The Medical Opinion Marketplace

Samantha E. Nusbaum, OT, is an Occupational Therapist in San Diego, California. She provides patient-centered occupational therapy services focused on helping individuals improve functional independence and quality of life through meaningful, goal-directed activities. Her clinical approach emphasizes practical strategies that support performance in daily routines, promote safe participation at home and in the community, and address each patient’s unique priorities. In addition to clinical practice, Ms. Nusbaum has professional experience that blends an occupational therapy background with work in clinical research operations as a Clinical Research Associate. This experience includes familiarity with Good Clinical Practice principles and coordination activities such as site-level processes and regulatory and data oversight. Her combined perspective supports an evidence-informed mindset and a strong appreciation for outcomes, documentation, and interdisciplinary collaboration. Ms. Nusbaum’s professional interests include neurorehabilitation and stroke recovery, along with emerging themes in rehabilitation technology. She communicates in English and strives to create a supportive environment where patients and families feel heard, engaged, and empowered throughout the rehabilitation process.

Jacqueline Whalen, D.C., is a chiropractor based in San Diego, California. She earned her Doctor of Chiropractic degree from Palmer College of Chiropractic in Davenport, Iowa, and has been in practice for more than 25 years. Dr. Whalen is associated with Whalen Chiropractic and provides care for a wide range of musculoskeletal concerns, including back and neck pain, headaches, arthritis, sports-related injuries, dizziness, and pregnancy-related hip pain. She also offers pain management consultations and weight loss consultations. Dr. Whalen focuses on practical, patient-centered care and works with individuals to understand their symptoms, daily demands, and goals so that treatment plans are tailored to each person’s needs. Patients can expect clear communication and an emphasis on helping them return to comfortable movement and everyday activities. In her office, Dr. Whalen describes a transparent, fee-based approach and notes that she is an out-of-network provider, with pricing discussed directly with patients. She provides care in English.

Delia Silva, PsyD, is a licensed clinical neuropsychologist specializing in comprehensive neuropsychological assessment and evidence-based psychotherapy for adults. She is board certified in Clinical Neuropsychology by the American Board of Professional Psychology (ABPP-CN) and serves as a Qualified Medical Evaluator for the State of California. Dr. Silva is also HIMS-certified with the Federal Aviation Administration. Dr. Silva earned her bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Maryland and completed both her master’s degree and PsyD in Psychology at the Florida Institute of Technology. Her advanced training includes postdoctoral fellowship experience in neuropsychology at the University of California, San Diego, as well as postdoctoral training in neuro-rehabilitation at Fullerton Neuropsychological Services/St. Jude Medical Center. She completed her predoctoral internship with the Central California Psychology Internship Consortium/Synchrony of Visalia. Her clinical interests include clinical and forensic neuropsychological evaluations addressing traumatic brain injury, stroke, neurodegenerative conditions, and complex differential diagnosis between psychiatric and neurological presentations. In therapy, she primarily uses a cognitive-behavioral approach and integrates elements of dialectical behavior therapy, mindfulness, and insight-oriented strategies. Fluent in Spanish, Dr. Silva also incorporates training in nutrition and healthy living to support whole-person brain health. She remains active in professional organizations and has contributed to the neuropsychology literature as a co-author in a peer-reviewed journal.

Kenneth H. Ott, MD, is a neurological surgeon and Physician Emeritus with Neurosurgical Medical Clinic / San Diego Neurosurgeons. Over a long career in San Diego, he provided comprehensive neurosurgical care with particular expertise in minimally invasive spine surgery, stereotactic radiosurgery, and functional neurosurgery. His clinical interests have included procedures such as microlumbar discectomy and anterior cervical discectomy, as well as image-guided and frame-based stereotactic techniques. Dr. Ott has also cared for patients with brain tumors and pituitary disorders and has treated select conditions with endoscopic sympathectomy for hyperhidrosis. Dr. Ott completed pre-medical education at Yale University and earned his medical degree from the University of California, San Francisco School of Medicine. He pursued neurosurgical residency training at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. In addition to his clinical practice, he held significant leadership roles, including serving as Chief of the Divisions of Neurosurgery at Scripps Mercy Hospital and Scripps Memorial Hospital in La Jolla. He also served as Medical Director of the San Diego Gamma Knife Center and was a past President of the California Association of Neurological Surgeons. Dr. Ott is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons.

Dmitriy Sivtsov, M.D., is a psychiatrist providing comprehensive, patient-centered psychiatric care for adults in San Diego, California. He is board certified in Psychiatry by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology and brings extensive clinical experience to the evaluation and treatment of mood and anxiety conditions, including depression, anxiety disorders, and bipolar disorder. Dr. Sivtsov also treats obsessive-compulsive disorder and offers thoughtful, evidence-based medication management tailored to each patient’s goals, history, and preferences. In addition to traditional psychiatric care, he incorporates advanced, clinic-based interventions for appropriate candidates, including transcranial magnetic stimulation and esketamine/ketamine therapies. His approach emphasizes careful diagnostic assessment, collaborative treatment planning, and ongoing monitoring to optimize outcomes and support long-term stability. Dr. Sivtsov earned his medical degree from St. Petersburg State Medical University and completed postgraduate training in psychiatry. He offers both in-person and online appointments, helping patients access care in a format that fits their needs. Through an individualized and respectful style, Dr. Sivtsov works to help patients reduce symptoms, improve daily functioning, and build sustainable strategies for wellness.

