet C. Kamath MD, Voderbet Kamath MD, Dr. Voderbet C. Kamath, Dr. Voderbet Kamath has apparently moved to Yakima, Washington - so he is no longer available

Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation

Charles I. Salzberg, MD, Charles Salzberg, MD, Dr. Charles I. Salzberg, Dr. Charles Salzberg

Robert R. Sloan, M.D., Robert Sloan, MD, Dr. Robert R. Sloan, Dr. Robert Sloan

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Recommended Doctors- Kauai

Orthopedic Surgery, Orthopaedic Surgeon

Timothy E. Schendel, MD, Timothy Schendel, MD, Dr. Timothy E. Schendel , Dr. Timothy Schendel

Physiatrist, Physiatry, Physical Medicine

Gil (nmn) Hagar, MD, Gil Hagar, MD, Dr. Gil (nmn) Hagar, Dr. Gil Hagar

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So-called IME Medical Experts, DME Doctors to Avoid- Generally work for the Insurance Companies paying their bills and Do Not Work for the Patients
(** = regarded as an Insurance Company Doctor)

General practice and all alleged specialties

Clarissa T. Burkert, MD, aka Clarissa Burkert, MD, Dr. Clarissa T. Burkert, Dr. Clarissa Burkert **(Dr. Burkert is in a group called "Honolulu Sports Medical Clinic Inc" and she is one of several doctors in this misnamed group who never sees patients there (only people she hurts in return for insurance company wealth).

Maurice W. Nicholson, M.D., aka Maurice Nicholson, M.D., Dr. Maurice W. Nicholson, Dr. Maurice Nicholson (neurosurgery, neurosurgeon)**

Calvin C. Kam, M.D., aka Calvin Kam, M.D., Dr. Calvin C. Kam, Dr. Calvin Kam (neurosurgery, neurosurgeon)**

Anthony J. Mauro, M.D., aka Anthony Mauro, M.D., Dr. Anthony J. Mauro, Dr. Anthony Mauro (neurology, neurologist, internal medicine, internist)** (Dr. Mauro is so biased that insurance companies use him as the "insurance doctor of last resort" - even to overcome prior pro-claimant reports by other insurance company doctors!)

Ronald H. Kienitz, DO., aka Ronald Kienitz, DO., Dr. Ronald H. Kienitz, Dr. Ronald Kienitz**

Chet Nierenberg, M.D., aka Chet Nierenberg, M.D., Dr. Chet Nierenberg, Dr. Chet Nierenberg (Dr. Nierenberg is the director of the misnamed Honolulu Sports Medical Group, Inc. which would be more accurately named the "Honolulu Doctors Who've Sold Out to Insurance Group". He trains doctors in how to play on jury skepticism at trial and he gives talks to insurance personnel with titles like "10 WAYS to GET A BETTER IME (How to get the most Bang for your Buck)")**

Kenneth K. Nakano, MD aka Kenneth Nakano, MD, Dr. Kenneth K. Nakano, Dr. Kenneth Nakano (neurology, neurologist)**

Bruce Hector, MD aka Dr. Bruce Hector (unknown if any specialty at all)**
(For an examination of the kind of damage these Insurance Doctors can do- take a look at Chung v. GTE Hawaiian Telephone Co., Inc., Intermediate Court Of Appeals No. 25220 (Sept. 9, 2004) which required 4 years and an appellate court decision to reverse the impact of Dr. Hector's anti-patient "IME") (Note also that the court did not publish this opinion involving a defense medical examiner.)

Robert L. Smith, MD aka Robert Smith, MD, Dr. Robert L. Smith, Dr. Robert Smith (orthopaedic surgeon, orthopedic surgeon, orthopod)**

Leonard N. Cupo, MD aka Leonard Cupo, MD, Dr. Leonard N. Cupo, Dr. Leonard N. Cupo (internal medicine, internist)**

Jon (nmn) Streltzer, MD aka Jon Streltzer, MD, Dr. Jon (nmn) Streltzer, Dr. Jon Streltzer (psychiatry, psychiatrist)**

Martin (nmn) Blinder, M.D., Martin Blinder, M.D., Dr. Martin (nmn) Blinder, Dr. Martin Blinder (psychiatry, psychiatrist)**

James (nmn) Pierce M.D. aka James Pierce M.D., Dr. James (nmn) Pierce, Dr. James Pierce (neurology, neurologist)**

Kent (nmn) Davenport M.D, Kent Davenport M.D, Dr. Kent (nmn) Davenport, Dr. Kent Davenport **(orthopaedic surgeon, orthopedic surgery)

Ramon H. Bagby, M.D, Ramon Bagby, MD, Dr. Ramon H. Bagby, Dr. Ramon Bagby **(orthopaedic surgeon, orthopedic surgery)

Clifford (nmn) Lau, M.D., Clifford Lau, MD, Dr. Clifford (nmn) Lau, Dr. Clifford Lau (orthopaedic surgeon, orthopedic surgery) (regarded as a doctor consistently favoring the State of Hawaii). Recent reports from Dr. Lau (1) found that a back injury which included a significant long term increase in back pain was only a temporary aggravation and that the ongoing disability was 100% caused by pre-existing conditions even though he reviewed no medical records regarding any pre-existing condition, pain levels nor treatment and (2) apportioned a knee injury resulting from being hit by a car which was treated by removal of most of the meniscus in the knee - 1/3 to pre-existing age related knee conditions (which had no symptoms) and 1/3 to a "so-called" post-accident injury because the patient felt pain while running in a straight line after the accident. Unfortunately most defense medical exam opinions are not so transparently wrong.

Stephen M. Hirasuna, MD, Stephen Hirasuna, MD, Dr. Stephen M. Hirasuna, Dr. Stephen Hirasuna (orthopaedic surgeon, orthopedic surgery)

Jon H. Scarpino, MD, Jon Scarpino, MD, Dr. Jon H. Scarpino, Dr. Jon Scarpino (orthopaedic surgeon, orthopedic surgery) (According to reports Dr. Scarpino is bad but getting better.)

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Insurers who insist on using biased medical examiners in an effort to routinely deny insurance benefits to injured people do have some risk. In Hangarter v. Provident Life and Accident Ins. Co., 373 F.3d 998, 1010-1011 (9th Cir. 2004) the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals noted that Provident had used the same medical examiner at least 19 times over the past 5 years. Moreover, in 13 of 13 claims for disability insurance coverage the medical examiner rejected the total disability claim each time. The Court asserted that the repeated use of a biased medical examiner overcomes any presumption that a carrier's denial of a claim is a "genuine dispute". Instead such a practice constitutes evidence of bad faith on the part of the carrier and may give rise to an independent cause of action against the insurance carrier. Unfortunately, very few courts to date have publicly recognized the extent of this common insurance company practice which seeks to deny policyholders and claimants the very benefits for which the insurance was purchased.

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Doctors to Avoid- Other Reasons

General practice and all alleged specialties

Sharon S. Lawler M.D, aka Sharon Lawler, M.D., Dr. Sharon S. Lawler, Dr. Sharon Lawler (internist, internal medicine) (Medical record problems with lack of responsiveness to medical information requests)

Susan M Cauley M.D, aka Susan Cauley, M.D., Dr. Susan M Cauley, Dr. Susan Cauley (Medical record problems with lack of responsiveness to medical information requests)

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For more information about Defense Medical Exams, Insurance Company Doctors and the Rules which such doctors are supposed to follow, you may wish to visit: Defense Medical Exams - Hawaii.