VOCATIONAL DIAGNOSTICS - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Life Care Planner and Director of Research / View Profile
Amber Allison, PhD, CLCP, is a licensed psychologist and certified life care planner.
She earned her Doctorate in Biological and Developmental Psychology from the University of New Orleans in 2013. She then completed a two-year post-doctoral internship at a private forensic psychology corporation. She became a licensed psychologist in Louisiana in 2016 and in Colorado in 2020.
Since becoming licensed, Amber has worked as a clinical therapist, researcher, and life care planner. In her clinical work in Louisana and Colorado, she focused on assessment and treatment of individuals dealing with a variety of physical and psychological problems, as the two are often interrelated. She also performed pre-employment psychological evaluations for individuals seeking employment with fire, police, safety and security agencies. Her research primarily focuses on psychological factors affecting chronic pain presentation. She has published research in peer-reviewed journals, presented research at conferences nation-wide, and authored several book chapters.
Amber has six years of experience as a Certified Life Care Planner (CLCP) and is a member of the International Association of Rehabilitation Professionals (IARP). She has been involved in the preparation of life care plans for adults and children who have experienced catastrophic injury, including brain injury, spinal cord injury, birth defects, chronic pain, and amputation. In addition to her life care planning role at VDI, she is responsible for researching and reading literature, statutory law, and case law pertaining to Life Care Planning and earning capacity evaluation methodology and topics to ensure VDI experts are knowledgeable about and utilizing the best practices and current standards of the field.
Areas of Expertise
»Earning Capacity Evaluation
Job Titles:
- Case Coordinator and Scheduling Liaison
Job Titles:
- Records Processing Specialist
Aubrey is the firm's CEO / Director. She is a vocational rehabilitation and life care planning expert. She testifies as an expert in cases involving both loss of earning capacity and life care planning nationwide. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC); a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC); a Certified Life Care Planner (CLCP); and a former Certified Guidance Counselor. She is past Co-Chair of the Forensic Section of the International Association of Rehabilitation Professionals (IARP) and past Forensic Representative to the IARP International Board of Directors. She is also a member of the American Board of Vocational Experts (ABVE).
Aubrey is bilingual in English and Spanish and conducts clinical interviews and administers vocational test batteries in both English and Spanish nationwide. Aubrey manages the company's staff of rehabilitation counselors, nurses and Life Care Planners, for all matters involving evaluation of earning capacity and life care planning for cases of personal injury (to include catastrophic injury), medical negligence/malpractice, pediatrics, birth injury, toxic torts, environmental injury, product liability, labor and employment, and family law/domestic relations.
Aubrey earned her Bachelor of Arts with a dual major in Psychology and Spanish from Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff, AZ. She then traveled throughout México and South America for a year before attending graduate school at The University of Wisconsin-Madison (UW). She graduated from UW with a Master of Science in Rehabilitation Psychology.
Prior to joining VDI in 2006, Aubrey was an adjunct Spanish faculty member at both Pima Community College in Tucson, AZ and Coconino Community College in Flagstaff, AZ. She was also employed as a high school counselor; rehabilitation counselor; and worked doing community mental health, primarily working with underserved populations.
Aubrey's husband has worked in education as a high school principal for over two decades and now for the Colorado Department of Education. Their free time is spent with their children and dogs typically in the outdoors, hiking, skiing, biking, and traveling.
Aubrey Corwin joined the firm in 2006 and became CEO/Director in 2018. She is a vocational rehabilitation and life care planning expert. Her professional background is varied and diverse. Prior to joining VDI, she was an adjunct Spanish faculty member at various community colleges. She was also employed as a high school counselor; rehabilitation counselor; therapist; and worked in community mental health and rehabilitation, primarily working with underserved populations to include people with disabilities and monolingual Spanish speakers.
Job Titles:
- Registered Nurse
- Legal Nurse Consultant / Medical Records Review
Cheryl Lock is a Registered Nurse licensed in Missouri. Cheryl spent many years in the emergency department of a level one trauma center before she decided to be a travel nurse. As a travel nurse she worked in several hospitals, mostly in Kansas City, where she integrated into a role as a mentor to new and incoming nurses. Cheryl has experience in all nursing aspects, disease processes, traumatic injuries, and the overall flow of hospital care. At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, Cheryl traveled to Texas and helped facilitate care to a community that had been overcome by sickness.
