Impact Story: Kristen Dagher

Utilizing AHLA Educational Resources in Everyday Legal Work

In 2022, Kristen embarked on an enriching journey as an AHLA extern, contributing to significant projects including the 2023 Cumulative Supplement to the Fifth Edition of Legal Issues in Health Care Fraud and Abuse. This externship stands out in Kristen's journey as a deeply valued experience, on she feels truly fortunate to have had. 

I grew up in a family full of health professionals and spent the first part of my life in and out of the hospital. As a pre-med student, I shadowed physicians and volunteered in clinics. After a bad experience in a physics class, I decided my talents would be better served in the legal field. Before attending law school, I obtained a Master of Science in Health Care Delivery to solidify my understanding of the health care industry. In law school, I secured an internship at the school's equity lab and researched health disparities, worked on the Disability Law Project at Legal Services of Greater Miami, was involved in a Congressional campaign focusing on reproductive care, and worked as an extern with AHLA.

In addition to my externship, I work at a personal injury firm in Miami. I am unsure where my health law journey will take me, but I know that whatever I do will be a career of service focused on women’s health and health rights through advocacy, education, or lobbying. I believe genuine legal work can positively impact patient access to affordable, quality health care. I am particularly interested in shining a light on women’s health services. Women often experience delays in diagnoses, receive incorrect medication doses, and often experience fewer legal protections than men. In my career, I hope to be an advocate for women who desperately need health care services by influencing policy work and lobbying for reproductive health law. 

Before my externship, AHLA was a great source of up-to-date health law news and resources for health law information. I heavily utilized print resources for any work I did through research, academic writing, or personal interests. AHLA offers an incredible number of resources to members, which I continually reference for all my legal work, and is a constant source for current and updated health law information. In addition to the vast resources and offerings, everyone I've met at AHLA has been incredibly generous with their time and words of wisdom. Overall, AHLA has greatly contributed to my educational and networking opportunities, and I look forward to hearing new and exciting health law developments from the AHLA team.