Dr. Herschel Lessin has been a full-time practicing Pediatrician since 1982 and has served as an expert witness in Pediatric malpractice litigation since 1987, working for both plaintiff and defense. Trained at Stanford and Yale, Dr. Lessin has experience in case review as well as both deposition and trial testimony. He a founding member and medical director of one of the largest Pediatric practices in the United States, The Children's Medical Group, PLLC. His daily practice includes children from birth through college age. Dr. Lessin has had broad media experience, hosting medical spots on both radio and TV. He is a member of the Child Health Focus faculty of the health information portal, Healthology.com, where he authors articles and appears in streaming video webcasts. In addition, he authors a biweekly column for a regional newspaper. He appears on regional radio providing parenting advice 10 times monthly as well as appearing on live call in programs concerning Pediatric care. Dr. Lessin provides honest and accurate expert case review with rapid turn around time, as well as poised and competent testimony at both deposition and trial. He is willing to travel if necessary.

In addition to his Pediatric expertise, Dr. Lessin has extensive experience and involvement in all aspects of Managed Care. He was a founder, and for 12 years, was Chairman of a 2000 physician IPA that contracts with Managed Care organizations and covers over 150,000 lives. He is a Certified Managed Care Executive throughAmerica's Health Insurance Plans, the Managed care trade organization. He currently serves on the Boards of Directors of several managed care companies.

EDUCATION

1995-96 CMCE (Certified Managed Care Executive). Graduate of year-long Executive Leadership Program of the American Association of Health Plans. Via mentoring, site visits, didactic sessions and hands on experience, the CMCE isimmersed and trained in the cutting edge of managed care.

1980-82 Yale-New Haven Hospital, New Haven, CT
Resident, Pediatrics

1979-80 Yale-New Haven Hospital, New Haven, CT
Intern, Pediatrics

1975-79 Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA
Doctor of Medicine

1971-75 Union College, Schenectady, NY
Bachelor of Science--Summa Cum Laude


PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

2004- Director of Clinical Research, The Children’s Medical Group, PLLC. Responsible for over-seeing all clinical research activities at the group, supervising study co-ordinators and staff, interfacing with study sponsors.

2000- Medical Director, The Children’s Medical Group, PLLC. Responsible for developing Quality Improvement processes and clinical protocols. Also conducts audits and supervises in-house CME for phyicians and other clinical staff.

1997- The Children's Medical Group, PLLC. A founding partner of this large group practice that resulted from the merger of Pediatric and Adolescent Associates (est. 1932) and the Hudson Valley Pediatric Group (est. 1954). Through planned growth and expansion, the group now has 19 pediatricians and 1 pediatric nurse practitioner, providing care for nearly 38,000 children in six Hudson Valley offices, with 2 additional offices in the planning stages. The group sees almost 115,000 patient visits per year and is one of the
largest single specialty Pediatric groups in the USA.

1988-2000 Chairman, Board of Directors, Taconic Independent Practice Association. TIPA contracts with managed care organizations to provide physician services to the contracted plan’s subscribers. With over 2000 physician members, TIPA is one of the largest IPA’s in the United States and provides care for over 150,000 patients.

1982-1997 Hudson Valley Pediatric Group, PC, Poughkeepsie, NY. Served as partner and Vice-President of this six physician, one physician asssistant, and one urse practioner private Pediatric practice. In addition to patient care, management responsibilities included billing, coding, HMO negotiation, cooperative bulk vaccine buying program, and financial and statistical analysis of the practice.

MEMBERSHIPS

2002, 2004 Re-certified Pediatric Advanced Life Support

2001 Re-certified as a Diplomate of the American Board of Pediatrics (voluntary)

2000, 2004 Re-certified as a Certified Managed Care Executive, American Association of
Health Plans

1997- National Association of Medical Communicators

1994-2000 American College of Physician Executives

1996 Certified Managed Care Executive, America’s Health Insurance Plans (AHIP)

1994- Section of Administration and Practice Management, American Academy of Pediatrics

1987- Section of Pediatric Dermatology, American Academy of Pediatrics

1986- Taconic Independent Practice Association

1984- Diplomate, American Board of Pediatrics

1984- Fellow, American Academy of Pediatrics

1983- Medical Society of the State of New York

1983- Dutchess County Medical Society

1982-1989 Mid-Hudson Pediatric Society

1979-1984 Junior Fellow, American Academy of Pediatrics

1974- Phi Beta Kappa, Union College, Schenectady, NY

APPOINTMENTS

2004- Director of Clinical Research, Children’s Medical Group, PLLC.

