Impact Story: Jeff Wurzburg

Steppingstones to Career Success

Jeff’s professional journey was tied with AHLA from the very beginning. AHLA’s mentoring program afforded him opportunities to engage with industry experts who guided his path. In his view, every interaction he has had with AHLA members has enhanced his understanding of health law, providing the solid grounding he needed to become a trusted source for other professionals.

My transition to health law began with a fortuitous meeting with the late Alan Goldberg, an AHLA fellow. I was an attorney with the Office of the General Counsel at the U.S. Department of Defense when I became interested in the how the law influences the manner in which we access (or don’t) healthcare in our country.

Alan was enthusiastic about my interest and encouraged me to make the transition and to join the AHLA as a way to become more familiar with healthcare. With his encouragement, I pursued an LL.M. at the American University Washington College of Law, where he also happened to be my first professor. During this time, I had the privilege of connecting with AHLA ambassadors like Asha Scielzo and Joel Michaels, who both played meaningful roles in my career transition and beyond. Their encouragement led me to become actively involved with AHLA. While in the program I signed up for the AHLA Mentor program and was lucky enough to pair up with Tom Dowdell, a healthcare regulatory and reimbursement expert at Fulbright & Jaworski. I attended my first AHLA conference, the 2012 Annual Meeting in Chicago.

Following the LL.M. program, I was fortunate to be offered a position with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of the General Counsel. I had the privilege to advise on the implementation of the Affordable Care Act—an experience I will always cherish. After relocating to Texas, I joined my AHLA mentor Tom Dowdell at Norton Rose Fulbright.

AHLA has been a constant companion on my professional journey, offering invaluable opportunities to interact with industry leaders and access substantive and timely resources. AHLA has fostered profound relationships that transcend professional connections, transforming colleagues into lifelong friends and trusted confidants who help me navigate evolving health law policies and daily challenges. As members, we have the privilege of accessing the nation's foremost health law experts and a comprehensive archive of resources to enhance our understanding of health law and better serve our clients.

Over the years, I have appreciated the opportunity to contribute to AHLA, in particular, giving the presentation on Medicaid Fundamentals with a former colleague and good friend at the Fundamentals of Health Law conference, and holding leadership roles within the Payers, Plans, and Managed Care Practice Group. I am now excited to serve on the Planning Committee for the Health Plan Law and Compliance Institute.

I am deeply indebted to AHLA for the transformative support it provided during my transition into a healthcare lawyer. The association's influence has permanently altered the course of my career. As I embark on the next phase of my professional journey, I am committed to giving back to this vibrant AHLA community that has enriched my life both personally and professionally.