Following her clinical nursing career, Cheryl joined VDI. She is involved in personal injury and medical negligence cases where she is responsible for medical records review and coordination with the team in the development of Life Care Plans, earning capacity evaluations, and general case management.
Cheryl enjoys spending time with her husband, two sons, and family. Her favorite days consist of friends and family hanging out at her pool, smoke rolling from the smoker, and lots of laughter. Cheryl's husband is a regional sales manager for a wine and spirits company and she enjoys fine dining and travel that accompanies this type of career. After spending a lot of years working in the emergency department, Cheryl has learned many life lessons, the biggest being to never take your loved ones for granted. Life can change in the blink of an eye, embrace the little moments, and laughter can cure almost everything.
Areas of Expertise
»Medical Record Review
Eugenia graduated from the University of Nevada, Reno with multiple degrees including: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Economics, Master of Business Administration (MBA), and Bachelor of Science in International Business and Marketing.
With almost twenty years providing economic research and analysis, coupled with her academic experience, Eugenia has the expertise to collect and analyze large quantities of data and present findings in a clear and timely matter, helping clients understand and navigate even the most complex economic issues.
Eugenia is bilingual, fluent in English and Russian. In addition to her extensive academic experience, Eugenia is a member of the following professional organizations: National Association of Forensic Economics (NAFE) and American Academy of Economic and Financial Experts (AAEFE).
Eugenia is a former member of the Board of Directors of Nevada Women's Fund, a member of the Washoe County Manager's Advisory Council (CMAC), and Chair of the Washoe County Board of Equalization. Eugenia is an alumna of the Leadership Reno Sparks program, recipient of the 20 Under 40 Award, and former member of the Board of Directors of the Nevada Women's Fund.
Areas of Expertise
»Expert Witness Testimony
Job Titles:
- Life Care Planning Specialist / Testifying Expert / View Profile
Following a clinical nursing career in intensive care, cardiovascular intensive care, and heart transplant care, Gerrie entered the world of legal nurse consulting and nurse case management. This experience lead her to a related field - life care planning. Gerrie has been involved in life care planning for over 20 years. She has prepared life care plans for catastrophically injured adults and children with injuries that include spinal cord injury, brain injury, chronic pain, birth injuries, developmental delay, and amputation. She has worked on both plaintiff and defense cases nationwide and has testified as a life care planning expert at depositions and trials. Sharing her knowledge with others, Gerrie has assisted with mentoring nurses in life care planning and related areas and has presented to professional groups on the topic of life care planning.
A Certified Nurse Life Care Planner (C.N.L.C.P.) and a member of the American Association of Nurse Life Care Planners (AANLCP), Gerrie incorporates the nursing process into the development of life care plans. She serves on the peer review committee for the Journal of Nurse Life Care Planning. Collaborating with others in the field of life care planning, Gerrie is a member of the International Association of Rehabilitation Professionals (I.A.R.P.) and the International Academy of Life Care Planners.
Gerrie was among the first group in the country to obtain the credential of Legal Nurse Consultant Certified (L.N.C.C.) and is also a Certified Case Manager (C.C.M.). She has been a member of the American Association of Legal Nurse Consultants (AALNC) since 1992 and serves on the board of directors of the Phoenix Chapter of AALNC.
A Midwest transplant to Arizona, Gerrie enjoys spending time with her family and ever growing extended family. In her spare time, Gerrie volunteers in various nursing capacities.
Job Titles:
- Life Care Planning Specialist / Testifying Expert / View Profile
Following a clinical nursing career in family practice, Heidee stepped into the medical-legal field reviewing medical records for Shane Bennoch, MD in his independent medical evaluation practice in 2004. She later entered the related field of life care planning in 2008. With over 15 years of experience as a Certified Life Care Planner, Heidee has prepared life care plans for catastrophically injured adults and children with injuries that include spinal cord injury, brain injury, chronic pain, birth injuries, developmental delay, and amputation.
She has worked on both plaintiff and defense cases and has testified as a life care planning expert.