2004- Member, Clinical Specialists Advisory Board, MedImmune, Inc. The board
advises the company on clinical aspects of their pharmaceutical products.

2003- 2005 Chairman, Nominating Committee, Section on Administration and Practice
Management, American Academy of Pediatrics.

2003- Process Improvement Committee, Department of Pediatrics,
Vassar Brothers Hospital, Poughkeepsie, NY.

2002- Member, Peer Review Committee, Taconic IPA. The committee reviews
medical quality issues and complaints involving IPA physicians.

2001-2002 Member, Professional Relations/Medical Management Committee, Taconic
IPA. The committee oversees communication and relationships with member
physicians as well as reviews and makes recommendations about medical
utilization management within the IPA.

2001- Board of Directors, MVP Health Plan, a NYS Article 44 company which,
with its subsidiary corporations operates a diverse array of health insurance
products including HMO, PPO, EPO,POS and indemnity. The company has over 10,000 participating physicians in 5 states, over 500,000 covered lives and over $1.1 billion in annual premium revenue.

2000-2005 Medical Director, The Children’s Medical Group, PLLC.

1999- Board of Directors, MVP Health Insurance Company, a NYS Article 42 company which provides health care via a Preferred Provider Network of physicians in PPO, EPO and indemnity products.

1999 Honorary Chairperson, Vassar Brothers Hospital Mothers’ Club, Festival of Trees: an annual fundraising event raising money to benefit the Maternal/Child
Health units of the hospital.

1998-2000 Attending Physician, St. Francis Hospital Family Practice Residency Program. Responsible for inpatient and outpatient teaching of Pediatrics to residents, both clinical and didactic.

1997- Vice-president and member Executive Committee, Children’s Medical Group, PLLC. I am involved in all executive decisions and strategic planning for the group.

1997- Attending Pediatrician, St. Francis Hospital, Poughkeepsie, NY

1995-2001 Media spokesman for the “Adopt an Angel” fund raising campaign, Make-a- Wish Foundation, Hudson Valley Chapter. Make-a-Wish is a non-profit group that grants wishes for terminally ill children. This campaign raises nearly the entire wish granting budget for the chapter. I record TV commercials as well as news media interviews on behalf of the organization.

1995-1998 Board of Directors, MVP Corporate Care. The board provided policy and planning for the corporation’s offering of Worker’s Compensation Case Management services and Occupational Health services to employers.

1995- Vice-Chairman, MVP Select Care Board of Directors--provides policy and planning for corporation’s offering of third party administration services to self- funded employer groups in New York State and Vermont.

1994-1998 Associate Medical Director, MVP Health Plan--responsible for IPA development, physician recruiting and liaison, and public relations.

1994-2000 Board of Directors, American Cancer Society, Hudson Valley Unit.

1993 Member, Global Budgeting Grant Writing Committee. At the request of the NYS DOH, local hospital officials and physicians formed a group to prepare a grant proposal to the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation requesting funding for a study of the feasibility of Global Budgeting of all health care services in Dutchess County. This was the first proposal of its type in New York State that included physician and other out-patient services within the budget. The committee drafted a grant application that forged consensus among its disparate members and interests in designing a plan to meet the needs of a rapidly changing health care environment. Funding of $1,000,000 per year was sought from the Foundation, New York State, and other sources.

1993- Certified, Pediatric Advanced Life Support, American Heart Association.

1993 Strategic Service Unit on Managed Care, Mid-Hudson Medical Center-involved in
planning the future of the new medical center vis-a-vis its’ relationship to and involvement in managed care systems.

1993- Board of Directors, MVP Health Services Corporation--provides policy and planning for the offering of point of service HMO and indemnity products to employers in its NYS service area and the entire state of Vermont.

1992-1993 Board of Directors, March of Dimes, Mid Hudson region--responsible for planning and execution of fund raisers, service projects, and distribution of funds. Guest speaker at “Baby and You” educational seminars offered to area employer groups.

