AHLA's Speaking of Health Law

Conversations with AHLA Leaders: Tizgel High, Chief Compliance Officer and Privacy Officer, LifePoint Health

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This special series highlights AHLA leaders who discuss key moments in their careers, current and future trends in health law, and AHLA’s role in their professional development. In this episode, Chip Hutzler, Director, Horne LLP, speaks with Tizgel High, Chief Compliance Officer and Privacy Officer, LifePoint Health. Tizgel is a member of AHLA’s Board of Directors. 

Tizgel talks about her early passion for health law, how being an in-house counsel differs from being an outside counsel, the skills needed to be a “change leader” in health law, how AHLA is poised to help the next generation of health law professionals, and what her plaque will say when she is inducted into the “Health Law Rock Star Hall of Fame.”

Sponsored by HORNE.

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Speaker 1:

In this special series, ALA leaders discuss key moments in their careers, current and future trends and health law, and Ally's role in their professional development support for ALA. And this series is provided by horn, which provides proactive guidance and strategies to enhance efficiency, improve patient experience, increase market share, and position you for greater success. Horn healthcare serves over 600 clients across 30 for more information, visit horn L p.com.

Speaker 2:

Well welcome everyone. Wanna welcome you to today's podcast. This is chip Husler from horn and with me today is my guest to J hi to J is with life point to gel. We're glad to have you thank you so much for being here and look forward to chatting with you today. Elle's also in member of the ALA board. One of the newer members I think was, uh, it came on in the last year. And so really glad, uh, to chat with her a little bit about that too. First of all, what is your title? I, I don't remember.

Speaker 3:

Yeah, it's an evolving thing chip that that's why you're you don't remember it. Um, so as a December, I'm now the interim chief compliance officer and the chief privacy officer as well. I picked up a few different titles over the last couple of months. So,

Speaker 2:

So you've got a lot of hats you wear that is if I might say, uh, defining quality of to jail since the day I've known her, she likes wearing a lot of hats.

Speaker 3:

No. Why not? You know, depend on what style you want for a particular day, right?

Speaker 2:

Yes. So give us a FLA, how you got into health law. Um, you know, tell, tell us kinda how you got to where you are. I it's actually, I know a good story, so I'd love to hear it

Speaker 3:

Further. Sure. Um, happy to talk about that. So chip, I was one of those weird, strange people that actually went to law school wanting to be a health lawyer. That's what I wanted to do. I didn't know what it was, but there was so much about health policy and I was pre-med, but deciding not to go to med school, like, well, if I wanna impact sort of, uh, the healthcare space, how can you do it without being a doctor? And I sort of stumbled into health law, applying, wanting to do that, um, going to school that did not have a health law focus. So also really didn't learn much about what health law was and law school either. There were a couple of classes that talked a little bit about the false claims act and what that might look like. But, um, as I started interviewing and looking for opportunities outside, um, linked up with some wonderful law firms with really solid health law practices and got a great sense early on in law school, you know, being a, uh, first year, you know, law student going out an intern and, and getting a sense of what helpful law really meant coming back and doing it for my second year. And I knew like for me, that I had picked well that it was going to be, it was gonna be a good fit fit for me. So yeah, that's great nerdy, federal register stuff, and Elle mixed, mixed, nicely.

Speaker 2:

<laugh> perfect. Was there anyone who sort of inspired you along the way, um, and, and sort of what made them special? What, what made them so inspired?

Speaker 3:

So many people? Um, you know, I think about my first entry into health law at Powell Goldstein and Randy Hughes at the time with this massive health lawyer, um, having him as a mentor and to be your introduction into health law is, um, just phenomenal. You can't, I can't say enough wonderful things about Randy. And when I talk to him and we get, you know, we get some time to connect. I just remind him about all the health lawyers that he's inspired and sort of his legacy that, that lives on in the health lawyers, law space. There's so many people that have come through ALA char McGinty as a past president, you know, growing up under Randy Hughes as well. So I was very fortunate to work with, um, just a lot of phenomenal health lawyers, very early in my career, getting introduced to, and that way, and having just wonderful mentors throughout as well.

