Melissa "Mel" Hartley, JD, HEC-C
Jacksonville,NC
Summary
Highly motivated Health law attorney with over twenty years experience managing and leading Military Treatment Facility (MTF) legal offices . A trusted advisor and instructor on all aspects of health law and Bioethics.
Overview
32
32
years of professional experience
Work History
Associate General Counsel, Office of General Couns
Defense Health Agency
04.2022 - Current
- Primary legal advisor for busy Level III Trauma Center and over twenty ancillary clinics across Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) New River and MCAS Cherry Point.
- Subject Matter Expert for Bioethics consulting for Defense Health Network Atlantic.
- Advisor to Risk Management, Bioethics, Joint Commission Compliance, Credentialing, and Patient Safety committees.
- Advises and directs all Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA) and Military Claims Act (MCA) investigations, with potential liability to the government of over $15 million per year.
- Advises Uniform Billing Office (UBO) on National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) 2017 Section 717 issues, including coordinating waivers with Department of Justice.
- Serves as adjunct faculty for all Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) residency programs.
- Serves as Ethics counselor, advising on all Joint Ethics Regulation issues and running the Financial Disclosure Management (FDM) Program.
- Volunteers on Defense Health Agency (DHA) Workforce Development Branch workgroups for functional career training plans and Senior Leadership Development application review.
- Serves as instructor for the DHA Joint Medical Executive Skills Institute.
- Served as Coastal North Carolina Market Lead attorney, prior to DHA advancement. (GS-14)
Health Law Attorney
Department Of The Navy
03.2021 - 05.2022
- Served as health law advisor on 24 hour basis for a Level III Trauma Center with staff of over 2,600, and twenty smaller clinics over three separate states.
- Advised on all aspects of health law including: Quality Assurance, HIPAA, Risk Management, Bioethics, Informed Consent, and Joint Commission compliance.
- Directed twelve Quality Assurance investigations and participated in seven adverse privileging and practice hearings.
- Advised UBO on financial matters related to coding and collecting of patient accounts.
- Directed seven FTCA and MCA investigations, compiling litigation reports, gathering data, synthesizing information, and minimizing risk for the Department of the Navy.
- Improved Patient Safety and Risk Management processes, advised on Research Law and Ethics, and taught multiple classes regarding a variety of Health Law subjects.
Deputy Center Judge Advocate
United States Army
01.2005 - 03.2021
- Managed a busy legal office of fifteen people and annual budget of $245,000 at a busy Level II Trauma Center.
- Served as adjunct faculty for thirty-six ACGME residency programs.
- Advised on all aspects of research and regulatory guidance/compliance.
- Served on the Institutional Review Board (IRB) panel B for fifteen years and as advisor to IRB panel A.
- Advised Bioethics committee and served as Bioethics faculty for fifteen years.
- Advised on all state and federal regulatory guidance pertaining to delivery of healthcare.
- Managed Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA) investigation program with average case load of 25 FTCA claims per year and liability of over $210 million per year, earning multiple Swan Team Awards and US Army Claims Service Claims Center of Excellence Designations.
- Served as Medical Affirmative Claims (MAC) program Regional Claims Settlement Officer with jurisdiction over seven states and revenue of over $4 million annually, earning us "Blue Chip Authority" with delegated authority to adjudicate claims of up to $100,000 each.
- Independently negotiated and drafted settlement agreement with seven medical malpractice co-respondents to collect $1.2 million for the Army on a single MAC claim.
- Served on multiple working groups such as the Sexual Assault Response Quality initiative, Risk Management core group; and the Hospital Accreditation Oversight Committee for Joint Commission compliance.
- Served as instructor for United States Army Medical Command and Pacific Regional Medical Command for FTCA and MAC training courses.
- Earned 20% retention bonus for seven years until promoted to GS-14 in 2017.
- Awarded multiple civilian awards, yearly cash bonuses, and induction into the Order of Military Medical Merit for lasting contribution to Army medicine.
