From the time she began visiting her grandfather’s medical office, Tristan Bickman knew medicine was her path. “I always thought I wanted to be a pediatrician, but when I did my obstetrics and gynecology rotation, I fell in love,” Bickman said.
She was attracted by the many aspects of the practice from obstetrics and ultrasounds to surgery and hospital work. “Plus, I like working with women,” she said.
AALM: Tell us about your career in medicine and your OB/GYN practice.
TB: I have practiced for more than 26 years and seen a vast range of obstetrics and gynecological problems. Over the course of my career, I’ve performed more than 6,000 deliveries and seen tens of thousands of patients.
I am honored to be a part of someone’s medical journey, and when it comes to delivering babies, that means being a part of their life forever. It is a privilege I don’t take lightly.
AALM: What compelled you to start your own solo practice.
TB: I have had a solo OB/GYN practice for 24 years. I began with a group practice, but quickly realized I didn’t enjoy rotating patients. I wanted continuity—to take care of the patient for the full nine months and be there to do the delivery. I have a relationship with my patients and close contact. I believe that makes for better medical care. Nothing falls through the cracks because there is one person responsible for the patient—me.
AALM: Are there any cases in your expert witness work that have stood out as significant?
TB: Having worked as an expert for more than a decade, working on both sides of the aisle, I can say they all stand out for me. They’re all important to each party involved and I treat them the same and remember them the same because of that.
It is a privilege to be able to look at someone’s medical records and history. I take it very seriously and approach each matter with deep respect. I’m grateful that my role as an expert witness has given me another avenue to present my training and experience.
AALM: How would you describe your approach to your work as an expert witness? How do you think this separates you from other experts?
TB: I’m thorough and meticulous in my chart review and report writing as well as my testimony. I think what separates me from other experts is my vast experience. I’m still running a full practice—I’m actively seeing patients and performing surgeries and deliveries.
Additionally, I had the opportunity to train at some of the top institutions—UC Berkeley, UCLA and USC while doing my residency at Cedar Sinai Medical Center. As we know, there are many ways to perform the same procedure, something I saw firsthand in my training. I can appreciate these different approaches when looking at another physician’s work.
AALM: Over the course of your 25 years in OB/GYN practice, what are some of the biggest changes you’ve seen?
TB: I believe that patients are becoming more litigious—some rightfully so. My purpose is to make sure that positions get defended properly and that patients get treated properly.
