Medical Personnel

At Weathington, we understand the intricate details of medical malpractice cases demand a team with diverse expertise. In addition to our dedicated full-time staff, we have a roster of experienced contract professionals, including nurses, doctors, physician assistants (PAs), and more. This unique blend of talent allows us to comprehensively analyze and litigate medical malpractice cases, ensuring our clients receive the high-quality representation they deserve. By working closely with this select group of medical professionals, we strengthen our ability to navigate the complexities of medical malpractice cases and vigorously defend our clients’ interests. We are committed to delivering the highest quality of legal representation, backed by the collective expertise of our dedicated team.


Nursing Staff

Rebecca W. Dowd, R.N.

RDowd@weathington.com

Rebecca W. Dowd, R.N., an Atlanta native, joined the firm in 2006. Rebecca attended the Medical College of Georgia and graduated Magna Cum Laude in 1982. Her clinical nursing experience began in the Surgical Intensive Care Unit at Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta where she cared for and managed high-risk patients following open-heart surgery, vascular surgery, trauma, and general surgery. In 1985 Rebecca began working in the Surgical ICU at Emory University Hospital in the role of charge nurse and preceptor. She was involved in the creation and development of the Liver Transplant program in 1987. Rebecca received her Master of Nursing from the Nell Hodgson School of Nursing at Emory University in 1989. That year she accepted the position of Liver Transplant Coordinator at Emory University Hospital. In that role she managed and cared for patients with end-stage liver disease throughout the phases of transplantation, including evaluation, education, surgery, and post-operative outpatient follow up. She continued in the role of Liver Transplant Coordinator until 1996, when she took the position of Legal Nurse Consultant at the Atlanta firm of Allen, Weathington & Reeves.

Rebecca has authored journal articles and book chapters on the subjects of abdominal trauma, acute pancreatitis, liver disease, liver transplant, and pancreatic transplant. She has been an invited speaker at local and national conferences on the subjects of acute abdomen, liver disease, and liver transplant.


Deborah Sullivan, R.N.

dsullivan@weathington.com

Deborah “Debbie” Sullivan, R.N. brings 32 years of experience as a Legal Nurse Consultant to Weathington. Debbie rejoined the firm in January 2020, after leaving Emory University Hospital where she was employed as a Clinical Risk Manager. She previously worked for Paul Weathington’s firm in the 1990’s.

The majority of Debbie’s nursing experience was spent as a critical care nurse in surgical intensive care units in Alabama, Florida and Georgia. She left the actual practice of nursing in 1988 following a co-worker into the emerging field of legal nurse consulting in Georgia after completing the Lawyer’s Assistant Program with Honors from The National Center for Paralegal Training. Although her passion and commitment is to the defense of medical malpractice actions, Debbie has worked both sides of the legal process. Her experience with the Plaintiff’s side has brought her better insight and understanding of the analysis and evaluation of cases prior to a suit being filed.

Debbie received an Associate of Arts Degree followed by a Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing from the University of South Florida in Tampa where she grew up. She remains a fierce and loyal Tampa Bay Buccaneers fan.