Tamika S. Simmons
Tempe,AZ
Summary
Strategic legal counsel with deep experience in highly regulated industries, enterprise-wide compliance leadership, commercial transactions and government relations. Proven ability to advise executive leadership on key business initiatives, while navigating complex federal and state regulatory frameworks. Skilled in structuring and negotiating commercial transactions and protecting corporate assets through strong intellectual property management. Recognized for building productive relationships with regulators, key stakeholders and cross-functional teams to support robust business growth and drive operational excellence.
Overview
15
15
years of professional experience
Work History
VP: Chief Regulatory Counsel/Chief Compliance Officer
Covetrus, Inc.
10.2021 - Current
- Develop and implement a strategic vision for regulatory compliance to help shepherd an animal life sciences company through the complex global market and ensure that products and services are aligned with federal and state regulations, including those related to the FDA, FTC, state boards of pharmacy, and state antitrust regulations.
- Provided key regulatory leadership throughout the company's take-private transaction, including managing federal and state regulatory, compliance and licensing due diligence for M&A initiatives.
- Evaluate business and commercial initiatives, providing comprehensive legal counsel on contract structure, commercial terms, and regulatory obligations and risks, to support strategic decision-making.
- Serve as the company's lead liaison for advocacy and government relations, leading policy engagement, and proactively monitoring the regulatory landscape to advise executive leadership on risks and opportunities in the animal health market.
- Provide direct leadership to a core team of three, with step-level oversight for 14 staff, whose duties include trade compliance monitoring, regulatory risk review, licensing, and pharmacy operations.
- Manage and direct responses to government investigations, pre-litigation and litigation matters and regulatory inquiries, ensuring coordination with key internal stakeholders, and serving as the company's representative to state and federal regulators.
Legal Counsel | Senior Director, Compliance
Equality Health
01.2018 - 08.2021
- Served as first in-house counsel for a healthcare start-up with a focus on improving health outcomes in Hispanic Medicaid and Medicare populations.
- Drafted, reviewed and negotiated a variety of contracts, including physician employment agreements, commercial vendor agreements, commercial leases, and value-based healthcare contracts.
- Provided legal counsel on employment law matters, including performance discipline, wage and hour matters, and unemployment claims. Managed the intellectual property portfolio, including copyright, patent, and trademark applications.
- Lead company's government relations strategy in support of Medicaid population.
- Positioned company to expand into 2+ states by serving as lead counsel in securing Series C funding.
Senior Advisor | Government Services Regulatory Affairs
CVS Health
07.2017 - 01.2018
- Launched and implemented regulatory strategy for Medicare Part B line of business, including collaborating with key business areas to align strategies with business processes and IT system enhancements. Counseled on various matters related to Medicare policy.
- Retained key client as lead counsel for RFP and RFI processes.
Director, Health Plan Compliance
Tenet Healthcare
02.2015 - 07.2017
- Managed compliance operations for Medicare, Medicaid, qualified health plans, and health insurance exchanges/Affordable Care Act Marketplace.
- Conducted company-wide regulatory audits and oversaw the development and implementation of related policies and procedures.
- Directed the Fraud, Waste, and Abuse program across all health plan lines of business.
- Served as the primary liaison to federal and state regulators, proactively mitigating compliance concerns and coordinating responsive actions.
- Directed compliance and privacy investigations while leading a team of nine compliance professionals.
- Positioned company to pass qualified health plan audit with no civil monetary penalties by stepping into vacant chief compliance officer role to remedy prior deficiencies that had resulted in significant fines.
State Compliance Manager: Pacific Northwest
Cigna
03.2011 - 02.2015
- Managed compliance for all lines of healthcare business, including policy and contract development, across WA, OR, AK, ID, and MT. Reviewed advertising, sales materials, and patient appeal forms to ensure compliance with state and federal laws.
- Spearheaded initiatives related to state coverage mandates, essential health benefits, alternative licensing arrangements, and narrow network arrangements. Led the implementation of updated autism spectrum disorder and pervasive disorder regulations in 43 states. Served as a key member of the team to transition limited medical plans to those compliant with the Affordable Care Act.
- Provided legal research and regulatory support for complex class action litigation, collaborating with the Cigna Legal Team and outside counsel to develop strategy and support informed decision-making.
Education
Juris Doctor (JD) -
University of Miami School of Law
Miami, FLBachelor of Arts (BA) - Journalism
University of Nebraska – Lincoln
Lincoln, NESkills
- Risk Management
- Regulatory Strategy
- Government Affairs/Stakeholder Engagement
- Litigation Support
- Contract Drafting/Negotiation
- Pharmacy / Health Law
- IP Management
- Contract Negotiation
Websites
Affiliations
- Association of Corporate Counsel
- American Society for Pharmacy Law
Timeline
VP: Chief Regulatory Counsel/Chief Compliance Officer
Covetrus, Inc.
10.2021 - Current
Legal Counsel | Senior Director, Compliance
Equality Health
01.2018 - 08.2021
Senior Advisor | Government Services Regulatory Affairs
CVS Health
07.2017 - 01.2018
Director, Health Plan Compliance
Tenet Healthcare
02.2015 - 07.2017
State Compliance Manager: Pacific Northwest
Cigna
03.2011 - 02.2015
Juris Doctor (JD) -
University of Miami School of Law
Bachelor of Arts (BA) - Journalism
University of Nebraska – Lincoln
BAR MEMBERSHIP
State Bar of New Mexico