You should not. Indeed, you cannot -- not properly, not without risking charges of bias. Your attachment to your friend and your position on the hospital's board create -- or may seem to create -- divided loyalties. You should recuse yourself from this task, explain to the patient's mother why you are doing so, and refer her to a disinterested physician with the expertise to review the records and advise her how best to proceed.

UPDATE: J.R. met with the family but did not offer a medical opinion, explaining that the records provided insufficient information for him to do so. He said he believed that they would not be satisfied unless the matter were investigated further and so suggested they speak to a lawyer who would have a neutral expert review the case.

(Readers can direct their questions and comments by e-mail to ethicist@nytimes.com. This column originates in The New York Times Magazine.)