K&L Gates Health Care Fraud Group Hosts Inaugural Southeastern Health Care Fraud Symposium

Together with Fisk University, Meharry Medical College, and ACC Tennessee, the K&L Gates Health Care Fraud group recently hosted the inaugural Southeastern Health Care Fraud Symposium in Nashville, Tennessee.

The Symposium began with a panel discussion hosted at the firm’s Nashville office. 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; and general counsels and chief compliance officers from some of the nation’s largest hospitals and health care systems. The discussion was well-attended by in-house counsels and compliance team members from a variety of significant health care companies in the southeast, and several government attorneys and agents.

At the second event, held at the historic Jubilee Hall at Fisk University, Michael Granston spoke to students pursuing careers in health care on pressing health care 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. The event also included addresses from Fisk’s Provost, Dr. Robert Carr, Jr., and several K&L Gates lawyers.

Lastly, the firm co-sponsored a community health and wellness expo at Fisk University for underserved communities in Nashville. 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. Several K&L Gates lawyers volunteered and helped organize the event, where more than 200 community members received information and services.

“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 health care 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 health care 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 health care 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."