Patricia T. Meador Leadership Award Eligibility Requirements

Eligibility Requirements 

Established by the Fraud and Abuse Practice Group in tribute to their distinguished colleague and AHLA Fellow, the late Patrica T. Meador.  This Award is given annually in special recognition of Ms. Meador's many years of outstanding contribution and exemplary leadership to the national health law bar. 

+Patricia T. Meador Leadership Award Recipients

Nomination Criteria 

• Shows a high level of commitment to fraud and compliance education within AHLA’s Fraud and Abuse Practice Group 
• Actively mentors AHLA members who focus on fraud and compliance 
• Maintains commitment to fraud and compliance activities and efforts have made a positive impact on AHLA members 
• Advocates innovative approaches to ensure the highest level of fraud and compliance education 

Nomination Process  

This award requires nomination by an AHLA member; self-nominations are not accepted. Members are encouraged to identify and nominate colleagues who exemplify extraordinary commitment and dedication to fraud and compliance educational efforts and mentoring. Members currently serving on the AHLA Board of Directors are not eligible for consideration. 

Nominations are accepted year-round. The Review Period occurs in July each year. Nominations submitted during the Review Period will automatically be considered for the following year's award cycle. 

+Patricia T. Meador Leadership Award (nominations close June 30 for 2025 cycle) – Nominate Here

Selection Process 

A dedicated judging panel evaluates all submissions using a scoring rubric based on the established criteria. Panel members commit to thoroughly reviewing applications, participating in virtual consensus meetings, and maintaining objectivity by disclosing any potential conflicts of interest. This structured review process ensures consistent and fair assessment of each candidate's contributions to both AHLA and the health law profession.  An individual appointed to serve on the judging panel is not eligible to be considered for the Award while they serve on the panel. To ensure focused attention, members may serve on only one judging panel at a time. The recipient is honored during the Association’s Fraud and Compliance Forum in October. 

About Patricia T. Meador 

Patricia T. Meador was nationally recognized as a leader in health law and was a partner at K&L Gates. Patricia received her B.S.N. summa cum laude at Vanderbilt University, magna cum laude from the Brandeis School of Law at the University of Louisville and earned an M.P.H. from the University of North Carolina. 

She served as medical center legal counsel for Duke University and was a partner at Bass Berry and Sims in Nashville, TN. A member of the Bar Association in both North Carolina and Tennessee, Patricia represented a broad spectrum of health care clients, with a focus on health care regulatory, compliance and operational issues. She advised hospitals and health systems, academic medical centers, financial institutions, pharmaceutical companies, specialty physician groups, and other ancillary health care providers. 

Patricia served as Chair and Vice Chair of AHLA’s Academic Medical Centers Practice Group and was selected as a Fellow of the American Health Law Association in 2007. She was named to the North Carolina Super Lawyers, and was listed as a Best Lawyer in America, Health Care Law, and among the Top 50 Women in Health Care Law.