Global Health Institute

On February 21 our class had the privilege of hearing Tim Westmoreland, a professor of practice emeritus at Georgetown Law, speak on his experience in the federal government helping to shape health care policy. He shared with us how growing up with parents that worked in a tuberculosis sanitarium formed his desire be involved in the health care system. This inspired him to do health law, but the field was undeveloped when he went to law school. Now it is a burgeoning field in the legal world with many subfields. However, at the time he graduated from law school, Professor Westmoreland could not find any significant firms dedicated to health law. It was actually by a very lucky coincidence that a committee in the U.S. House of Representatives was being organized, requiring experts in health law. Professor Westmoreland described this as being a very rare occurrence. He then shared the usefulness of getting a J.D., saying that it frequently opens doors to career opportunities in a wide variety of jobs outside of just practicing law. Especially for those interested in health policy, going to law school for only three years might be more financially advantageous as well as time-saving over pursuing an M.D. and becoming a physician.

On February 7 we had the pleasure of welcoming Ambassador Jimmy Kolker  to campus for a conversation. Our Conversations in Health: Global to Local class  was eager to hear about Ambassador Kolker’s perspectives on embassy work and global health leadership and learn from his distinguished career as a diplomat for both the U.S. State Department and Department of Health and Human Services. Our discussion with Ambassador Kolker revolved around the central idea of diplomacy in global health, as well as the key role played by the ambassador in advancing U.S. foreign policy.