Ryan Crozier, J.D., LL.M.

-Manage a caseload of complex professional liability claims, effectively participating when appropriate in internal fact investigation, settlement negotiations, mediations, arbitrations and trials. -Presents cases under management to claims committee for input on standard of care and for settlement authority. -Responsibly utilize case reserving and settlement authority within established levels. -Assure appropriate documentation and use of claims management system. -Assure accountability for auditing and approval of claims expenses and litigation fees. -Juggle numerous competing priorities and perform in a continually changing legal, regulatory, and clinical environment. -Develop and maintain effective and respectful working relationships with company employees at all levels, including risk managers, patient safety and quality, senior management and business managers. -Keep abreast of legal developments and continue legal education in substantive areas and litigation practices, particularly in the area of professional liability and healthcare liability. -Work closely with external counsel on appropriate matters to develop and drive overall litigation strategy, ensure compliance with company policies, and drive cost savings. -Utilize excellent judgment, client counseling, multi-tasking, and decision-making skills

-Teach online graduate courses for Juris Master and Master of Law Programs. -Provide timely feedback in assessments, grading, email and other requested formats. -Follow guidelines, policies, and procedures outlined in the Faculy Handbook.

-Defend the organization in matters involving regulatory compliance (e.g. surveys and plans of correction), Medicare/Medicaid (e.g. civil monetary penalties and denial of payment) contracting (e.g. leases, admission agreements and employment contracts), patient care (e.g. end-of-life concerns and informed consent) and professional liability (e.g. resident care, risk management and litigation). -Assist with negotiation, preparation and review of material contracts, including management agreements, corporate services agreements, joint ventures, commercial contracts, and third-party payor arrangements. -Structure transactions to conform with licensure, billing, fraud and abuse, provider self-referral and tax exemption laws. -Company liaison to CMS regarding Medicare Secondary Payor reporting. -Oversee and manage outside counsel in the defense of 250+ general/professional liability medical negligence matters across multiple jurisdictions throughout the United States (e.g. PA, KY, NM, and AZ). -Provide training to leadership and staff on litigation, risk management and regulatory compliance matters. -Assist in structuring annual compliance programs for the organization. -Participate in investigation and development of response measures for clinical sentinel events. -Research laws, regulatory developments, legislation and industry trends presenting challenges to the company. -Supervise claims specialists, paralegals and attorneys by reviewing document drafts and providing legal advice. -Coordinate with real estate investment trust entities to manage portfolios and defend various interests pursuant to existing indemnification agreements. -Designed and created monthly comprehensive spending reports and charts to present financial data and guide litigation strategies. -Provide financial guidance to the Legal Department, and assist in decision-making and long-range planning for reduction of overall litigation defense spending.

-Responsible for handling all corporate and legal matters delegated by General Counsel. -Successfully and aggressively defend and manage long-term care medical negligence matters across 17 states throughout the United States. -Address the needs of facilities and providers regarding fraud and abuse, corporate governance, financing transactions, health information technology and information exchange, health privacy and security laws, contractual arrangements, payer contracting, peer review as well as employment and consulting agreements. -Work with provider organizations and state agencies to advocate for policies and guidance that best serve my client. -Train, mentor, and supervise in-house attorneys, paralegals and staff. -Respond to sentinel events, survey concerns, local, state and federal enforcement investigations and other emergent situations. -Draft policies and procedures, corporate compliance programs, and contracts for employees, independent contractors and vendors. -Keep current on evolving issues affecting nursing facilities, remain active in provider organizations, and keep informed of latest industry trends.

-Represent single and multi-specialty medical practices, hospitals, behavioral health practices and outpatient surgery centers in numerous jurisdictions throughout Ohio in both state and federal court. -Defend pharmacy negligence allegations on behalf of clients including prescription errors in labeling and contents, identification of contraindications between medications, and sufficiency of pharmacist counseling of patients on new medications. -Provide advice and direction to clients in connection with laws such including Stark, Anti-Kickback Statute and the False Claims Act. -Participate in all forms of alternative dispute resolution (e.g. arbitration, case evaluation, mediation, etc.). -Develop and negotiate documents for physician recruitment and practice acquisitions, establishing joint ventures, etc. -Assist in peer review, quality assurance and the defense of physician disciplinary actions.

-Defend medical malpractice cases on behalf of virtually all types of healthcare providers (e.g. hospitals, physicians, nurses, therapists, etc.) in medical fields including cardiology, gerontology, neurosurgery, emergency medicine, gynecology and birth trauma. -Consult with the nation's leading medical and pharmacy experts as consultants and expert witnesses. -Provide counsel on issues related to quality risk management, medical staff duties and insurance laws. -Advise clients on patient confidentiality issues imposed by HIPAA and various other state statutes. -Review medical records and process information generated in relation to medical malpractice claims.