The Medical Opinion Marketplace

Wendell M. Heard, MD, is an orthopaedic surgeon specializing in sports medicine. He serves as an Associate Professor in the Department of Orthopaedics at Tulane University School of Medicine and cares for patients through Tulane’s sports medicine programs, including clinical work at Tulane-Lakeside Hospital. Dr. Heard earned his medical degree from Tulane University School of Medicine and completed orthopaedic surgery residency training at The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University. He pursued advanced fellowship training in orthopaedic trauma at Brown University and in orthopaedic sports medicine at Rush University Medical Center. He is board certified by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery and is additionally certified in orthopaedic sports medicine. His clinical and academic interests focus on sports-related injuries, with particular attention to knee conditions. His research interests include knee injuries, stem cell treatments, and cartilage restoration, and he has contributed to peer-reviewed orthopaedic research. Dr. Heard is active in professional organizations including the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine, and has served with the Arthroscopy Association of North America Research Committee. He has also been recognized as a Castle Connolly Top Doctor in New Orleans.

Michael J. O’Brien, MD, is a board-certified orthopaedic surgeon specializing in sports medicine with a subspecialty focus on shoulder and elbow care. He serves at Tulane University School of Medicine as Professor of Orthopaedics, Lee C. Schlesinger Endowed Chair of Orthopaedics, Chief of Shoulder & Elbow Services, and Program Director for the Orthopaedic Surgery Residency. Dr. O’Brien earned his medical degree from Tulane University School of Medicine and completed orthopaedic surgery residency training at the University of Maryland in Baltimore. He further advanced his expertise with fellowship training in Shoulder & Elbow at the Rothman Orthopaedic Institute at Thomas Jefferson University. His clinical and research interests include shoulder and elbow reconstructive surgery, arthroscopy, rotator cuff repair, shoulder instability, and joint replacement procedures such as reverse total shoulder replacement and total elbow replacement. He is an Active Member of the American Shoulder & Elbow Surgeons and a member of the Association of Clinical Elbow and Shoulder Surgeons. In addition to his clinical and academic leadership, Dr. O’Brien serves as a team physician for Tulane Athletics, NOLA Gold Rugby, and Brother Martin High School.

Sarah M. DeLand, MD, is a psychiatrist who provides comprehensive evaluation and treatment for adults, with expertise spanning general psychiatry, forensic psychiatry, and addiction medicine. She earned her medical degree from the University of Louisville School of Medicine and completed residency training in psychiatry at the Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic of the University of Pittsburgh. Dr. DeLand pursued advanced fellowship training in forensic psychiatry at the University of Florida. Dr. DeLand is board certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology in Psychiatry and holds subspecialty certification in Forensic Psychiatry. She also holds subspecialty certification in Addiction Medicine through the American Board of Preventive Medicine. Her clinical interests include the assessment and management of psychiatric conditions at the intersection of mental health and the legal system, as well as care for individuals with substance use disorders occurring alongside other psychiatric concerns. In addition to her clinical work, Dr. DeLand serves as an Assistant Professor of Adult Psychiatry and Forensic Neuropsychiatry at the Tulane University School of Medicine. She is affiliated with University Medical Center New Orleans and East Jefferson General Hospital.

Dr. Gina M. Manguno-Mire is a licensed clinical psychologist and forensic psychology specialist serving on the faculty of Tulane University School of Medicine as an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Forensic Division. She earned her PhD in Clinical Psychology from Louisiana State University and completed her psychology internship at the New Orleans Veterans Affairs Medical Center, followed by postdoctoral research fellowship training focused on posttraumatic stress at Tulane University. Dr. Manguno-Mire is board certified in Forensic Psychology. Her clinical practice centers on forensic psychological evaluation for the courts, including assessments of competency to stand trial, criminal responsibility, and sentencing or mitigation. She is known for trauma-informed forensic evaluations and adult violence risk assessments, integrating clinical expertise with careful attention to legal standards and public safety considerations. In addition to her clinical work, Dr. Manguno-Mire is the founder of Tulane’s Forensic Psychology Training program and serves as Director of Forensic Training, supporting the education and supervision of clinicians in forensic practice. Her scholarly interests include violence risk assessment among defendants with mental illness on conditional release or probation, as well as factors related to competency and competency restoration.

David I. Beran, DO, is an emergency medicine physician at University Medical Center New Orleans within LCMC Health. He earned his Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree from Des Moines University and completed residency training at LSU School of Medicine in New Orleans. Dr. Beran is board-certified in Emergency Medicine by the American Board of Emergency Medicine. In clinical practice, Dr. Beran provides comprehensive, timely care for patients with urgent and complex medical needs, emphasizing clear communication, efficient evaluation, and coordinated treatment decisions in high-acuity settings. He is committed to patient-centered emergency care and to working collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams to support safe transitions of care. Dr. Beran has contributed to the academic and professional advancement of emergency medicine as a co-author of peer-reviewed work focused on international emergency medicine training. He also holds the credential of Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives (FACHE), reflecting a dedication to healthcare leadership and operational excellence in support of quality, safety, and patient experience.