School Board Member (Volunteer Position)
North Thurston Public School District
01.2017 - 05.2021
- Developed strategic plans outlining priorities and goals to effect student achievement, personnel management, facilities planning, and program implementation for 23 separate schools with annual budget of over $234 million.
- Served as Vice President of board in 2018-2019 and helped secure $285 million bond to rebuild outdated buildings and technologies.
- Mandated integration of Instructional Committee to better reflect student population and hired district wide grant writer to alleviate disparities in enrichment opportunities.
- Served as President 2019-2020 and collaboratively developed orderly shut-down plan during Covid pandemic, collaborating with the County Health Department and neighboring school districts.
- Implemented formal meetings between Board and local Nisqually Indian Tribal council to better meet needs of indigenous students.
- Participated in Community Conversation panels developing strategic five year plan for sustained and measurable achievements.
- Oversaw opening of new technical high school and collaborated with local organizations to create internship programs, offering invaluable work experience opportunities for high school students.
- District was awarded "Large District School Board of Distinction" for 2022 based on achievements accomplished in preceding four years.
Health Law Attorney
United States Army
01.2004 - 11.2005
- Managed Medical Affirmative Claims Program for four states with annual revenue of over three million dollars.
- Investigated over 25 Federal Tort Claim cases with estimated potential liability of over $200 million.
- Advised on all aspects of research and compliance in MTF operations.
- Devised US Army Medical Command's first advanced provisional consent form for Intensive Care Unit patients.
Hearings Examiner III
Washington State Department Of Health
11.2001 - 12.2003
- Served as lead attorney for Washington State Dental Commission and boards of Psychology, Chiropractor Medicine, Physical Therapy, Audiology, Nursing Assistants, and Nursing Home Administrators.
- Advised individual commissions and boards on criminal and administrative offenses committed by health providers.
- Charged offenses, drafted statements of charges regarding regulatory compliance failures within the profession of healthcare and conducted settlement conferences.
- Worked with Washington State Attorney General's office preparing for litigation of contested cases.
- Advised unlicensed practice criminal investigation squad, and coordinated prosecution of unlicensed practice with Washington State Attorney General's Office.
- Served as instructor for Federation of State Medical Board Attorneys.
Medical Claims Attorney
United States Army
07.1999 - 11.2001
- Investigated and defended or settled over $218 million in FTCA cases against the Government, collecting evidence, drafting litigation reports, and making recommendations on case adjudication.
- Drafted interrogatory responses, conducted depositions, and served as second chair assisting Department of Justice with litigation and medical malpractice defense.
- Researched and advised on numerous regulatory compliance issues related to military medicine and medical research.
- Advised numerous committees to include: Risk Management, Credentialing, Patient Safety, Non-Accidental Trauma Review Board, and Institutional Review Board.
- Conducted training for medical staff for continuing medical education classes on: human rights, medical safety, and regulatory compliance issues dealing with the public.
- Awarded Meritorious Service Medal (MSM) for tour at Madigan Army Medical Center.
- Selected for rank of O-4 in September 2021.
Special Assistant United States Attorney
United States Army
07.1999 - 11.2001
- Served as Special Assistant U.S. Attorney (SAUSA) on open post, prosecuting bust docket of misdemeanor and felony charges in Western District of Texas.
- Conducted over 50 trials in federal court from pre-hearing to conviction, sentencing, including jury trials.
- Ran weekly traffic court and conducted two to three Driving While Impaired (DWI) trials per month in Magistrate court.
- Assisted Department of Justice with Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) Detainer Hearings.
- Awarded Army Commendation Medal (ARCOM) for role as SAUSA.
Legal Assistance/ Soldier's Counsel
United States Army
12.1996 - 04.1997
- Served as Legal Assistance Attorney for Family Law, Debt Collection, Contracts and Landlord-Tenant for military beneficiaries.
- Conducted multi-base housing investigation resulting in removal of offending family and resolution of long-standing base turmoil.
- Awarded Army Achievement Medical (AAM) for investigation work.
- Represented wounded soldiers at US Army Physical Evaluation Board (PEB) hearing boards, ensuring regulatory compliance and due process for all.
