IDEA Champion Award Recipients

Congratulations to the recipient of the 2025 AHLA IDEA Champion Award: David E. Matyas 

David is a member of Epstein Becker Green and serves on its Board of Directors and has long been recognized as a powerful and principled advocate for diversity and inclusion. Throughout his notable career—focused on defending the nation's health care providers in government investigations, audits, and fraud-related claims—he has paired professional excellence with a steadfast commitment to building stronger, more inclusive institutions. He also advises emerging health care companies and private equity investors, bringing deep regulatory insight to the industry's rapidly evolving landscape. 

Within AHLA, David has played a transformative role. He has championed diversity as a strategic priority and helped elevate IDEA to the highest levels of organizational decision-making. His early and unwavering belief that inclusion strengthens both individuals and institutions guided AHLA's journey toward embedding IDEA principles throughout its culture and operations. 

David's leadership on AHLA's Diversity Council laid essential groundwork for what has become the Association's comprehensive IDEA framework. His forward-looking approach helped AHLA recognize the need for sustainable, structural support for diversity and inclusion—support that has since grown into impactful, enduring initiatives. Because of his vision, programs that began as targeted efforts have matured into a holistic approach that now influences everything from governance to member engagement. 

His influence can be seen in AHLA's ongoing work to build a more inclusive profession: unconscious bias training for the Board and leadership, open and intentional conversations on IDEA topics, the creation of online affinity groups in AHLA's community platform, and expanded opportunities for diverse members to connect, share experiences, and build meaningful professional support networks. 

A graduate of the University of Texas School of Law, David is also a respected speaker and author on health care fraud, compliance, M&A, and other complex legal issues. His selection as the 2025 IDEA Champion Award recipient reflects not only his individual accomplishments but also his lasting impact on the health law community's collective progress toward greater inclusion, equity, and accessibility. 

All Recipients

*denotes deceased