Meet the 2025 Class of AHLA Fellows

The American Health Law Association (AHLA) is pleased to announce the appointment of three distinguished individuals as AHLA Fellows for 2025.

The AHLA Fellows Program has grown to be a collection of the Association's most talented and illustrious members. Fellows have distinguished themselves in their health law practice or work in the health law community; health law expertise, knowledge, and skills; and through their service and contributions to AHLA. The number of AHLA Fellows selected each year varies; selection by the AHLA Board of Directors is an honor and recognition of outstanding service and commitment.

"With extensive experience spanning over three decades in the health law field, these individuals have showcased exemplary leadership and made significant contributions to AHLA's mission," said David S. Cade, Chief Executive Officer of AHLA. "Their expertise and commitment to excellence make them invaluable additions to the AHLA Fellows program. We extend our heartfelt congratulations to the 2025 Class of AHLA Fellows and look forward to their continued contributions to the advancement of health law."

The 2025 Class of AHLA Fellows comprises the following individuals who have demonstrated remarkable dedication to the Association and the health law community:

Gregory E. Demske

Gregory E. Demske, partner in Goodwin Procter's Litigation and Health Care practices in Washington, DC, brings extensive expertise in health law enforcement and compliance. Prior to joining Goodwin, Greg served for 32 years as an attorney at HHS OIG, including ten years as Chief Counsel to the Inspector General from 2012-2022. Throughout his distinguished career, Greg led all of OIG's civil and administrative enforcement efforts, coordinated with the Department of Justice on False Claims Act cases, and provided interpretation of the Anti-Kickback Statute and guidance to the industry on compliance. An AHLA member since 2009, Greg served on the Board of Directors from 2017-2023, where he chaired the Membership-IDEA Committee that advanced the IDEA Action Plan focusing on communications, culture, volunteer/leadership pipeline, and community. His contributions to AHLA include decades of active education and speaking at in-person and virtual conferences, webinars, podcasts, and other forums.

Cynthia Y. Reisz

Cynthia Y. Reisz, member of Bass, Berry & Sims, is widely respected for her transactional and operational experience in health care. With a practice focusing on structuring acquisitions, joint ventures, and de novo development of facilities and health care services, Cindy advises clients across sectors including acute care and behavioral health systems, physician practices, and value-based care organizations. An AHLA member since 1995, Cindy served as AHLA President from 2021-2022, guiding the Association through the ongoing challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and contributing significantly to the development of AHLA's 2023-2025 Strategic Plan. She championed AHLA to be a positive contributor to the dialogue on racial and other inequities in health care and potential solutions. Her service includes roles as Vice Chair and Chair of the Physician Organizations Practice Group and Chair of the Planning Committee for the Physician Organizations Law Institute. Cindy is a frequent writer in AHLA publications and speaker at AHLA events.

Hal McCard

Hal McCard, Counsel with Spencer Fane, LLP in Nashville, TN, brings over three decades of legal experience designing and implementing legal solutions for health systems, hospitals, physician group practices, and ancillary/allied health care providers. Throughout his career, Hal has served as General Counsel to not-for-profit, private equity-backed, and publicly traded health systems, providing strategic legal advice to their Boards and management. He has led legal teams through major health system mergers and acquisitions and complex state and federal regulatory compliance challenges including fraud and abuse, licensing and contracting, physician relations, and transactions. An AHLA member since 1989, Hal served as Chair of the Hospitals and Health Systems Practice Group from 2012-2015 and on the Board of Directors from 2016-2022. As a Board member, he chaired the Practice Groups and Special Councils Committee, focusing on streamlining the structure for content-generating groups and providing online tools for leaders. Hal is an educator, author, and frequent speaker at AHLA's in-person conferences.

On behalf of AHLA leaders, members, and staff, we honor the dedicated support these individuals have offered the health law community over their extensive careers. To see a full list of current and past AHLA Fellows, please see AHLA's website.