- Cultivated positive relationships with Board and became Physical Disability Branch instructor for PEB Liaison Officer (PEBLO) course for the US Army.
- Served as Victim-Witness Liaison for criminal trials on Fort Sam Houston installation protecting victims' rights.
- Awarded second AAM by PEB for service as Soldier's Counsel.
Assistant District Attorney (Legal Intern License)
Office Of The Oklahoma County District Attorney
07.1994 - 09.1996
- Worked 30 hours per week in Law School and full time in summer as Licensed Legal Intern in Oklahoma County District Attorney Civil Litigation Division.
- Handled hundreds of civil forfeiture hearings on assets of convicted drug offenders, appeals for state liquor license hearings, and expungement proceedings on former criminal convictions.
- Served as Legal Clerk for Oklahoma County Chief Justice Dan Owen to perform legal research and assist with U.S. Supreme Court brief regarding the Oklahoma City Bombing and the state's alleged failure to convene a special grand jury.
- Ranked in top 5 of all ADA Licensed Interns for 1996.
Legal Intern
Office Of The Public Defender
12.1993 - 07.1994
- Performed initial interviews, arraignments, and case analysis on hundreds of juvenile cases.
- Analyzed statutes and regulations relevant to specific cases; providing additional context necessary for successful arguments.
- Second chaired multiple trials including a manslaughter trial by jury.
Human Resource Manager
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill
10.1991 - 08.1993
- Improved employee payroll processes for over ninety graduate students by streamlining semester in-processes and conducting training classes.
- Managed complex benefits administration, ensuring accurate enrollment and timely processing of insurance forms and department transfers for over four hundred employees.
- Tracked all correspondence and response times for employee grievances, assisting with service of process and drafting responses for first line supervisors.
Education
J.D. - Law
University of Oklahoma College of Law
Norman, Oklahoma05.1996
Bachelor of Arts - Industrial Relations
University of North Carolina At Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC05.1991
Skills
- Quality Management
- Medical Malpractice
- Bioethics
- Teaching and Consulting
- Medical Affirmative Claims
- HIPAA and Regulatory Compliance
Affiliations
- Oklahoma State Bar member (1996 to present)
- Washington State Bar member (2000 to present)
- Healthcare Ethics Consultant- Certified (HEC-C) awarded by American Society for Bioethics and Humanities (Exam 2021)
- Medical Law Consultant (MLC) Certification, United States Air Force Armed Forces Medical Operations Agency (AFMOA) (2015)
- Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Certification (Exam 2010 and refresher course 2022)
- Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI) and Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) certifications (2009)
- The US Army Judge Advocate General Legal Center and School, Judge Advocate Office Basic Course graduate (1996)
Writing and Speaking Engagements
Articles:
- “The Medical Affirmative Claims Program”, U.S. Army Medical Department Journal, Jan-March 2010 Issue.
- “Medical Negligence in the Military Setting” U.S. Army Medical Department Journal, July-September 2013 Issue.
- “Advanced Directive Considerations” Fort Lewis Ranger, April 2015.
Professional Speaking and Community Engagements:
- US Army Medical Command: Quality Assurance and Labor Law (Co-taught with US Army MEDCOM Labor Chief in 2020); Federal Tort Claims Act Lecture at Federal Health Law Conference (2008, 2016); Medical Affirmative Claims Lecture at Federal Health Law Conference (Multiple years)
- Pacific Regional Medical Command, Western Regional Medical Command, and Madigan Army Medical Center: Instructor for Western and Pacific Regional Medical Command Conferences yearly: Federal Tort Claims, Affirmative Claims, Research Protections, and Leadership Round table. Served as adjunct Graduate Medical Education Faculty, teaching over 20 separate courses at Madigan Army Medical Center and other Army hospitals on Bioethics, Medical Liability, Documentation and Best Practices, Advanced Directives and Patient Rights, as well as Residency Orientation and Residency Capstone Course “Transition to Practice.”
