Introduction
Heather is an officer in Fredrikson & Byron’s Health Care and Corporate Groups. Her practice focuses on issues relating to regulatory compliance, criminal and civil fraud investigations, physician-hospital relationships, mergers and acquisitions, corporate governance, and negotiation of commercial contracts.
Prior to joining Fredrikson & Byron, Heather was assistant general counsel for Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield, providing advice and support related to provider relations and health management, contracts and the Special Investigations Unit. Previously, she was a partner at a national law firm. Heather is also a registered nurse. She practices out of Fredrikson & Byron’s Des Moines, Iowa office.
Education
- Drake University Law School, J.D., with highest honors, 2001
- Grand View College, B.S., 1996
Bar Admissions
- Iowa
Practice Areas
Representative Experience
- Acquisition of metropolitan hospital for health system client
- Acquisition of large, single-specialty physician practice group for hospital client
- Acquisition and disposition of several long-term care facilities, including transactions involving like-kind exchanges
- Conducted and coordinated internal investigations relating to alleged regulatory violations
- Development of hospital compliance programs
- Regulatory advice and counseling concerning establishment of physician-hospital relationships, including joint ventures, co-management agreements and clinic integrations
- Development of HIPAA compliance programs
- Birchansky Real Estate, L.C. v. Iowa Department of Public Health, State Facilities Council, 737 N.W.2d 134 (Iowa 2007) (case interpreting Iowa Certificate of Need Statute)
Selected Publications & Presentations
- “Antitrust Review: Recent Developments in Health Care,” Iowa Society of Healthcare Attorneys Annual Meeting, May 2012
- “Meaningful Use: Stage 2 Overview,” Iowa Hospital Association Webinar, April 2012
- “Regulatory Changes for Therapy Services and Fraud Review,” Iowa Health Care Association and Iowa Center for Assisted Living Spring Education Conference, March 2012
- “Meaningful Use: Stage 2 Overview,” Telligen Webinar, March 2012
- “Health Care Reform,” Iowa Hospital Association Annual Meeting, October 2010
- “Meaningful Use Overview,” Prairie Health Ventures Executive Leadership Retreat, July 2010
- “Meaningful Use,” Iowa Medical Group Manager Association Meeting, April 2010
- “Anti-Mark-Up and Stark: Is Your Facility in Compliance?” Iowa Hospital Association Annual Meeting, October 2009
- “The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009: Changes to HIPPA, Incentives for the Adoption of Electronic Health Records and Whistleblower Provisions,” Iowa Hospital Association Audio Conference, March 2009
- “Stark Law Update,” Iowa Hospital Association Annual Meeting, October 2008
Professional Activities
- President Iowa Society of Healthcare Attorneys (May 2012 – present)
- Chair, Iowa State Bar Association (ISBA) Health Law Section (June 2007 – 2009)
- Member, American Bar Association
- Member, Polk County Bar Association
- Member, Iowa Society of Healthcare Attorneys Executive Committee
- Member, American Health Lawyers Association
Honors & Distinctions
- Order of the Coif
- Graduate, Greater Des Moines Leadership Institute Class of 2006 – 2007
- Member, Sigma Theta Tau, Honor Society of Nursing
Community Involvement
- Member, Board of Directors, House of Mercy