Robert Gerberry, a mentor at Notre Dame Law School, has been elected as the President-Elect Designate of the American Health Law Association (AHLA). This organization is the largest in the U.S. focused on legal issues in healthcare.
Gerberry is the Senior Vice President and Chief Legal Officer at Summa Health in Akron, Ohio. He teaches corporate law at Notre Dame, where he began his academic journey before obtaining his J.D. from Cleveland-Marshall College of Law.
In his new role at AHLA, he will help shape the organization’s future, supporting over 13,000 health law professionals. He has served on the Board of Directors and led several committees, including the Governance Committee and the In-House Counsel Group.
Expressing his gratitude, Gerberry said, “I am honored to take on this role with AHLA. I look forward to serving the health law community while educating the next generation of legal professionals at Notre Dame.”
At Summa Health, he manages various aspects of the legal and operational side, including compliance and risk management, advising both leadership and the board. He ensures that legal practices align with healthcare standards, a critical area as healthcare laws continue to evolve rapidly.
Gerberry has consistently provided real-world learning experiences for Notre Dame Law students through internships at Summa Health. He also supports the Health Law Society at Notre Dame in partnership with AHLA, fostering a strong connection between education and practice.
Gerberry’s new role reflects a broader trend in healthcare law where legal professionals are increasingly involved in shaping health policies. According to a recent survey by the AHLA, 79% of health lawyers report an increase in the complexity of health law since 2020, largely due to changes brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic.
This appointment underscores the importance of leadership in law education and its impact on the healthcare sector, where legal compliance is crucial for patient care and organizational integrity.