Get to Know Us: HLI Faculty & Staff
Meet Ashton Boon: Adjunct Professor and Health Law Practice Group Chair at Mayo Clinic
What do you like most about your work?
Health care is rapidly changing while the regulatory environment continues to evolve. As a regulatory attorney, I work with physician leaders and administrative leaders on evaluating the best way to implement process changes to gain efficiencies, bring forward new technology or service lines to patients, and develop ways to reach more patients through virtual means – all while navigating through complex state and federal statutes, regulations, and guidance. I attended Hamline University School of Law to be able to dissect complex regulatory problems for clinicians so that the medical practice can provide high quality innovative care to as many patients as possible. I have the job I dreamed of back as a law student. I am so grateful for the Health Law program as the courses, professors, and experience gleaned during law school provided me with the skill set necessary to engage with physicians, present complex laws to leaders, understand how to find a CPT code description and appreciate the importance of partnering with Compliance and Business colleagues to support the next big idea for care delivery. I am honored to be back at Mitchell Hamline to grow the next generation of health lawyers.
Can you tell us about your roles at Mitchell Hamline and Mayo?
Within my role at Mayo, I support the organization and my health law colleagues with addressing complex health law work for Mayo Clinic across all sites (Minnesota, Wisconsin, Arizona, and Florida). Much of my focus currently is ensuring the Health Law Practice is structured appropriately to address the new innovative questions from leaders as we move towards our 2030 Strategic Vision and the anticipated regulatory changes post-pandemic. At MH, I teach the Governance & Ethics course. I absolutely adore bringing real world examples into the modules and course assignments. My goal is to ensure the content is practical and assignments grow the skill set necessary to be the next health law leader. The students are amazing, I have so much fun reading discussion posts, memos, and watching their presentations.
Can you tell us more about your background?
I have my JD from Hamline University School of Law (with health law and health care compliance certifications), a Masters in Health Administration from the University of Minnesota and a LLM in Health Law from Loyola University of Chicago. I have been at Mayo Clinic for 10 years in business, regulatory and practice roles, in addition to my current Legal Counsel role (serving as a Regulatory Consultant, Practice Administrator of Urology, Administrator in Contract & Payer Relations negotiating commercial contracts, and an Administrator of Occupational Health Services managing COVID response efforts for the enterprise). I am a Trustee on the Ronald McDonald House Board, serve as the Compliance Officer on the Minnesota Hospice and Palliative Care Board, and was appointed to Minnesota Supreme Court Legal Services Advisory Committee.
Healthy Dose of Good News
Rachel Lantz, 3L and President of the Health Law Society
What are your plans following graduation this spring?
I will be working as an Associate Attorney with the law firm of Eckland & Blando. I’ve clerked for the firm since my 2L summer and have already learned a variety of litigation and transactional skills while supporting a team of government contract attorneys. I am looking forward to diving into more commercial litigation and administrative/regulatory work as an Associate Attorney.
How has your experience as a law student been affected by your participation in the HLI?
Being an active member of the HLI has shaped my law school experience by providing (1) real-world skills practice in its curriculum; (2) opportunities outside of the classroom, like internships and competitions, to put my health law knowledge and skills to the test (cheers to a second-place finish in a national health law regulatory contest!); and (3) exposure to a network of engaged health law attorneys that have cultivated my professional identity.
What’s something that people might not know about you?
I grew up in Dickinson, ND, right next door to the Teddy Roosevelt National Park in the Badlands where I love to hike, I am an active member at the Minnesota Zoo, and I am getting married in October 2022. So yes, I have a busy and exciting year ahead!
Congratulations to Nicole van Lierop!
Nicole was named one of the top ten law students of the year by the National Jurist!
Already a student at MHSL when COVID-19 hit, van Lierop continued both her studies and her work as a nurse. For a year and a half, van Lierop would provide treatment–and sometimes just company for patients who were alone–by night and attend law school classes online during the day. We’re thrilled National Jurist has recognized her work with this honor!
“A lot of people have asked how I managed it,” she said. “I really don’t have an answer other than one day at a time.”
Events & Opportunities
Join the Food Law Center, an integral part of the Health Law Institute, for their spring 2022 symposium on Food Traceability. Industry experts will discuss the food industry responses to consumer demand for transparency and food safety. This event is pending for 2.75 CLE credits.
For more information and registration, check out the event page.
Faculty & Staff News
Health Care Compliance Certificate Program 
Health Law Institute’s 2022 Rankings
Mitchell Hamline School of Law’s Health Law Institute was ranked nationally by U.S. News & World Report for 2023.
The Health Law Institute at Mitchell Hamline School of Law was awarded an ‘A’ in PreLaw’s Back to School issue! Health Law rankings are located on page 42. Read the full article!
Highlights 2021
Subscribe to the newsletter
This quarterly newsletter includes information about upcoming events, courses, certificates, and student, faculty, and alumni news. It’s a great way to stay up to date and involved with Mitchell Hamline School of Law’s Health Law Institute!