Joseph R. Carney, MD, is an orthopaedic surgeon specializing in orthopaedic sports medicine. He focuses on the evaluation and treatment of sports-related injuries involving the shoulder, knee, and hip, and also cares for patients with traumatic fractures. Dr. Carney earned his medical degree from Georgetown University School of Medicine and completed an orthopaedic surgery residency at Naval Medical Center San Diego. He pursued additional subspecialty training through a sports medicine fellowship at Kaiser Foundation Hospital in San Diego. Before joining Kaiser Permanente San Diego Orthopedics, Dr. Carney served on active duty in the U.S. Navy as an orthopaedic surgeon. During his military career, he held leadership and teaching roles, including helping run an orthopaedic residency program and serving as a team orthopaedic surgeon for San Diego-based Naval Special Warfare teams. Dr. Carney is board certified by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery in Orthopaedic Surgery and Orthopaedic Sports Medicine. He is a faculty member in the Kaiser Permanente San Diego Orthopedic Sports Medicine Fellowship and maintains active involvement in professional organizations including the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine, the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, and the California Orthopaedic Association. His clinical interests include youth sports injury prevention.

Juan C. Arguello, DO, is a child and adolescent psychiatrist and Chief Health Policy Officer for the State of California’s Office of Youth and Community Restoration (OYCR). In this role, he helps advance health policy initiatives that support youth and community-centered systems of care. Dr. Arguello earned his Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree from Nova Southeastern University College of Osteopathic Medicine. He completed a general psychiatry residency at Naval Medical Center Portsmouth and advanced subspecialty training through a child and adolescent psychiatry fellowship at Harvard Medical School/Children’s Hospital Boston. He is board certified in Psychiatry and Child & Adolescent Psychiatry. Before joining OYCR, Dr. Arguello served as statewide Associate Medical Director at the California Department of State Hospitals, providing clinical direction and helping develop clinical program policy across the state hospital system. Earlier in his civil service career, he worked within the Division of Juvenile Justice, supervising psychiatrists and supporting the development and implementation of mental health policies and procedures. Dr. Arguello has contributed to the professional literature, including articles indexed in CNS Spectrums, and is a member of the American Osteopathic Association. He speaks English and Spanish.

Mason D. Harrell, III, MD, MPH, FACOEM, is a physician with advanced training in preventive medicine, occupational and environmental health, and aerospace medicine. He is triple board certified by the American Board of Preventive Medicine in Occupational Medicine, Public Health & General Preventive Medicine, and Aerospace Medicine. Dr. Harrell earned his medical degree from the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences and completed graduate training at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, including an occupational and environmental medicine residency and a research fellowship in environmental health. He has served as a U.S. Navy Flight Surgeon and has experience addressing health risks in operational settings. Dr. Harrell’s professional focus includes evaluating occupational and environmental exposures, fitness-for-duty and return-to-work assessments, and advising on workplace and public health risk. He also contributes to physician education as a preceptor, supporting clinicians in residency training. In addition to clinical and advisory work, he has held medical leadership roles, including serving as Chief Medical Officer at WorkCare, Inc., and he co-founded Sequoia Port, Inc., a health technology company aimed at improving medical record review and organization. Dr. Harrell is also involved in nonprofit work supporting research and treatment development for rare genetic conditions.

Edward Russell Utz, MD, is a physician specializing in Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery (ENT), with clinical focus in head and neck surgery. He practices in San Diego, California, and has served in academic and hospital-based settings, including the Department of Otolaryngology at Naval Medical Center San Diego. Dr. Utz attended Cornell University for his undergraduate education and earned his medical degree from the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences in Maryland. He completed residency training in San Diego, developing broad expertise in the medical and surgical management of conditions affecting the ears, nose, throat, and head and neck. He is board certified by the American Board of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery. Before and alongside his medical career, Dr. Utz built a long professional background in the U.S. Navy, including earlier work as a nuclear engineer on fast-attack submarines. His Navy service also included tours in San Diego, Hawaii, and Japan, and he ultimately retired after a full career in military medicine. Dr. Utz is known for bringing disciplined, mission-focused experience to patient care and for emphasizing clear communication, thorough evaluation, and thoughtful surgical decision-making.

Danielle M. Barnes, MD, is a pediatrician and pediatric gastroenterologist serving at Naval Medical Center San Diego. A Lieutenant Commander in the U.S. Navy Medical Corps, she provides specialized care in Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition, with a clinical focus on complex gastrointestinal and nutritional disorders in children. Dr. Barnes completed her medical degree at Florida State University after graduating magna cum laude from the University of Florida. She then trained in pediatrics at Penn State University and pursued advanced fellowship training in Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition at Stanford University. In addition to her clinical responsibilities, Dr. Barnes is an Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences. Her scholarly interests include fecal microbiota transplantation and microbiota changes in gastrointestinal disease, as well as short bowel (short gut) syndrome. She has contributed to peer-reviewed work on topics such as monitoring pediatric inflammatory bowel disease, donor considerations for fecal microbiota transplant, and probiotic applications in pediatric gastrointestinal conditions. Dr. Barnes also supports quality improvement efforts, including initiatives to optimize fecal microbiota transplantation protocols and accelerated infliximab approaches for pediatric inflammatory bowel disease.