AHLA Announces 2023 Greenburg Founders Award Recipient

Washington, D.C - AHLA is pleased to announce the 2023 recipient of the David J. Greenburg Founders Award is Joel M. Hamme, former AHLA President and retired principal at Powers Pyles Sutter & Verville PC. 

Joel obtained a Bachelor of Arts, magna cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa from Dickinson College and a Juris Doctorate from the University of Pennsylvania Law School. He became an AHLA member in 1979, subsequently serving as a speaker, author, mentor, and leader. Within AHLA, Joel has served as chair of its Long Term Care and the Law Program; a Board member; chair and member of the Practice Groups, Executive, Finance, and Nominating Committees; AHLA President; a Fellow; and a member of the Journal of Health & Life Sciences Law Editorial Board and the Public Interest Committee. He was also instrumental in numerous activities relating to AHLA’s 50th anniversary celebration in 2017, helping to develop a video documentary on the Association, preparing chronological milestones in American health law and AHLA history, and hosting audio interviews with a wide range of former and current AHLA volunteer leaders and staff. 

“It is a true honor and privilege to announce that Joel is the recipient of this prestigious award,” said David S. Cade, the Chief Executive Officer at AHLA. “In my opinion, Joel receiving this award is long overdue as he exhibits leadership, professionalism, and dedication to the mission of AHLA and has been an invaluable source of wisdom and expertise in many areas of health law.” 

“Joel has always exhibited true dedication and passion to the practice of health law,” added Thomas N. Shorter, AHLA President. “As an active member of AHLA, Joel has shown commitment to educating the health law community as a speaker, mentor, author, and friend.”   

Throughout his professional career, Joel has been characterized by many as “an authority on litigation, regulation, and reimbursement issues affecting the long-term care sector.”  Joel has obtained many noteworthy accolades, including being selected as one of America’s leading business lawyers from the Chambers USA guide, nominated for inclusion in the 2005 Best Lawyers in America, and inducted into the Washington D.C. Super Lawyers in 2007.   

“I think his impact is really a personal one because he’s a wonderful person and an even better friend,” said Almeta Cooper, past AHLA President and former recipient of the David J. Greenburg Award. “That to me is as important if not more important than his many accolades.” 

The David J. Greenburg Founders Award is awarded annually to an individual who has shown great loyalty to the Association throughout their career and has made a significant contribution to the growth and development of AHLA. The David J. Greenburg Founders Award is the highest and most prestigious award offered by AHLA.