Courtesy of Fisk University
Fisk University recently hosted the inaugural Southeastern Health Care Fraud Symposium in Nashville, Tennessee from February 23-25, 2023. This Symposium is part of a collaborative partnership with Meharry Medical College, the HBCU Wellness Project at Meharry Medical College, K&L Gates LLP, and the Tennessee chapter of the Association of Corporate Counsel Tennessee,
The three-day Symposium provided education on the importance of healthcare compliance. The focus was explicitly around improving the health of the community at large.
The first day, began with multiple panel discussions that were hosted at the Nashville office of K&L Gates. Panelists included Michael Granston, Deputy Assistant Attorney General of the U.S. Department of Justice; Henry Leventis, U.S. Attorney of the Middle District of Tennessee; Sandra Hairston, U.S. Attorney of the Middle District of North Carolina; general counsels and chief compliance officers from local health care companies like Community Health Systems, HCA Healthcare, and Lifepoint Health; and members of the K&L Gates Health Care Fraud group. The panel discussions also included in-house counsels and compliance teams from significant healthcare companies in the southeast as well as federal attorneys and agents.
During the second day of the Symposium, held in historic Jubilee Hall at Fisk University, Michael Granston spoke to students pursuing careers in healthcare about the pressing healthcare fraud issues facing the industry. In addition, students had the opportunity to attend a panel discussion offering career advice, moderated by ScionHealth’s General Counsel. Panelists included Nashville hospital executives, Meharry compliance leaders, and K&L Gates associate Jianne McDonald.
On the final day, the partnership co-sponsored a community health and wellness expo at Fisk University for Nashville’s underserved communities. More than two dozen health care related vendors offered free dental screenings, dietary and nutritional advice, insurance coverage information, diapers, and suicide prevention resources. The expo also offered a mental health and well-being class. In addition, a food drive was held that provided fruits and vegetables to those in need. More than 200 community members received information and services.
According to Fisk Executive Vice President Jens Frederiksen, “this inspiring symposium reflects Fisk’s dedication to providing students with unprecedented experiences as well as the University’s commitment to the community. Many of our students are in healthcare fields and the opportunity to engage the most pressing issues really brings the classroom materials to life.”
“The Symposium was a special three-day event,” said K&L Gates Research Triangle Park and Nashville partner John Lawrence. “Having DOJ’s Michael Granston and two currently serving U.S. Attorneys speak on health care fraud issues was an opportunity for those in attendance to gain critical insights into the Government’s view of these issues. The Symposium also tremendously benefited from the participation and unique perspectives of leaders from some of Nashville’s—and the nation’s—largest healthcare companies. However, the partnership between Fisk, Meharry, the HBCU Wellness Project, the Tennessee Chapter of ACC, and K&L Gates transformed the event into one that was not just about legal scholarship and practice, but the fostering of meaningful and lasting community connections and fellowship.”
Lawrence added: “We strongly believe in the responsibility to be active and contributing participants in the ongoing effort to strengthen our communities. Engaging with some incredibly talented students at Fisk and Meharry, and working alongside dedicated healthcare providers serving underserved communities, are parts of this mission. We are deeply grateful to our Symposium partners for the opportunity to work alongside them. This was an event that we will not soon forget, and one that we hope will serve as a model for what these types of events can be in the future.”
“It was an honor to be one of the sponsors of this inaugural event in the company of K&L Gates, Fisk University, Meharry Medical College, and the HBCU Wellness Project,” said ACC Tennessee Board President Peter Malanchuk.” It was an incredible experience for our members to have the opportunity to both participate in excellent healthcare programming and engage in community outreach here in Nashville. Both Fisk and Meharry are institutions of high education that are tremendously important to Nashville and the fabric of our community. We look forward to continuing our support and helping to expand this program in the coming years.”
