The Medical Opinion Marketplace

Karen R. Sanchez Staedler, PsyD, is a psychologist and board-certified music therapist who integrates clinical psychology with the therapeutic use of music to support mental health and overall well-being. She is the president and founder of The Pacific Resiliency Center for Psychology, Wellness, and the Arts in Stockton, California, where she helps shape services that bring together psychological care and arts-based approaches. Dr. Sanchez Staedler earned her Doctor of Psychology in Clinical Psychology from Capella University and holds a dual MBA in Entrepreneurship and Health Care Management from Jones International University. She completed her Bachelor of Music in Music Therapy, with a minor in Speech and Language Pathology, at the University of the Pacific. Her professional background includes developing music therapy programs across educational, mental health, and medical settings, serving children and adults with disabilities and illnesses. She previously founded In Harmony Music Therapy Services and led clinical services and program development. Dr. Sanchez Staedler has contributed to professional organizations through leadership roles within the Western Region Chapter of the American Music Therapy Association and service with psychology graduate training initiatives. She has also presented at regional and statewide conferences and offers evaluation experience that includes clinical and forensic contexts. She is fluent in English and has limited working proficiency in Spanish.

Don D. Smallie, DC, is a chiropractor in Stockton, California, with decades of clinical experience caring for patients with spine- and musculoskeletal-related concerns. He earned his Doctor of Chiropractic degree from Palmer College of Chiropractic in Davenport, Iowa, and later completed postgraduate training in chiropractic orthopedics at Palmer College of Chiropractic West. Dr. Smallie is the owner and practicing chiropractor at Smallie Chiropractic, Inc., where he has built a long-standing community practice focused on evidence-informed, patient-centered care. In addition to comprehensive chiropractic evaluation and treatment, Dr. Smallie holds a diplomate designation through the Acupuncture Society of America, reflecting added training that may complement conservative care plans. He also serves as a California Qualified Medical Examiner, supporting workers’ compensation evaluations when appropriate. Dr. Smallie has contributed to the professional literature as a co-author in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics and remains committed to community service, including donating care on a recurring basis at a local clinic serving underserved individuals. He provides care in English.

Dr. Gary L. Cavanaugh is a psychiatrist specializing in the evaluation and treatment of mental health conditions across adulthood. He earned his medical degree from the University of Iowa Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine and completed internship training in a transitional year program at HCA HealthONE / Presbyterian-St Luke’s Medical Center. Dr. Cavanaugh pursued psychiatry residency training through programs at the University of Colorado and the University of Iowa Health Care Medical Center. He is board certified in Psychiatry by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology and holds medical licensure in California, with prior licensure history in Iowa. In addition to clinical practice, Dr. Cavanaugh has contributed to the psychiatric literature as a co-author of peer-reviewed publications, including work examining lithium in the treatment of depression and clinical observations related to venlafaxine. He has also been listed in provider materials associated with St. Joseph’s Medical Center Stockton. Dr. Cavanaugh brings a longstanding commitment to evidence-informed psychiatric care, integrating careful assessment with individualized treatment planning to support patients’ mental wellness and functioning.

Kyle Wayne Herbold, M.D., is a board-certified dermatologist providing comprehensive medical and procedural dermatology care. He earned his medical degree from Yale School of Medicine and completed an internal medicine internship at Duke University Medical Center, followed by dermatology residency training at Emory University School of Medicine/Emory Healthcare. Dr. Herbold is a Fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology and maintains active medical licensure in California. Dr. Herbold evaluates and treats a wide range of skin, hair, and nail conditions, with an emphasis on evidence-based care and clear patient education. He partners with patients to develop practical treatment plans tailored to individual goals, preferences, and overall health. His background includes scholarly contributions to dermatology, including co-authorship of peer-reviewed research on epidermal melanocytes. Committed to accessible, patient-centered care, Dr. Herbold communicates in both English and Spanish and strives to create a welcoming environment where patients feel informed and supported throughout diagnosis, treatment, and ongoing skin health maintenance.

Dr. Kevin Mikaelian is an orthopaedic surgery physician who provides comprehensive musculoskeletal care, with a clinical focus on knee and joint conditions. His work commonly includes evaluating and treating degenerative joint disease and injuries, and he is known for performing joint-replacement procedures such as total and partial knee replacement when appropriate. Dr. Mikaelian earned his medical degree from the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA and completed orthopaedic surgery residency training at Stanford University School of Medicine. He is affiliated with local hospitals including Dameron Hospital and Saint Joseph’s Medical Center in Stockton, supporting continuity of care across outpatient evaluation, surgical treatment, and postoperative recovery. In addition to his clinical practice, Dr. Mikaelian has been identified by Dameron Hospital as leading its Rapid Strides Accelerated Recovery Knee Replacement Program, reflecting an emphasis on coordinated perioperative care and streamlined rehabilitation. He is fluent in English and Spanish, helping him communicate clearly with a diverse patient population. Dr. Mikaelian is committed to patient-centered decision-making, offering individualized treatment plans that balance conservative options with surgical solutions when needed.

