University of Washington School of Law launches the interdisciplinary Health Law and Policy Program with a $1 million gift for an initiative dedicated to the role of law in innovation and equity in health care, population health and life sciences.
Tamara Lawson, dean of University of Washington School of Law, said interdisciplinary collaboration is essential to train the next generation of leaders to solve some of the most complex societal problems.
“Innovation requires building consequential connections that span disciplines,” Lawson said.
Elizabeth Pendo, senior associate dean for academic affairs and director of the program, said putting the power of the law into action to solve problems will provide policy solutions to support health science and population health ecosystems.
“The program serves as a hub for understanding and improving laws and policies that influence innovation and impact the health and well-being of individuals, families and communities,” Pendo said.
Pendo is a nationally recognized expert in health law and policy, bioethics and the law, and disability law with years of experience working collaboratively with other legal experts and colleagues in the medical, ethics and public health fields.
She specializes in the Affordable Care Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the regulation of health insurance, health inequities and legal obligations of providers, institutions, insurers and employers under anti-discrimination laws.
Hilary Godwin, dean of the School of Public Health, said the program represents a bold step forward in addressing the most pressing issues in healthcare and public health.
“By integrating legal expertise with the strengths of the University of Washington’s health and life sciences programs, the program will lead the way in developing innovative, inclusive and sustainable legal and policy solutions that improve health and well-being for all,” Godwin said.
Kent and Sandra Carlson, both graduates of University of Washington, gifted funding that was matched by the Washington Research Foundation for a combined total of $1 million.
