Case review and expert testimony related to the care of hospitalized children.
As a board-certified pediatric hospitalist practicing since 2012, I provide expert assessment of standard-of-care, causation and damages related to the medical care of acutely ill newborns and children. Inquiries from both plaintiff and defense counsel welcome.
- Board Certification
- Pediatric Hospital Medicine, American Board of Pediatrics
- Clinical experience
- Inpatient pediatrics, Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital, 2012–present
- Peer review experience
- Chair, Pediatric Medical Staff Performance Committee, 2021–2023
- Research
- Over a decade of experience in clinical and translational research. 50+ peer-reviewed publications
Areas of expertise
Clinical care of hospitalized children (non-ICU), infants in the newborn nurseries, and children in the Emergency Department requiring pediatrics consultation.
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Acute illness
Recognition and treatment of serious medical conditions including sepsis, respiratory failure, elevated intracranial pressure, demyelenating conditions and other acute illnesses. Issues requiring review may also include timing and details of evaluation and treatment and timing of escalation and transfer to higher level of care.
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Rare conditions
Timely diagnosis and treatment of less common conditions including Kawasaki disease, IgA vasculopathy, SMA syndrome, Lemierre's disease, infatile botulism, and others.
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Febrile infants
Evaluation for serious bacterial infection, testing, empiric treatment and disposition.
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Fluids, electrolytes and dehydration
Dehydration, hyponatremia, hypernatremia, hypovolemic shock and related complications.
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Newborns
Hyperbilirubinemia, hypoglycemia, neonatal sepsis and nursery discharge.
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Medication safety
Weight-based dosing, medication interaction, and medication adverse events in hospitalized children.
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Discharge and follow-up
Readiness for discharge, return precautions and communication with primary care providers.
Qualifications
Active clinical practice, experience with institutional peer review, and two decades of quantitative research.
Full curriculum vitae (PDF)Clinical
- Pediatric Hospitalist, Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital (Corewell Health), 2012–present
- Board certified in Pediatric Hospital Medicine, American Board of Pediatrics
- Current Pediatric Advanced Life Support and Neonatal Resuscitation Program
- Pediatric residency, Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital / Michigan State University, 2009–2012
Quality and oversight
- Chair, Pediatric Medical Staff Performance Committee, Corewell Health, 2021–2023
- Chair, Institutional Review Board, 2022–2023
- Moderator, AAP Pediatric Hospital Medicine LISTSERV, 2021–2023
Academic
- Clinical Assistant Professor, Pediatrics and Human Development, Michigan State University, 2015–present
- Research Scientist, DeVos Cardiovascular Research Program, Spectrum Health and Van Andel Institute, 2015–2022
Education
- MD, Michigan State University, 2006 · Alpha Omega Alpha
- MS, Epidemiology, Michigan State University, 2000
- BA, Philosophy, with honors, Calvin College, 1997 · National Merit Scholar
Selected publications
- Hadley A, Kort E, Torres W. Updates in pediatric sepsis. The Hospitalist, 2023.
- Rajasekaran S, Kort E, et al. Red cell transfusions as an independent risk for mortality in critically ill children. J Intensive Care, 2016.
- Shankar R, et al., Kort EJ, et al. Gene expression signatures identify paediatric patients with multiple organ dysfunction who require advanced life support. EBioMedicine, 2020.
- Gupta R, et al., Kort EJ, et al. Transcriptomic analysis of acute and recovery phase of viral bronchiolitis. Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol, 2021.
- Kort EJ. Patent ductus arteriosus in the preterm infant: an update on mortality and morbidity. Current Pediatric Reviews, 2016.
Engagement
- Conflict checks
- Inquiries answered within 24–48 hours.
- Preliminary review
- Informal record review and verbal discussion of merit on request, generally within 7 days of receiving records.
- Written opinions
- Affidavits of merit or meritorious defense, and expert reports, on request.
- Testimony
- Deposition and trial testimony, in person or remote.
Fee schedule and retainer terms on request. Based in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
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Discuss a matter
Conflict-check inquiries are answered within 24–48 hours. Please do not send records or protected health information until a conflict check is complete.