- Federation of State Medical Board Attorneys: Federal Regulations- and Seeking Records from Military Treatment Facilities (2018)
- University of Washington School of Nursing Continuing Education:
Med-Surgical Nursing Conference- “Winning or Losing Legal Cases based on Documentation.” (October 2017)
Annual Nursing Conference- “Inpatient Nursing Documentation from a Medical-Legal Perspective (April 2018)
Virtual Nursing Conference- “Legal Pitfalls and Documentation for COVID-19 Remote Triage and Telehealth” (November 2020)
- Naval Medical Center Camp Lejeune:
ACGME Grand Rounds- “Medical Documentation and the Effect on Litigation Outcomes” (2022)
ACGME Grand Rounds on “Capacity vs Competency Ethical Dilemmas with Long Term Patients” (2023)
- Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune:
Marine Corps Judge Advocates “HIPAA Issues for Trial Counsel and Building a Case” (2021)
2nd Marine Expeditionary Force- "HIPAA Issues for Senior Leaders” (2022)
Awards
US Army Achievement Medal (2), US Army Commendation Medal (1), US Army Meritorious Service Medal (1), Honorary Membership into the US Army Medical Command Order of Military Medical Merit (O2M3) (Inducted 2005), US Army Civilian Service Commendation Medal(s) (2007, 2010), Brigadier General Mack Hill Research Facilitator’s Award (2012) U.S. Army Claims Center of Excellence Designation (2008, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2018) Madigan Swan (Team) Award (2015, 2016, 2018, 2020), US Army Meritorious Civilian Service Awards(s) (2011, 2013), Superior Civilian Service Award(s) (2017 and 2021), Thurston County- Excellence in Leadership Award for Public Service (2020 and 2021), Civil Service yearly cash and or Time Off awards with ratings of “Excellent” consistently for over 20 years.
Timeline
Associate General Counsel, Office of General Couns
Defense Health Agency
04.2022 - Current
Health Law Attorney
Department Of The Navy
03.2021 - 05.2022
School Board Member (Volunteer Position)
North Thurston Public School District
01.2017 - 05.2021
Deputy Center Judge Advocate
United States Army
01.2005 - 03.2021
Health Law Attorney
United States Army
01.2004 - 11.2005
Hearings Examiner III
Washington State Department Of Health
11.2001 - 12.2003
Medical Claims Attorney
United States Army
07.1999 - 11.2001
Special Assistant United States Attorney
United States Army
07.1999 - 11.2001
Legal Assistance/ Soldier's Counsel
United States Army
12.1996 - 04.1997
Assistant District Attorney (Legal Intern License)
Office Of The Oklahoma County District Attorney
07.1994 - 09.1996
Legal Intern
Office Of The Public Defender
12.1993 - 07.1994
Human Resource Manager
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill
10.1991 - 08.1993
J.D. - Law
University of Oklahoma College of Law
Bachelor of Arts - Industrial Relations
University of North Carolina At Chapel Hill
Similar Profiles
LISA PERRYLISA PERRY
Consultant at Andrew Morgan Consulting, Defense Health Agency (DHA) – Defense Healthcare Management System Chief Financial Officer Transformation TeamConsultant at Andrew Morgan Consulting, Defense Health Agency (DHA) – Defense Healthcare Management System Chief Financial Officer Transformation Team
Alexis RigheroAlexis Righero
Lead HR Specialist at Civilian Human Resources Agency - Defense Health Agency (DHA)Lead HR Specialist at Civilian Human Resources Agency - Defense Health Agency (DHA)
Katherine McGeoughKatherine McGeough
Human Resources Associate at Department of Defense, Defense Health AgencyHuman Resources Associate at Department of Defense, Defense Health Agency
Yolanda R. Mose'Yolanda R. Mose'
Clinical Training Program Operations Manager at Department of Defense, Defense Health Agency (DHA), J7/Education & Training DirectorateClinical Training Program Operations Manager at Department of Defense, Defense Health Agency (DHA), J7/Education & Training Directorate
Tormeka DaughteryTormeka Daughtery
Group Leader at MSA CoGroup Leader at MSA Co