The Medical Opinion Marketplace

Ajay Bhatia, MD, is a physician specializing in Psychosomatic Medicine, with clinical expertise at the intersection of mental health and complex medical illness. He completed residency training in Psychiatry at Ohio State University Hospital, developing a strong foundation in diagnostic evaluation, evidence-based treatment planning, and collaborative care across inpatient and outpatient settings. Dr. Bhatia’s work in psychosomatic medicine focuses on supporting patients whose psychiatric symptoms are influenced by medical conditions and treatments, and on helping medical teams address behavioral health needs that affect recovery and quality of life. In addition to his clinical practice, Dr. Bhatia has been recognized for excellence in clinical teaching, earning an Outstanding Clinical Faculty Award in Specialty Medicine from Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine. His scholarly contributions include co-authoring a peer-reviewed publication indexed in PubMed. Earlier in his career, public records indicate he practiced in a mental health center serving uninsured patients, reflecting a commitment to accessible, patient-centered care. He is licensed to practice medicine in Ohio.

David A. Crawford, MD, is an orthopaedic surgeon specializing in adult hip and knee reconstruction, with a focus on advanced joint replacement techniques. His clinical interests include minimally invasive anterior hip replacement, partial knee replacement, hip resurfacing, and complex revision hip and knee arthroplasty. With more than a decade of experience, he is committed to helping patients reduce pain, restore mobility, and return to the activities that matter most. Dr. Crawford completed his medical degree at The Ohio State University College of Medicine and Public Health and went on to complete an orthopaedic surgery residency at Madigan Army Medical Center. He pursued additional subspecialty training through a fellowship in adult reconstruction at Joint Implant Surgeons Inc. He is board certified in orthopaedic surgery. Dr. Crawford served as an orthopaedic surgeon in the United States Army, including deployment in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, and held leadership responsibilities as an orthopaedic clinic chief. He also supports innovation and evidence-based care through leadership roles in orthopedic research and fellowship education. He is affiliated with Dublin Methodist Hospital.

Marc Cooperman, MD, is a surgeon in Ohio with a focus in general surgery. He serves as Medical Center Director for the VA Central Ohio Health Care System, providing leadership focused on delivering high-quality, veteran-centered care. Within the VA, Dr. Cooperman has held key clinical and administrative roles, including Chief of Specialty and Acute Care and Chief of Staff, reflecting broad experience across surgical services and health system operations. Dr. Cooperman earned his medical degree from Stanford University School of Medicine after completing his undergraduate education at Yale University. He completed a general surgery residency at The Ohio State University and subsequently served on the faculty at The Ohio State University College of Medicine. In addition to his academic and VA leadership work, he maintained a general surgery private practice for many years, bringing practical experience and continuity of care to his clinical perspective. Dr. Cooperman has contributed to the surgical literature with more than 60 authored or co-authored publications, supporting ongoing improvement in surgical practice and outcomes.

Michael Lefkowitz, M.D., is an orthopaedic surgeon providing comprehensive musculoskeletal care with a clinical focus on general orthopedics and joint replacement. He earned his medical degree from the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine and completed residency training in orthopaedic surgery at Ohio State University Hospital. Dr. Lefkowitz evaluates and treats a broad range of bone, joint, and soft-tissue conditions affecting mobility and quality of life. His practice commonly includes the diagnosis and management of degenerative joint disease, injuries, and other orthopaedic concerns, with an emphasis on helping patients return to function through evidence-based care. When appropriate, he offers surgical options, including joint replacement, and partners with patients to determine the most effective plan based on their goals, overall health, and activity level. Known for a straightforward, patient-centered approach, Dr. Lefkowitz prioritizes clear communication, shared decision-making, and coordinated care. He is licensed to practice in Ohio.

Keith Hollingsworth, MD, is a sports medicine physician specializing in orthopaedic surgery. Board certified by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery, Dr. Hollingsworth focuses on the evaluation and treatment of sports-related conditions, with particular emphasis on knee and shoulder injuries. His clinical interests also include orthopedic sports medicine and hand surgery. Dr. Hollingsworth completed his undergraduate education at Denison University and earned his medical degree from The Ohio State University College of Medicine. He went on to complete orthopaedic surgery residency training at the University of California, San Francisco, followed by a sports medicine fellowship at the University of Oregon. He brings a strong background in caring for athletes and active individuals, including experience as a team physician for University of Oregon Ducks football and basketball and ongoing service as a team physician for multiple area high schools. Dr. Hollingsworth is also associated with Lancaster Specialty Surgery Center, where his work includes arthroscopic surgery and sports medicine care, and he has held a leadership role with the center. He is a member of several professional organizations, including the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, the Ohio Orthopedic Society, the Ohio State Medical Association, the Fairfield County Medical Society, and the Columbus Orthopedic Society.