1991 Attendee, NYS Department of Health Immunization Retreat. I was one of six private pediatricians invited to attend a two day retreat with state officials to examine immunization policy in reference to the state supplying free vaccine to
physician offices throughout the state in order to improve immunization rates.

1990-1995 Member, PPAC Advisory Committee to New York State Medicaid Program. Advised in the design and implementation of the Preferred Physician and Children’s Program (PPAC). This PPO program, implemented statewide on October 1, 1990, revised the fee structure and coding requirements for the NYS Medicaid program in order to involve more quality physicians and to insure
indigent children access to private practice care in the state.

1989 Community Publications Committee, American Academy of Pediatrics, District II, Chapter 3, New York. Served as a liaison between the Academy and local media with the goal of disseminating information relevant to the health care of children.

1989 Board of Trustees, St. George’s School, Poughkeepsie, NY.

1989 Chairman, Committee on Practice, American Academy of Pediatrics, District II, Chapter 3, New York.

1988-2000 Chairman, Taconic Independent Practice Association. TIPA is a group of over 1800 physicians that contracts with HMOs to deliver health care services to their insured members. As of 2002, we served over 130,000 patients. As chairman,I coordinated all IPA activities, sat on several major committees, and chaired the IPA Board of Directors.

1987-1988 Executive Committee, American Academy of Pediatrics, District II, Chapter 3, New York.

1987-1988 Secretary, Taconic Independent Practice Association.

1986-2000 Founding member, Board of Directors, Taconic Independent Practice Association.

1986-1987 Executive Committee, Dutchess County Medical Society.

1985-1987 Director, Special Care Nursery, Vassar Brothers Hospital.

1984-1986 President, Mid-Hudson Pediatric Society.

1982-1984 Vice-President, Mid-Hudson Pediatric Society.

1982-1984 Education Director, Department of Pediatrics, Vassar Brothers Hospital.

1982- Attending Physician, Vassar Brothers Hospital.

LICENSURE

1984-1995 Massachusetts

1982- New York

1981-1982 Connecticut

PROFESSIONAL INTERESTS

General Pediatrics

Asthma/Allergy

Behavioral Pediatrics

Pediatric Dermatology

Health Care Finance and Politics

Practice Management
Clinical Research

Managed Care

Medical Liability Issues

Patient Education via the Media and Internet

PUBLICATIONS

2001 “School Problems” in Primary Care Pediatics, Carol Green-Hernandez,
Joanne K. Singleton, and Daniel Z. Aronzon, eds. Lippincott, Philadelphia,

2001 “Acute Dermatologic Complaints”, with Sharma, P., in Primary Care Pediatrics, Carol Green-Hernandez, Joanne K. Singleton, and Daniel Z. Aronzon, eds. Lippincott, Phildadelphia.

CLINICAL RESEARCH

2005 Attendee, Good Clinical Practices for the Clinical Research Professional.
Sponsored by the Drug Information Association.

2005- Member, Drug Information Association (DIA)

2005 Completed Human Participant Protection Education for Research Teams
sponsored by the National Institutes of Health (NIH)

Partial Listing of Sponsors and CROs worked with: Novartis, MedImmune, GlaxoSmithKline, Nestle, Roche, PPD, ICON, Scirex, Proctor and Gamble, AztraZeneca, and McNeil

2005- Principal Investigator, Effects of Prebiotics in Infant Formula on Fecal Microbiota,
A Randomized, Controlled, and Double-Blind Clinical Trial of Two Groups using an
Investigational Starter Formula containing Prebiotics to Infants using a
Commercially Available Product, with a Breast Fed Reference Group.

2005- Principal Investigator, a Randomized, Controlled, and Double-Blind Clinical
Trial of Two Groups Comparing Weight and Other Anthropometric Measures,
Tolerance, and Frequency of Morbidity in Infants Using an Investigational Infant
Starter Formula Containing Synbiotics to Infants Using a Commercially Available
Product.

2004, 2005 Principal Investigator, “FluStar”, an epidemiological influenza surveillance study sponsored by Roche Laboratories.

2004-2005 Principal Investigator, an Investigation of an Enhanced Potency Humanized Respiratory
Syncytial Virus (RSV) Monoclonal Antibody, for the Prophylaxis of Serious RSV
Disease in High-Risk Children, a Phase III study.

