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IU McKinney Law students shared heartfelt stories of gratitude and personal journeys during the Hall Center for Law and Health 2021 Health Law Donor Appreciation Celebration on March 30.

The nationally recognized health law program brought students, alumni and donors together for the virtual event with Karen E. Bravo, IU McKinney Dean and Gerald L. Bepko Professor of Law.

“As you know, our Health Law Program is a wonderful part of our school, and a jewel in our IU McKinney crown,” Dean Bravo said. “To our donors I say: We could not do this without you: your generosity makes possible our ability to offer this nationally ranked program in health law, and to prepare our students to practice in this area.”

The pandemic “has shown our community, our country, and the world, as never before, the importance of health and health law,” Dean Bravo said.

Among the donors and scholarship recipients recognized were:

• The law firm Hall, Render, Killian, Heath & Lyman, P.C. established the Hall Render Health Law Scholarship in 2015. It is awarded to those students in the Doctor of Jurisprudence/Master of Health Administration or the Doctor of Jurisprudence/Master of Public Health joint degree programs in the Robert H. McKinney School of Law. Christopher (Chase) Wilson is the 2020-2021 recipient.
• IU Health established the IU Health Law Scholarship in 2015. It is awarded to students in the Doctor of Jurisprudence/Master of Health Administration or the Doctor of Jurisprudence/Master of Public Health joint degree programs in the Robert H. McKinney School of Law.
• IU Health Foundation established the IU Health and Daniel F. Evans, Jr. Health Law Scholarship in 2017. It is awarded to McKinney Law J.D. students who have outstanding academic credentials and a demonstrated interest in studying and practicing health law. 2020-2021 recipients are Allyson Crane and Cass Lawson.

Cody, who is pursuing a J.D. and M.P.H. dual degree, thanked donors for the scholarship that made it possible for her to reduce her hours working outside of law school. “The scholarship lightens the burdens of student loans,” she said.

Hernandez, a 2L who is also pursuing a J.D. and M.P.H., described how health care has impacted her personally. “I came to IU McKinney because of the opportunity to study health law,” she said. “The scholarship gave me the motivation to overcome the scary idea of pursuing two graduate degrees at one time.”

Daniel Orenstein, Visiting Assistant Professor of Law and Interim Director, Hall Center for Law and Health, praised students for the dedication to health law, and especially for their resiliency during the COVID-19 pandemic.

IU McKinney alumni, including Allison Emhardt, ’15, Associate General Counsel, Indiana University Health; Daniel F. Evans Jr., ’76, former CEO of IU Health; William H. Thompson, ’87, Chairman, Hall, Render, Killian, Heath & Lyman, P.C., and Crystal Hinson Miller, President, IU Health Foundation; joined the virtual celebration to offer words of advice and encouragement to students.

The William S. and Christine S. Hall Center for Law and Health was established in 1987 to expand the curriculum and teaching of health law and provide opportunities for students. With more than 30 health law-related course offerings the Hall Center offers a specialized legal education in a city within a region known for its life sciences and health care industries. J.D. students can pursue a Certificate in Health Law or one of several dual degrees in a health-related field, or a LL.M. in Health Law, Policy, and Bioethics.

“Bill and Christine Hall would be so proud of what the Hall Center is today,” Thompson said. “There is so much opportunity for you. We are so proud to continue to support the Hall Center.”