Heidee is a Certified Life Care Planner (CLCP) and a member of the International Association of Rehabilitation Professionals (IARP).
When she is not working, Heidee enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, hiking, and photography.
Areas of Expertise
»Medical Record Review
Job Titles:
- Registered Nurse
- Legal Nurse Consultant Specialist / Medical Records Review / View Profile
Kelly McMillan is a Registered Nurse licensed in Montana. She has a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing from Arizona State University and has been a Certified Legal Nurse Consultant since 2001. Kelly has over 20 years of nursing experience.
Kelly is an expert in neurological issues as a result of her extensive neurological and neurosurgical experience at Barrow Neurological Institute in Phoenix, an internationally renowned medical center for treatment of brain and spine conditions and diseases. In addition, Kelly has extensive home care experience that includes case management, telemedicine/ telehealth, management, risk management, and quality assurance.
Kelly is involved in many of VDI's personal injury cases and cases involving alleged medical negligence where she is responsible for reviewing medical records, addressing issues related to causation, standard of care, and apportionment in cases involving multiple, complex injuries. Kelly is an expert in medical record review and analysis.
As a Legal Nurse Consultant Specialist at VDI, her additional responsibilities include mentoring nursing professionals, delegation, and prioritizing work assignments. Kelly is also responsible for assistance with streamlining processes, procedures, and work product development.
Job Titles:
- Executive Assistant to the Director
Job Titles:
- Vocational and Life Care Planning Expert / View Profile
Michele Albers has been involved in the field of rehabilitation since 1995. She received a Master of Science in Rehabilitation Psychology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1997. Michele then worked as a vocational consultant in Phoenix, Arizona for six years. She moved back to the Madison area in August of 2003 and has worked with VDI since 2009. Michele is VDI's local presence for cases focused in Wisconsin, Minnesota, Illinois, Iowa and surrounding states. However, she also has an active caseload in multiple other venues nationwide, including Georgia, Nevada, Utah, California, and Arizona and has provided expert witness testimony in these venues as well.
Michele is a Licensed Professional Counselor, Certified Rehabilitation Counselor and Certified Life Care Planner. Her caseload is varied and includes litigated work in personal injury matters, catastrophic Life Care Planning, worker's compensation cases, family law hearings and employment litigation. She has also provided case management to individuals participating in the vocational rehabilitation process. Since July of 2004, Michele has held a contract with the Social Security Administration Office of Disability, Adjudication & Review and provides expert witness testimony in disability adjudication hearings on a monthly basis.
Michele maintains an active role in the International Association of Rehabilitation Professionals (IARP) and is currently serving as President of the IARP-WI Chapter. She guest lectures at the University of Wisconsin-Madison in the Rehabilitation Psychology & Special Education program, as well as Marquette University, in the Clinical Rehabilitation Psychology Master's degree program. She has also been involved in mentoring practicum students pursuing their master's degree at UW-Madison.
Job Titles:
- Accounts Receivable Specialist
Job Titles:
- Vocational Consultant and Research Specialist / View Profile
Paul Bourgeois, Ph.D., C.R.C., N.C.C. is a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor and National Certified Counselor.
Paul received a doctorate in rehabilitation counselor education at the University of Arizona. He earned a master's degree in rehabilitation counseling and bachelor's degree in rehabilitation and disability studies from Springfield College.
Paul has over a decade of experience as a professor, researcher, rehabilitation counselor, and vocational consultant. In addition to his work with Vocational Diagnostics Inc., Paul is a tenured associate professor at the University of New Haven in the Department of Psychology.
Paul is an active researcher with scholarly articles published in a variety of refereed journals. Paul is a frequent speaker to counseling, rehabilitation, and disability related groups and professional organizations.
Areas of Expertise
»Earning Capacity Evaluation
Job Titles:
- Registered Nurse
- Legal Nurse Consultant / Medical Records Review
Rachel Blankenship is a Registered Nurse licensed in Missouri. Rachel started her nursing career in the emergency department of a Level 1 Trauma Center while also working part time in their Burn ICU. Rachel also has experience in emergency travel nursing as well as med/surg nursing. At the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic, Rachel was a leader of one of the first Covid-19 units in Springfield, MO. From there, she bridged into a management role in administration where she managed regional patient logistics.