2004-2005 Principal Investigator, a Prospective, Double-blind, Randomized Trial to
Demonstrate Equivalent Immunogenicity of an Investigational Product and FluMist in
Healthy Participants Ages 5 through 49 Years, a Phase III study.

2004-2005 Principal Investigator, a 1 Year, Randomized, Double blind, Parallel-group, Placebo-
controlled, Multicenter Evaluation of Efficacy, Safety, Pharmacokinetics and
Pharmacodynamics of an Injectible Product in Children (6 - <12 years) with Moderate-
Severe, Persistent, Inadequately Controlled Allergic Asthma, a Phase III study.

2004- Principal Investigator, an Investigation of the Safety and Efficacy of a Topical
Immunomodulator in Atopic Disease Modification, Assessed in a 3-Year
Randomized, Double-Blind, Vehicle-Controlled Study to Evaluate the Effects of
Atopic Dermatitis in Infants, and a 2-3 Year Open-Label Phase to Evaluate the
Effect of Early Intervention versus Delayed Intervention with Product on the
Incidence of Asthma in Children, a Phase IV study.

2004, 2005 Principle Investigator, “RSV Alert” (Respiratory Syncytial Virus), an epidemiologic study sponsored by MedImmune Corporation.

2003-2004 Investigator, a Randomized, Double-Blind Trial of Prophylactic Iron to Prevent Iron
Deficiency and Elevated Lead Levels in Children during the Second Year of Life, a
Pilot Study.

2003 Principal Investigator, Determine Rates of Seroconversion Following Varicella
Vaccination of Asthmatic Children Between the Ages of One and Eight Years Treated
with Pulmicort Respules versus Non-Steroidal Conventional Asthma Therapy, a Non-
Blinded, Non-Randomized, Multi-Site Phase IV study.

2003-2004 Principal Investigator, a Randomized, Double-blind, Double Dummy,
Placebo-Controlled, Parallel Group, Multi-Center Clinical Trial of Four Weeks
Treatment with an Inhalation Aerosol, 25 micrograms BID and Placebo
Administered via a Valved Holding Chamber with Facemask in Subjects with
Asthma Age 6 to 23 Months, a Phase IV study.

2003 Principal Investigator, Observation of Treatment versus Treatment, A Multicenter,
Randomized, Parellel-Group Study Evaluating Treatment Outcomes of an Approved
Stimulant Treatment and an approved Non-Stimulant Treatment in Children with
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, a Phase IV study.

PRESENTATIONS

2005 “Win-Win Collaboration in Pediatrics” Presented with Joseph Heavey, MHA
& Adil Ameer at the Heath Strategists Istitute Conference on Hospital-Physician
Relations, October 12, 2005.

2005 “Strength in Numbers: Thriving Pediatric Practices Share Their Experiences
and Their Tips.” Presented with Dr. Charles Scott at The American
Academy of Pediatrics Super CME program, April 15, 2005, Orlando Florida.

2005 “Omigod I’m Being Sued!!-Practical Tips on How to Reduce Your Risk and
How to Respond If and When it Happens to You.” Presented at The American
Academy of Pediatrics Super CME program, April 14, 2005, Orlando Florida.

2004 “Implementing ADHD Practice Guidelines: A Practical System for the Busy
Pediatric Office’. Presented to the Section on Administration and Practice
Management, American Academy of Pediatrics, National Conference,
October 9. 2004.

2004 “Emergency Treatment of Asthma in Children”, presented to the Dept. of
Emergency Medicine, Vassar Brothers Medical Center, Poughkeepsie, NY
June 17, 2004.

2003 “Hot Topics in Pediatrics” Panel discussion moderator. Presented to the Section on Administration and Practice Management, American Academy of Pediatrics,National Conference, November 1, 2003.

2003 “Implementing Asthma Guidelines: A Practical System for the Busy
Pediatric Office’. Presented to the Section on Administration and
Practice Management, American Academy of Pediatrics, National Conference,
November 1, 2003.

2003 “Practical Asthma-Physiologic Basis of Treatment”. Presented for the regional
chapter of the Americal Lung Association Educational meeting for nurses.

2003 “Treatment of ADHD in the Busy Pediatric Office”. Presented to groups of
physicians in our region. Sponsored by Novartis Speakers Bureau.