Dr. Roozbeh Ahmadi, MD, is a Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation physician with a clinical focus in Pain Medicine, including interventional approaches to help patients manage acute and chronic pain. He is dedicated to improving function and quality of life for individuals affected by musculoskeletal and spine-related conditions through comprehensive, non-surgical care plans tailored to each patient’s goals. Dr. Ahmadi earned his medical degree from Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine. He completed internship training at San Joaquin General Hospital, followed by residency training at Cleveland Clinic Foundation in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. He further advanced his expertise with fellowship training at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. Board certified in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Dr. Ahmadi emphasizes careful evaluation, clear communication, and evidence-based treatment. His practice integrates rehabilitation principles with pain-focused strategies, coordinating conservative therapies and, when appropriate, image-guided interventional options as part of a multidisciplinary approach. He speaks English and Persian (Farsi), supporting clear, patient-centered conversations for a diverse community.

Dr. Saviour Achilike is a neurologist with subspecialty focus in epilepsy neurology (epileptology). He is board certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology (ABPN) and provides comprehensive evaluation and management of neurologic conditions, with particular expertise in seizure disorders and related care. Dr. Achilike completed residency training in neurology at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth Houston) and pursued fellowship training there in epilepsy, building advanced skills in diagnosing complex seizure presentations and optimizing individualized treatment plans. His clinical approach emphasizes careful assessment, evidence-based therapies, and clear communication to support patients and families through long-term neurologic care. Dr. Achilike is affiliated with CHRISTUS Santa Rosa Hospital and has practiced within multisite neurology organizations, including CarePoint/Blue Sky Neurology. He works collaboratively with referring clinicians and multidisciplinary teams to coordinate testing, treatment, and follow-up, with the goal of improving function, safety, and quality of life for people living with neurologic disease.

Jeffrey D. Scott, MD, is a Pain Medicine physician with a background in Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation. With over 22 years of clinical experience, Dr. Scott focuses on evaluating and treating pain conditions with an emphasis on restoring function and improving quality of life. He brings a comprehensive, rehabilitation-oriented perspective to pain care, tailoring treatment plans to each patient’s goals, medical history, and day-to-day demands. Dr. Scott earned his medical degree from Southern Illinois University School of Medicine. His postgraduate training includes Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation through the University of Arizona College of Medicine, with additional training listed at Eastern Virginia Medical School and psychiatry included among his residency training entries. This broad foundation supports an approach that considers both physical and behavioral factors that can influence pain. Dr. Scott is listed as affiliated with Carondelet Holy Cross Hospital & Health Center and Banner – University Medical Center Phoenix and Banner – University Medical Center Tucson. He provides care in California and is also listed with a practice location in Phoenix, Arizona. Dr. Scott communicates with patients in English.

Otashe Golden, M.D., is a Family Medicine physician and Medical Director at Modesto Post Acute Center in Modesto, California. She provides clinical leadership and medical oversight in post-acute and skilled nursing settings, partnering with interdisciplinary teams to support safe transitions of care, patient-centered treatment plans, and high-quality outcomes for medically complex individuals. Dr. Golden earned her medical degree from Albany Medical College and completed residency training in Family Medicine through Sutter Health in Sacramento. She is board certified in Family Medicine by the American Board of Family Medicine and holds additional board certification in Hospice and Palliative Medicine. With a practice grounded in comprehensive primary care principles and continuity across care settings, Dr. Golden focuses on caring for patients with chronic illness, functional decline, and serious health conditions that benefit from coordinated post-acute management. Her approach emphasizes clear communication with patients and families, thoughtful medication and symptom management, and alignment of care with each patient’s goals and preferences.

Lyle Andersen, PT, is a California-licensed physical therapist with extensive experience in outpatient rehabilitation and workplace injury management. He earned his bachelor’s degree in Physical Therapy from Loma Linda University and has built a career focused on helping patients safely recover function and return to daily and work activities. Mr. Andersen has held longstanding leadership roles in the field, including service as Director of Physical Therapy for a Modesto hospital association before transitioning fully into private practice. He later became a co-owner of Andersen and Baim Physical Therapy, supporting the growth and evolution of the practice into what is now Andersen Physical Therapy. Clinically, Mr. Andersen specializes in occupational injury and injury prevention. His work includes functional capacity evaluations, pre-work testing, and on-site ergonomic evaluation programs designed to reduce risk, improve job readiness, and support safe, sustainable return-to-work outcomes. He is also a Certified Work Capacity Evaluator, reflecting advanced training in objective assessment of work-related capabilities. Mr. Andersen is known for a practical, performance-based approach that aligns rehabilitation goals with each patient’s functional needs and job demands.