Health Medical

CHRISTAL E. EDWARDS, ESQ., MPH, MS

*** * ******, **, **** N307 • Washington, DC • 202-***-**** • ********.*******@*****.***

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Edwards Legal Group, LLC, Attorney, 7/08 – present

• Research and draft various pleadings and contracts in both civil and criminal matters, including personal injury, commercial/business litigation, EEOC, and medical malpractice cases

• Review and analyze health care regulations and compliance laws, including anti-kickback laws

• Evaluate and advise clients on government investigations/regulations, various healthcare matters,

including reimbursement and payment, medical staffing, and FDA regulatory issues

• Review and draft physician contracts, assist in payment issues and licensing requirements

• Interview and evaluate potential clients’ cases

• Make required court appearances including mediation proceedings

• Panel Attorney for the Prince George’s County & Baltimore City Public Defender’s Office

DHHS/Medicare Appeals Board, Attorney Advisor, 2/08 – 7/08

• Researched and analyzed Medicare Part A and B Hearings and Appeals request

• Drafted decisions regarding complex payment issues for Administrative Law Judges

American College of Surgeons, Senior Regulatory Associate, Washington, DC, 09/07 – 02/08

• Monitored and analyzed federal regulatory developments (Medicare, Medicaid, Stark)

• Developed overall regulatory strategy and new proposals for College’s advocacy agenda, including the AMA/Specialty Society Relative Value Scale Update Committee

• Prepared written materials and responses to inquiries about payment policies and other regulatory matters

CACI/Department of Justice, Contract Attorney, Washington, DC 1/07 – 9/07

• Reviewed case materials regarding Hurricane Katrina to become familiar with questions under consideration

• Participated in pre-trial witness conferences, researched and corrected possible deficiencies in case materials and performed large-scaled electronic document review (Concordance)

• Researched and summarized relevant material in preparation of opinions, briefs, and other legal documents, including testimonies and depositions

U.S. Senate Finance Committee, Legal Staffer, Washington, DC 1/06 – 12/06

• Researched and evaluated healthcare tax legislation and healthcare benefits proposed legislation, including HSAs, ERISA-covered insurance plans, and small business health insurance proposals

• Assisted in oversight and investigations of tax-exempt organizations, including hospitals

• Researched and analyzed the constitutionality of proposed line-item veto legislation

• Drafted briefing materials for the Senator and other staff members

• Served as one of the DC Coordinators for Senator Max Baucus’ Faith Community Impact Summit

• Completed CRS Legislative Process Institute 2006

• Served as Finance Committee Minority Whip during ‘lame duck’ session

Armstrong Teasdale LLP, Associate, St. Louis, MO 9/04 - 12/05

• Drafted various pleadings, affidavits, and letters to opposing counsel and clients

• Provided extensive research and file management on matters relating to healthcare laws, medical malpractice, ERISA, False Claims Act, EEOC, Medicare, Medicaid and products liability

• Assisted clients in preparing for Administrative Hearings relating to Medicare/Medicaid reimbursements

and Social Security Disability programs (SSDI & SSI)

• Prepared case file for trial, maintain witness and exhibit list, and electronic document review

• Published Article: Edwards, Christal & Felix, Diane. (2005). “Sexually abusive residents are Bane of Missouri Nursing Homes: Difficulty is in transferring, discharging patients.” Missouri Lawyers Weekly, September 19, 2005, 19 M.L.W. 897

Judge Jimmie M. Edwards, Law Clerk, St. Louis, MO. 1/04 - 10/04

• Drafted bench memoranda for civil lawsuits and criminal matters

• Assisted Judge with pretrial conferences, settlement negotiations, and sentencing hearings

• Regularly discussed issues with Judge concerning judicial decision-making and court process

Nahon & Saharovich, Summer Associate, Memphis, TN Summer 2003

• Prepared complaints, interrogatories, and motions regarding personal injury and SSI cases

• Interviewed clients and assisted in the preparation of client's testimony at trial and depositions

• Prepared deposition summaries

West Tennessee Healthcare, Administrative Intern, Jackson, TN Summer 2001

• Prepared written report of all Tennessee Statutes and Codes concerning HIPAA regulations and performed EMTALA audits

• Negotiated and drafted contracts, prepared hospital for JACHO audit, budget reports, nursing home compliance and audits, monitored TennCare reform, employment issues, and various other hospital administrative projects

• Researched and analyzed impact of state and federal Medicaid, SCHIP and Medicare regulations

US Public Health Service, Health Services Officer-COSTEP, Rockville, MD Summer 2000

• Analyzed and prepared research data reports concerning health care of the United States jail population

• Prepared reports on Congressional Committee hearings related to healthcare issues

• Assisted in starting the pilot project for the Medium Security Institution of St. Louis, Missouri

• Researched, investigated, and made recommendations on health policies affecting the uninsured and underinsured

Alvin C. York VA Medical Center, Administrative Intern, Murfreesboro, TN Spring 2000

• Prepared written research reports regarding veterans’ health and access to quality health care

• Monitored proposed policy changes to healthcare benefits of veterans (TRICARE)

PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATION/LICENSE

Maryland Bar

Maryland Federal Bar

District of Columbia Federal Bar

EDUCATION

Saint Louis University School of Law, St. Louis, MO

J.D. / Health Law Certificate, May 2004

Externships:

Health Law Clinic - Tenet Healthcare System

• Provided legal research on payment issues involving Medicare and Medicaid

• Prepared reports on current legislative issues relating to hot topics in healthcare

• Reviewed physician's contracts

Intellectual Property clinic - SLUTech Office

• Reviewed Office Actions and Patent Applications

• Drafted Response Letters to United States Patent and Trademark Office

• Drafted Patent Claims for new Patent Applications

Honors

• Mound City Bar Scholarship

• St. Louis Bar Foundation Scholarship

• Regional Negotiation Competition

Meharry Medical College, Nashville, TN

Master of Science, Public Health, May 2001

Emphasis: Youth and Young Adult

Thesis: Factors Affecting Students' Seat Belt Usage among Selected High Schools in Memphis and Nashville, TN

Tennessee State University, Nashville, TN

Master of Science, Biology, May 1999

University of Memphis, Memphis, TN

Bachelor of Science, Biology, December 1993

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