2003 “Be Your Own Expert Witness”. Presented to the annual meeting of the
Dutchess County Medical Society”, October 29, 2003.

2002- “Applying Asthma Treatment Guidelines in an Office Setting”. Presented to
groups of physicians in our region. Sponsored by GlaxosmithKline Speakers
Bureau and Sepracor Speakers Bureau.

2000 “Pneumococcal Vaccination in an Era of Bacterial Resistance”. Presented to
groups of physicians in our region. Sponsored by Wyeth Speakers Bureau.

OTHER ACTIVITIES

2003 Medical Mission Volunteer, Honduras. Travelled with my son to provide free
medical care to the Mayan Chorti tribe in the villages near the Copan ruins on
Guatemala border.

2002 Medical Mission Volunteer, Jamaica. Provided free Pediatric care to several
small villages in rural Jamaica.

2002 Medical Mission Volunteer, Constanza, Dominican Republic. Provided free Pediatric care to this small village in the mountains of the Dominican Republic.

2001- Editorial Director, Healthology.com. Responsible for defining the scope and
content of the Pediatric section of the website. Review all content and update
same. Provide input and direction for development of the section on the site.

2000- Columnist, “Pediatrician On Call”, Poughkeepsie Journal. A biweekly
column answering common pediatric questions.

2000 Medical Mission Volunteer, Honduras. Travelled with my daughter to a small
jungle village on the North Coast as part of a volunteer medical/dental team
providing free care.

1999 Medical Mission Volunteer, Republic of Vietnam. Provided free Pediatric care to
indigent patients at Long Dat Medical Clinic and Ham Tan Medical Center, two
small rural clinics located 100 and 200km respectively outside of Ho Chi Minh
City. Met with Consulate General of the United States to help procure support
for further medical mission work.

1999 Medical Mission Volunteer, Constanza, Dominican Republic.Provided freePediatric care to this small village in the central mountains of the DominicanRepublic.

1999-2000 Child Health Focus Editor, Healthology, com. Healthology is an internet start- up company devoted to providing medical information content delivered to the general public and distributed to other web-sites, portals, and publications. I am responsible for the development and maintenance of the Children’s Health area of the site, recruiting faculty and reviewing submitted articles.

1999- Contributor, Children’s Health Focus, Healthology.com. I provide content posted on the web site and also participate in live streaming “webcasts”, which are panel discussions with physicians on a topic of interest that are later archived for future download. In addition, I act as moderator for webcasts involving physician of various specialties in both adult and pediatric medicine.

1998- Responsible for planning, design, and maintenance for the web site for The Children’s Medical Group, www.childrensmedgroup.com.

1998-1999 Host of “The Medical Minute” segment for RNN-TV (Regional News Network).This segment is an informational look at medical topics of general interest.

1996-1997 Host of “Kids Korner” segment for RNN-TV Morning Show. Appeared several times monthly live on the morning news talk show to speak about various pediatric topics and to respond to live phone calls.

1996 Keynote Speaker and Honoree, Annual “Breakfast of Champions”, Tobacco Free Action Coalition.

1995- Member, International Jugglers Association. I use juggling in my pediatric practice to entertain and distract my young patients. I also use these skills, when appropriate, in my speaking engagements, as well as my group
appearances at trade shows.

1994- Member, Tobacco Free Action Coalition. Active in smoking cessation programs for children and adults. I do public service radio announcements and make personal appearances at area schools on behalf of the organization.

1993- Guest speaker, Health Care Reform and IPA Formation. I speak to physicians and medical organizations on managed care and IPA activities.

1990 Panel Member, Poughkeepsie Journal panel on Parenting. I took phone calls and authored an article for a special section of the newspaper on Parenting.

1990- Author and Host of “Kidstuff”, a parenting program on local radio. The show is aired 10
times monthly. Each day a topic of interest to parents is discussed. The main focus is on
practical parenting advice in all areas of Pediatrics, both medical and behavioral. In
addition, I periodically appear as a guest on hour long call-in shows which feature live
questions and answers about Pediatric issues.

1982- Frequent lecturer at area schools and community groups on topics of interest
to parents. This service is provided at no cost through The Children’s Medical Group and Vassar Brothers Hospital Speakers Bureau.

**Last updated December 15, 2005