Speaker 2:

Uh, was there sort of a moment in your, you know, you could point to in your health law career as kind of a key moment or a pivotal moment when you realized, you know, I'm doing the right thing, or this is a really momentous time, and I'm glad I'm here sort of any sort of pivotal moments that you've had,

Speaker 3:

Um, pivotal moment. Well, for me, truly coming in and realizing that by luck and lightning strike, I had picked the right space for me was, was key. But I really felt that early on there have been opportunities that I've had in my career to work on just amazing cases, um, that have just great impact in the healthcare space. So I've been able to meet a lot of different people if I think about maybe a pivotal moment, um, transitioning to in house was different. And it took for me some convincing that I wanted to sort of leave the, the, the excitement of the law firm. I did love working on. So the big name cases, that was always fun for me, um, the time and the, you know, 4:00 AM and then 2:00 AM, wasn't always fun, right? I enjoyed, I enjoyed having those opportunities. So moving in house and sort of moving my career in a different direction was, uh, pretty pivotal for me, but why I think it was great for me and sort of, I, I think great launchpad for my career moving forward is you get to learn different things. You know, as an out side lawyer, you learn about putting structure and documents together that can be usable for clients with great, good thought behind it. Um, deep analysis in the law when you're in house, all that matters, but you actually have to live with your advice and guidance. I, I realize that I loved partnering with the operators and learning operations and having live with my guidance. It made sure that I didn't just provide sort of nice words on paper<laugh> I also had to provide things that could be actionable, that can be, um, that people could live with and could actually, um, have, have success in. So that drive of, you know, creating advice and creating spaces where people could have success I've loved. And it's also helped me transition into the compliance role as well.

Speaker 2:

Yeah. Well, that's a good segue to the next question, which is, have you faced any challenges in what you do? I know you have, the question is what are they in and how have you overcome the challenges?

Speaker 3:

No, there are no challenges at all as a, a lawyer in healthcare space. I mean, the organization and healthcare industry is always evolving and changing. Um, I moved to life points, particularly for the challenge of growth in the healthcare space. Uh, there's so much dynamic M and a activity there's so much growth and in happening now, um, you know, where our company just did a significant acquisition at the end of last year. So figuring out how these pieces fit together, you know, you have one structure in my case, one compliance program, how do you take a new organization with different service lines, different sites of services that are more disparate and different from yours and figure out how to piece it together in a way that feels good. You know, so much of what you have to do when you're working in an organization is obviously get things right, but you have to have buy in from people. It has to feel good for them to be able to move in a direction, especially move quickly. So there's, there's significant challenge that comes around sort of integration and acquisition, but it's, I don't know the, the opportunity to work with people and to bring folks around is also exciting for me. So, you know, when I see a new challenge, um, I tend to like it.<laugh> perfect. And that may be one of the reasons why I'm, you know, I, I stay in this space for so long, like you chip right. Really long time.

Speaker 2:

It's true. I've tried to take on, uh, challenges and yeah, as you mentioned, we've both been doing this a long time. Um, and we've been involved both in, in our companies as well as in HLA and, you know, as a healthcare or health law leader, what have you learned and what would you recommend to sort of the future health law leaders out there who are kind of starting out where we were 10 years ago or 12 years ago and wanting to do the, the same thing?

Speaker 3:

Yeah. Be adaptable, be nimble. Um, if, if nothing else that you know is gonna be consistent in healthcare is that it's going to change. Um, so thinking about how you develop skills as a change leader, which I, you know, I don't know if anyone told me that as I was coming up in health law, but that's a really important skillset to have, especially when you're lawyering or working in other spaces that are impactful for the law, the law's gonna change. Um, your business is gonna, the business is gonna change. The law's not, you're gonna have to figure out how to, how to make that work, but being nimble and, um, creating a good network of people that you can call on. That's been fantastic for me within a, a, the people that I've met that have been friends, mentors, colleagues, partners, that have worked with many different people in so many different spaces of their careers. Those networks are invaluable. Um, you know, if you can take the, the, the, the, the, the team, um, knowledge and experience, and be able to distill that down into a great advice that helps you to help your organization to move forward and have success. I don't think there's a better place to do that and build a network than, than HLA. That's been my experience there. And I've, you know, again, like you and many others have made many, many friends and have great colleagues, um, along the way that that just help support the decisions that, that I can make to help my organization to be successful.

