(Memphis, TN/March 11, 2010) On March 26, the University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law, in partnership with the law firm of Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz, PC, will present the symposium, "Health Law and Public Policy: An Introduction to America's Trillion Dollar Business." The event will bring together nationally recognized leaders in the health care field to share their unique insight into an industry facing significant changes with far-reaching implications.
"Seldom has the issue of health care been so prevalent a topic in our nation's conversation," says Richard G. Cowart, chairman of Baker Donelson's Health Law and Public Policy Department. "For this event we are bringing together speakers of national renown who have an in-depth understanding of the many issues at play in the rapidly shifting health care landscape."
St. Jude senior vice president and general counsel Clinton D. Hermes, a member of the symposium planning committee and moderator of the event, notes that the program will feature an impressive slate of speakers. "We're proud that we have been able to assemble a stellar group of people who are truly thought leaders in the field of health care law. These participants bring a tremendous amount of knowledge and experience that will lend a valuable perspective on this complicated topic," says Mr. Hermes.
Among the featured speakers are health care executives including David Archer, president and CEO of Saint Francis Healthcare; Dr. Steven J. Bares, president and executive director of the Memphis Bioworks Foundation; Dr. William E. Evans, director and CEO of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital; Stephen C. Reynolds, president and CEO of Baptist Memorial Health Care Corporation; and Gary Shorb, president and CEO of Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare.
Leading health law attorneys will also participate including Richard Cowart, Past President of the American Health Law Association (AHLA); Bruce Merlin Fried, past director of the Center for Health Plans and Providers at the Health Care Financing Administration (now the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services); Thomas K. Hyatt, Chair Emeritus and faculty member of the AHLA's annual seminar, "Tax Issues in Healthcare Organizations"; Michael W. Peregrine, who is noted for his role as a member of the Legal Framework Work Group of the Panel on the Nonprofit Sector, convened to advise the Senate Finance Committee on federal oversight legislation for nonprofit organizations; and Buckner Wellford, leader of Baker Donelson's Health Care Litigation group.
Among the topics to be covered at the symposium are the health care system as an ecosystem in transition; the life cycle of biomedical research; the role of health care in economic development; an overview of health information management, electronic records and e-discovery; and perspectives on health care reform. The program will close with a leadership panel discussion featuring Mr. Archer, Dr. Evans, Mr. Reynolds and Mr. Shorb.
This is the second major academic event at the new, state-of-the-art downtown location of the University of Memphis Law School in just two months. According to Kevin Smith, Dean and Thomas B. Preston Professor of Law at the University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law, hosting a major health law and public policy event is part of the University's commitment to furthering the city's reputation as a national player in the industry. "As home to leading health care systems, medical device manufacturers, an emerging bioscience hub and other health-related organizations, Memphis is an epicenter of activity in the health care field, and the University of Memphis and its law school are committed to adding our resources to the city's significant talent and knowledge in this area. Our goal is to become an intellectual center in health law and public policy, and this symposium is a first step toward that goal."
The symposium will be held from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law at One North Front Street in downtown Memphis. The event is approved for 6.25 hours of continuing legal education credit for Tennessee and 6.3 hours of continuing legal education credit for Alabama and Mississippi.