Opinion ID: 2968392
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 7

Heading: Dr. Steven Storick’s Testimony

Text: At trial, the government offered testimony from Dr. Steven Storick (Dr. Storick), an anesthesiologist qualified as an expert in pain man- 8 UNITED STATES v. MCIVER agement. Based on his review of certain patient records, Dr. Storick concluded that the treatment of several of Appellant’s patients fell outside the parameters of legitimate medical practice. With respect to Shealy, for example, Dr. Storick testified that there was no legitimate reason to be prescribing combinations of opioids in such high doses based on the patient’s medical conditions. J.A. 527. Similarly, given Brown’s history of drug abuse, Storick testified that Appellant’s treatment went outside the course of legitimate medical practice, and was like pouring gasoline onto a fire. J.A. 523. As to Barnes, Dr. Storick stated that it was uncommon to treat fibromyalgia with the amount and type of medication Appellant prescribed. J.A. 533. Indeed, he testified that Appellant’s treatment of her was one of the worst cases [he had] seen and that it was way outside the course of legitimate medical treatment. J.A. 534. In response to questions about Ms. Knight, Dr. Storick testified that it was outside the legitimate practice of medicine for Appellant to prescribe high doses of opioids given her history of negative drug screens. J.A. 542-43. Dr. Storick was subjected to rigorous cross-examination regarding varying theories of pain management, and acknowledged differences in points of view as to appropriate levels of pain medication. J.A. 576-80. He was also challenged as to, and defended his opinions regarding, Appellant’s treatment of specific patients.