Speaker 2:

Yeah. That a, a great way of summarizing it. I always Saya is so much more than education and it really is. And it's maybe it's sort of that marked Twain thing of don't let the education give away of what you really learned. Right. Absolutely. Um, it's, uh, what really get the networking side of it is invaluable to those who take advantage of it. Absolutely. So speaking of HLA, where do you see it going in the future? You're new to the board. You're gonna have a, a, a few more years on it. What do you see as the future of health law in the future of HLA as we move forward?

Speaker 3:

Yeah. HLA is gonna be moving forward, right? There's gonna be a steady progression of how we make sure that the value proposition stays as important as it was for you and I, when we were starting our careers for the new generation of health lawyers and health law professionals that are coming down down the road, um, I am really excited to see us try different things, to be able to, you know, use the learnings that we've got through the pandemic and how we deliver education and how we create networking opportunities in a, a different way. The world has changed through this pandemic. And I'm really excited for the, the innovative steps of HLAs is taking to, to meet people where they are. I also think it's gonna be, um, a more inclusive place. You know, I have been with HLA for a long time. I remember the first initiatives around diversity equity and inclusion. Those initiatives have, have evolved pretty dramatically over time. And the intentional position that the organization is taking on how we make sure that all of our members, um, get what they need from the organization, um, is, is phenomenal. I think, you know, I don't think there's another association, that's doing it, doing it better. So I'm excited to see what that looks like as we progress and, and move forward. And I'm excited to be part of the team. That's thinking about the strategies and really driving to make it a place that, that people wanna come, because it is, um, inclusive that your voice adds value to what is, um, provided from an education perspective and that your networks look diverse. So I'm excited about the future. And, um, I think there's gonna be a lot of great things to come.

Speaker 2:

Great. I couldn't agree with you more on some of the things you mentioned that are exciting. What do you still want to accomplish? Is there anything you sort of say, boy, I wish we could do fill in the blank.

Speaker 3:

Oh my gosh. Probably I'm trying to even articulate what that could be like, you know, from a, from an AHL, a perspective, um, I, you know, something and cutting edge, which I think, you know, something cutting edge and thinks about edge that creates a space for education delivery that is new novel, um, exciting, which, you know, all those things take sort of, um, you have to stop and sort of think it through and take some risks to figure out, you know, really what resonates and connects with people. So I don't, I don't know what it is chip. I, but I, I feel like the right team is together to figure it out and sort of what that can be. Um, so I don't know. I know that there's more, and there are things that we haven't done yet. We're not done. Right. We're just, we're just starting, I think, on the sort of the next chapter I, of what the association looks like. So I don't know what it is, but I know it's out there.

Speaker 2:

I hope that's. I hope that's exactly right. I, I think there's gotta be some innovation still out there. I never wanna rest on anything, but I think you've got a great attitude towards that. So let's take it in the fun direction. HOA takes you on the road a little bit. Nope. We, people have not been on the road much the last two years, but we're all sort of hoping that we will be going forward. What's your favorite places to go when you do get out on the road for HLA?

Speaker 3:

Oh, that's great. A great, great question. Um,

Speaker 2:

For business, cause you, you have hospitals in so many places, too

Speaker 3:

True. I love, uh, conferences in San Diego. You know, just being able to run near the ocean is just fabulous. I will go into that ocean, cuz it's really cold, but I love, I love San Diego for area, for conferences. Chicago's another favorite. Um, I enjoy being able to go see a show or get some great food. Chicago's a, a foodie town and of course I'm a New York girl, so I love New York off for the shopping and just being able to go back and, and visit with friends. So

Speaker 2:

Exactly. Yeah. Those are all good choices that we hear a lot of, uh, some same places from time to time. Uh, next time we're in San Diego, we'll get you a wetsuit. So you can go in the ocean.