Marcus Bachhuber, M.D., is an addiction medicine and internal medicine physician affiliated with University Medical Center New Orleans. He is board-certified in Internal Medicine and Addiction Medicine and provides comprehensive care for adults, with a focus on evidence-based treatment for substance use disorders and the medical conditions that often accompany them. Dr. Bachhuber earned his medical degree from the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania and completed an internal medicine residency at Montefiore Medical Center. He pursued fellowship training at the University of Pennsylvania, further strengthening his expertise at the intersection of clinical care, health systems, and population health. In addition to his clinical work, Dr. Bachhuber serves as Chief Medical Officer of Louisiana Medicaid at the Louisiana Department of Health. He is also a faculty member at LSU Health Sciences Center New Orleans in the Department of Medicine, Community & Population Medicine, with a clinical faculty appointment, and is listed as graduate faculty in Public Health. His professional interests include improving access to and quality of treatment for substance use disorders, health services organization and delivery, and health technology assessment.

Michael Gee, Psy.D., is a licensed clinical psychologist in Louisiana who provides patient-centered psychological care with a focus on practical, evidence-informed treatment. He serves as an Assistant Professor of Clinical Psychiatry in the Department of Psychiatry, Section of Psychology, at LSU Health Sciences Center New Orleans, where he contributes to clinical service and academic work. Dr. Gee’s training includes graduate education in clinical psychology and advanced clinical placements in adult-focused care and clinical health psychology. His clinical interests include health psychology and supporting underserved populations, with particular attention to gambling-related concerns and the mental health needs of sexual minorities. He works collaboratively with patients to clarify goals, strengthen coping skills, and address the ways emotional wellbeing intersects with physical health and day-to-day functioning. In addition to his academic role, Dr. Gee provides behavioral health services through InclusivCare across community and school-based settings. He offers online therapy via secure video, with availability that includes many weekday evenings, to improve access and continuity of care for individuals seeking flexible scheduling.

Eric Royster, MD, is a physician specializing in Pain Medicine with a background in anesthesiology. He is board certified in Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine and focuses on comprehensive evaluation and treatment of acute and chronic pain conditions. Dr. Royster earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of North Carolina and received his medical degree from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences College of Medicine. He completed an Anesthesiology residency at Ochsner Clinic & Hospital, followed by fellowship training in Pain Medicine at the University of New Mexico. In addition to interventional and medical pain management, Dr. Royster is a certified acupuncturist, reflecting an integrative approach to care that may incorporate complementary techniques when appropriate. His leadership experience includes serving as Medical Director of the Ochsner Baptist Pain Center and supervising a Chronic Pain Education Program, roles that underscore his commitment to patient education and coordinated care. Dr. Royster is affiliated with Tulane Medical Center and Ochsner St. Anne General Hospital and offers telehealth appointments to support access and continuity of care.

Joshua H. Kaufman, MD, is a board-certified Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation physician who specializes in restoring function and improving quality of life for patients with a wide range of neuromusculoskeletal conditions. His clinical interests include spine and back pain, musculoskeletal problems, spasticity management, prosthetics and orthotics, and comprehensive pain management. Dr. Kaufman earned his medical degree from Louisiana State University School of Medicine in New Orleans. He completed his internship at Alton Ochsner Medical Foundation Hospital and went on to complete a residency in Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation at Boston University Medical Center, where he served as Chief Resident. In addition to his clinical work, Dr. Kaufman has held significant leadership roles, including serving for many years as Chairman of the Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Department at Ochsner Clinic Foundation, as well as Chairman of the Occupational Medicine Department. He has also contributed to medical education as an assistant professor at Tulane Medical School and LSU Medical School and has taught at Ochsner. Dr. Kaufman is a Fellow of the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and is affiliated with New Orleans East Hospital.

Claude S. Williams IV, MD, is a board-certified orthopaedic surgeon with advanced expertise in hand and upper extremity care. His clinical focus includes the evaluation and treatment of traumatic, congenital, and degenerative conditions affecting the hand, wrist, elbow, and shoulder, as well as sports-related injuries. Dr. Williams combines operative and nonoperative approaches tailored to each patient’s needs, with an emphasis on restoring function, reducing pain, and supporting a safe return to work, daily activities, and athletics. Dr. Williams completed his medical degree at LSU School of Medicine in New Orleans, followed by an orthopaedic surgery residency at LSU. He then pursued additional fellowship training at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia and holds additional board certification in Surgery of the Hand. In addition to his clinical practice, Dr. Williams serves on the clinical faculty of the LSU Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and participates in training family practice sports medicine fellows. He is affiliated with Touro and East Jefferson General Hospital and has held physician leadership roles within hospital and professional organizations. He provides care in English.