Corpus Christi Healthcare Diversity Summit

A member of the firm’s Healthcare, Life Sciences & Pharmaceuticals team, Bill focuses his practice on administrative and regulatory defense and litigation within the healthcare industry. He advises both individual healthcare providers and institutional healthcare clients on state and federal licensure and compliance and enforcement matters, with an emphasis on proactive measures that ensure compliance and minimize litigation risk. Bill’s experience comprises all aspects of healthcare professional licensure and practice, long-term care licensure, regulation and enforcement, medical staff issues, credentialing and compliance with rules of state and federal regulatory agencies, and allegations of fraud and abuse matters. Bill has litigated on behalf of his clients in state and federal administrative courts, as well as in numerous Texas district courts. Bill’s work on behalf of clients has included: * Assisting healthcare professionals in obtaining license reinstatement before the Texas Health Professions Licensure Boards after suspension or revocation. * Representing physicians and advanced practice nurses in peer review and credentialing matters with healthcare systems. * Representing long-term care providers before state and federal regulatory agencies in compliance and enforcement matters, including litigating federal appeals. * Serving as first-chair in administrative appeals and cases against federal, state and local government regulatory agencies on behalf of entities and healthcare professionals. * Working with healthcare entities on compliance issues, including audits. Before joining Husch Blackwell, Bill was a partner at Brown McCarroll. Professional Associations and Memberships * American Bar Association, Commission on Law and Aging, 2013; Health Care Section, Long-Term Care Task Force, chair, 2013; Nursing and Allied Professionals Task Force, vice chair, 2013 * American Health Lawyers Association * Austin Bar Association, Health Law Section * State Bar of Texas Awards and Recognitions * Austin Under 40, legal category, 2006 * Texas Diversity Council, Individual DiversityFIRST Award, 2011, 2014 * Texas Super Lawyers, Rising Star, Health Care, 2006 Civic Involvement * American Red Cross of Central Texas, Board of Directors, 2010-present * Austin Symphony Orchestra, Board of Directors, 2009-present * Austin Symphony, BATS Young Member Group, Board of Directors, 2002-present * Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Texas, Board of Directors, 2002-2006; Foundation Board, 2006-present, chair, 2005-2007 * Central Texas High School, Mock Trial Competition, administrator and regional coordinator, 1996-2005 * Leadership Austin, Essential Class, 2008 * National Black Graduate Students Association, Legal Affairs, associate director, 1996-2001; Advisory Committee to the Board of Directors, 1996-2001 * Samaritan Center for Counseling, Board of Directors, 2005-2010; president, 2009-2010 * Texas Appleseed Project, One-to-One Mentorship Program, Steering Committee, 1999-2004; mentor, 1999-2001 * University of Texas at Austin Law School, Career Services Mentorship Program, mentor, 1999-present * Young Women’s Alliance, Advisory Council, 2013-present

Annette Rodriguez is the Health Director of the Corpus Christi – Nueces County Public Health District in Corpus Christi, Texas. She received her B.A. from The University of Texas in Austin and her Master of Public Health from The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, School of Public Health. She was an executive board member for the American Diabetes Association for over 6 years. Prior to becoming the Health Director she was a Certified Infection Control Practitioner for nine years at Christus Spohn Hospital. She has worked at the Health District for the past fourteen-years, and has been the Director for over 12 years. She applied for and received additional funding in excess of 20 Million dollars to enhance public health programs that contribute to the overall health and wellbeing of Nueces County residents. In addition she developed and initiated a six month wellness program to city and county employees to challenge making healthier lifestyle choices. She works-out as a form of relaxation at a variety of fitness programs but enjoys cross-fit the most. She currently resides in Corpus Christi with her husband, 4 children and their 3 dogs.