Dr. Brian Higgins is a Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation physician who specializes in restoring function and reducing pain through comprehensive, non-surgical care. He is associated with Buckeye Spine and Rehab Inc. in Lancaster, Ohio, where he evaluates and treats a wide range of musculoskeletal and spine-related conditions, as well as pain concerns that can limit daily activities, work, and athletic performance. His clinical interests are commonly described within pain medicine and non-surgical sports medicine, with an emphasis on helping patients return to movement safely and efficiently. Dr. Higgins earned his Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree from Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine and completed residency training in Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation at East Carolina University. He is board certified in Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation and holds a Certificate of Added Qualifications in Pain Medicine through an osteopathic board pathway. In addition to his outpatient practice, Dr. Higgins is affiliated with Fairfield Medical Center and has also been listed with affiliations to Hocking Valley Community Hospital and Sheltering Arms Hospital Foundation, supporting coordinated care across settings focused on rehabilitation, function, and long-term recovery.

Amish Patel, DO, MPH, is a pain medicine physician specializing in comprehensive, patient-centered care for acute and chronic pain conditions, with a focus on spine-related pain and interventional approaches. He is board certified by the American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation in Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation and has also been recognized as board-certified in pain management. Dr. Patel completed an osteopathic internship at St. Vincent Mercy Medical Center, residency training in pain management at the Medical University of Ohio, and advanced fellowship training in spine and interventional care at the University of Pennsylvania Hospital. He also earned a Master of Science in Public Health through the University of Toledo. Dr. Patel’s approach emphasizes relieving pain while minimizing reliance on medications, particularly narcotics, and developing individualized treatment plans that align with each patient’s goals and daily activities. He treats patients beginning at age 17 and welcomes individuals with workers’ compensation-related injuries. When appropriate, he coordinates care and facilitates referrals to other specialists, including orthopedics, neurosurgery, and rehabilitation services. Dr. Patel serves as Medical Director of Memorial Hospital’s Pain Management Center and is affiliated with Memorial Hospital and Mary Rutan Hospital. Telehealth visits are available.

Edward Westerheide, MD, is an orthopaedic surgeon who provides comprehensive musculoskeletal care with a focus on restoring function and relieving pain. His clinical interests include hand surgery, shoulder surgery, and hip and knee reconstructive surgery, offering both nonoperative and surgical options tailored to each patient’s goals and lifestyle. Dr. Westerheide earned his medical degree from The Ohio State University College of Medicine and completed residency training in orthopaedic surgery at Henry Ford Hospital. He is board certified in Orthopaedic Surgery by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery and is a member of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Committed to evidence-based practice and continued learning, Dr. Westerheide has contributed to the orthopaedic literature, including peer-reviewed work in The Journal of Hand Surgery on imaging and evaluation of finger extensor mechanism injuries. He practices with Orthopedic Specialists & Sports Medicine, Inc. and is affiliated with Licking Memorial Hospital, collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to support safe care, thorough education, and durable outcomes for patients with acute injuries, degenerative conditions, and complex joint or upper-extremity problems.

Denee R. Choice, MD, is a Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation physician with board certification in Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation and Pain Medicine. She focuses on musculoskeletal care and comprehensive pain management, emphasizing rehabilitation-based strategies that support function and help reduce reliance on opioids for chronic pain. Dr. Choice earned a bachelor’s degree in Physical Therapy from The Ohio State University and completed her Doctor of Medicine training at the Medical College of Ohio (Toledo). She completed residency training in Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation at University Hosp, Inc., and further expanded her integrative skill set with medical acupuncture training through the UCLA School of Medicine. She also holds an MMM (Master of Medical Management) degree. In addition to clinical expertise, Dr. Choice has a strong background in healthcare leadership. She serves as Vice President and Senior Medical Director at American Specialty Health, where she provides oversight for rehabilitation-services clinical quality evaluation and contributes to musculoskeletal and pain-related content development and training. Previously, she served as a Medical Director of Pain Management within the U.S. Veterans Affairs system, helping develop multidisciplinary pain teams and complementary and integrative services, with contributions to opioid safety initiatives. She has also served as a Clinical Assistant Professor at the Ohio University College of Medicine and is recognized as a member of the Alpha Omega Alpha National Medical Honor Society.

Mujeeb Ranginwala, MD, is a board-certified rheumatology physician providing comprehensive evaluation and treatment for patients with inflammatory and autoimmune rheumatic diseases. He earned his medical degree at Dow University of Health Sciences (Dow Medical College) and completed advanced fellowship training in rheumatology at Rush University Medical Center. With decades of clinical experience, Dr. Ranginwala is known for a thoughtful, evidence-based approach that emphasizes accurate diagnosis, individualized treatment planning, and long-term disease management. Dr. Ranginwala cares for a broad range of rheumatologic conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, scleroderma, and related autoimmune disorders. He works closely with patients to address symptoms such as joint pain, stiffness, swelling, fatigue, and systemic complications that can affect overall health and daily function. His care often includes medication management, monitoring of disease activity, and coordination with primary care clinicians and other specialists when needed. Dr. Ranginwala is committed to helping patients understand their condition and options, supporting informed decisions and sustained quality of life.