Speaker 3:

I, I have a wetsuit chip. I picked up triathlon.

Speaker 2:

You need like the three inch thick one for Pacific ocean. I think<laugh>,

Speaker 3:

I picked up triathlon in my spare time. So I actually have a couple of wetsuits

Speaker 2:

<laugh> oh, good. You need that super duper one for the Pacific some days, at least. Well, I don't know in the summer, maybe not so bad, but in the winter, definitely. Yes. Um, I used to go in the Pacific only I lived out there only on the warmest days of summer.<laugh> would you get me in there? Cuz I was an east coast too where the warm well waters lot warmer

Speaker 3:

That's

Speaker 2:

Right. But uh, in any event, um, that's a great answer and some great places that you've gotten to go. It seems like. So tell me when they induct you into the health lawyer hall of fame, which will happen someday, the, the rockstar health lawyer hall of fame. What is your plaque on all gonna say,

Speaker 3:

This is such a hard question. Um, it's such a hard question. I want it to represent sort of the people that have become before and that are ahead of me. I do feel like so much of my, what I think is important to me ina has been driven by just wonderful health lawyers that have encouraged me, mentored me, challenged me to think in different ways and to take some different risks. So I think the sort of the, I don't know, I think of myself a little bit as a little bit of a bridge. And then in that I paid forward that I've been able to, I, you know, I would love it to do something that represents an opportunity to sort of take what has been learned from others and, you know, sort of instilled in me and also passed on to the next group of generations. So I, you know, something that represents that continu of HLA and how we each, all of us invest in each other is what I would wanna be represented there. You know? And if I'm being a little, uh, more silly, you know, something like, um, I dunno, big things come in, small packages<laugh>, you know, there's, there's, there's so there's so much, I think that, uh, I've gotten from HLA and I'm hopeful that the, the way that I'm giving back as representative of everything that, that I've been able to, to gain for being a member and a leader ina

Speaker 2:

That, uh, that's really great. And you've talked about, um, you know, inspiring others or, or helping others in the way that you were helped. I can actually report, uh, that that's happened to me. You've helped me from time to time with things that I need to help with, um, and, or, or didn't realize I needed to know. And that was immeasurable, immeasurable, valuable to me over the years. So I have no doubt that, uh, the sorts of things you're talking about are exactly what will be on your plaque as that. That's kinda

Speaker 3:

That, thank you. Thank you. That's,

Speaker 2:

That's a great image that bridge that you mentioned by the way you got a bridge right behind you, and nobody can see this, we're talking on audio, but in the video that I'm looking at, you there's a bridge right behind your head. Perfect. Um, so one more, uh, you know, do you have any walkin music when TA comes in the room? What should we be thinking about what music

Speaker 3:

It's as though, you know, my, my life is like a soundtrack. I do love music. The song that I think would play would be a little bit representative of my New York roots empire state of mind, JayZ and Alicia keys. Oh my gosh. That one gives me a, it always makes me feel, feel good and sort of gets me in the mode to, to hustle a little bit.

Speaker 2:

Yeah. I mean, I, when I hear Alicia keys, just, you know, that's when you just shivers come, cuz she's so good. That's a great song. And I, I forgot about the New York side of tael, but that's a perfect choice.

Speaker 3:

I know now everyone thinks I'm all Nashville, but you know that, so that's a good thing.<laugh>

Speaker 2:

Well, I know you have some, some island roots too, but um,

Speaker 3:

Yes. I almost brought a Caribbean song chip. I almost did.

Speaker 2:

I lived closer to, to there than, than to New York, but not much. It's about halfway in between, but I'm, I'm excited. That's new. York's a good choice. No doubt about it. Well, um, really great to have this opportunity, chat with you. Thanks so much for joining for this short chat. Really appreciated it and look forward to working with you in HLA, going forward. Thanks for being my guest today. And we'll say so long to everyone so long.

Speaker 3:

Thank you so much chip so long guys.

Speaker 1:

Thank you for listening. If you enjoy this episode, be sure to subscribe to a H L a speaking of health law, wherever you get your podcasts to learn more about AHL a and the educational resources available to the health law community, visit American health law.org.