Following her clinical nursing career, Rachel joined VDI. She is involved in personal injury and medical negligence cases where she is responsible for medical records review and coordination within the team in the development of Life Care Plans, earning capacity evaluations, and general case management.
Rachel lives in Springfield with her husband and two children; the family loves spending as much time outdoors as possible.
Areas of Expertise
»Medical Record Review
Job Titles:
- Founder of Vocational Diagnostics, Inc
Robert H. Taylor is the founder of Vocational Diagnostics, Inc. Mr. Taylor is an internationally known and respected vocational rehabilitation and life care planning expert. With his knowledge of forensic economics, the third element of the "special damages triad," he understands how to develop and present the complete damages case in state, provincial and federal courts.
Since the company's inception in 1984, he has been retained by both plaintiff and defense attorneys as an expert or consultant in complex cases throughout the United States, Canada, and other countries. As the author of treatises and book chapters involving the role of a vocational and life care planning expert, colleagues, and attorneys alike frequently cite his works.
As a Past-President of the International Association of Rehabilitation Professionals (IARP), Mr. Taylor is highly respected by his colleagues as an industry leader. During his term as IARP President, he was instrumental in having the International Academy of Life Care Planners (IALCP) join IARP as a special interest section where it remains today.
A frequent speaker at national rehabilitation, life care planning, and forensic economic conferences, Mr. Taylor is called on by plaintiff and defense attorneys to provide guidance in evaluation of the damages aspect of a case. He is also called upon by colleagues for recommendations and guidance given his considerable experience and understanding of the role of a forensic rehabilitation expert.
As a former Commissioner of Life Care Planning for the International Commission on Health Care Certification (ICHCC), the entity that awards the Certified Life Care Planner (CLCP) credential, Mr. Taylor continues to demonstrate his commitment to the practice of life care planning and education of his peers.
Mr. Taylor's practice is focused on complex personal injury cases and cases involving claims of medical negligence. His personal practice in recent years has been focused in toxic tort cases, including, but not limited to claimed injuries arising from lead paint exposure and other environmental conditions such as groundwater contamination. He has been involved in numerous cases involving alleged construction defect and product liability. Mr. Taylor and his team of registered nurses and vocational rehabilitation experts also specialize in cases involving multiple plaintiffs. These cases have involved multiple limb amputations, traumatic brain and spinal cord injuries, birth injuries and other orthopedic and neurological injuries.
Mr. Taylor has given over 1,000 depositions and testified as a vocational rehabilitation and life care planning expert in over 100 jury trials.
While VDI continues to provide services across the U.S. and Canada, Mr. Taylor's primary practice is focused in the Rocky Mountain states, Nevada and California. He spends most of his personal time at his home in Prescott, AZ, as well as his part-time residence in Longmont, CO which allows him to be closer to his children and grandchildren.
Job Titles:
- Director of Operations and Business Development / Administration, Human Resources, Accounting, Business Development
- Director of Operations and Business Development / Shannon
is Vocational Diagnostic's Director of Operations and Business Development. She has been with the firm since October of 2012. She manages the company's day to day operations on every level, from administration, to personnel, to finances, to marketing. Shannon also regularly travels to conferences around the country - Colorado, Utah, Nevada, Illinois, Wyoming, Missouri, and beyond - as a representative of VDI and to build the firm's professional relationship with plaintiff and defense attorneys, paralegals, and other vendors in our field.
She graduated Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science in Business with an emphasis in Management. By utilizing the skills she has learned, she has expanded the company's reach exponentially, growing our business with each passing year. In addition to coordinating marketing efforts for annual conferences on behalf of other team members who will attend them, she also manages the administrative and billable staff across eight different states, acts as our IT liaison, writes policies and procedures, manages all aspects of HR, and helps design, select, and purchase VDI merchandise. She is also a crucial member of our firm's Executive Team.
Shannon calls sunny Phoenix, Arizona her home. During the spring and summer, she can often be found a little further north in Prescott at one of her grandson's baseball games. She loves spending time searching for hidden gems in the restaurant world in downtown Phoenix, and relaxing at home with her partner, John, and two cats, Sampson and Oliver - both female cats, she just likes to keep people guessing!