Get to Know Us: HLI Faculty & Staff
HLI recognizes adjunct professor Mark Hallberg for 21 years of extraordinary teaching. “Mark’s experience as a seasoned medical malpractice trail lawyer has been an incredible asset to our students”, said Barbara Colombo, HLI Director and Professor of Law.
Meet Mark Hallberg
You taught Medical Malpractice at MHSL for 20+ years, what have you enjoyed most about this role?
Three things stand out: 1. The wide range of experiences the students brought to the classroom. Many of my students had experience in healthcare, including doctors, nurses, administrators, dentists, etc. Their real-world knowledge resulted in robust classroom discussions about issues of law and medical knowledge that helped the non-medical students understand the relevant fact issues. 2. Watching the students grow in their understand of the law and the public policy behind both the common law and statutory law and being able to apply that understanding to unique situations. 3. Following the careers of my students after graduation. Many of my students pursued careers in litigation, healthcare administration and related fields. It was rewarding to see them enjoy professional success and recognition.
What stands out as one of your most memorable experiences as an adjunct professor?
There was a time when I asked students to prepare a Haiku summarizing the key holding of each appellate court decision. I felt it would encourage them to identify the core principle of the decision. On one occasion, a student, who was a surgeon, was unprepared. I asked him to bring his Haiku the next week. Instead, he wrote a sonnet about my medical malpractice class, which he read to the class, followed by loud applause.
Your course has always stressed the importance of developing practical skills alongside a solid understanding of legal fundamentals. Why was this important to you?
Medical malpractice is a specialty area of litigation. The students learned the law by applying it in the same way practitioners use law: by qualifying expert witnesses, arguing discovery motions, and preparing for post-trial motions and appellate arguments. It is the best way I know how to make the case law come to life.
When asked about her experience as a student in Professor Hallberg’s Medical Malpractice course, Jamie Phillip, ’21 had this to say:
“Professor Hallberg was a wonderful professor. It was very obvious from day one just how knowledgeable he was about the area of medical malpractice, and I think every student could feel his passion for that practice area. He had such a positive and upbeat attitude, and really cared about seeing his students succeed. He is a wonderful asset to Mitchell Hamline, and I feel very lucky to have studied the complicated area of medical malpractice under his guidance.”
Healthy Dose of Good News
Tanya Cyrus, Health Care Compliance Program Alum — Career Success
“In late June 2022, I joined Aetna Better Health of West Virginia, a Medicaid managed care organization, as the Compliance Officer. My primary responsibility is to ensure compliance with state contracts, and state and federal regulations. Carrying out that duty involves collaborating with staff on member and provider issues, participating on a variety of committees, and ensuring timely and accurate regulatory reporting. Other duties include updating the annual Compliance Plan, maintaining documentation that supports each of the seven elements in the Compliance Work Plan, and providing compliance education.
The Mitchell Hamline Health Care Compliance Program gave me the confidence to apply for this type of position…one that I had envisioned for myself for several years. The program is well-structured, with a comprehensive curriculum, which, along with its financial assistance and flexibility to take one course at a time, made it a win-win for me. I’m proud to say that I attended this program and incredibly thankful to the professors, staff and my fellow students for an inspiring, often challenging, experience.”
Rachel (Lantz) Kurth, ’22 — Post Graduation Success
Since graduating, Rachel has been working at Eckland & Blando as an Associate Attorney and has been able to apply her health law and compliance knowledge in more ways than she imagined. “I have been challenged yet supported at this firm already, and am happy to be starting my career here,” shared Kurth.
“After graduating from Mitchell Hamline with health law and health care compliance certificates and now being in private practice at a small firm for just under a year, I regularly apply many of the skills and material I learned from the Health Law Institute. Even without working in a dedicated health law practice, I provide recognized value with my knowledge of privacy and data compliance, federal fraud and abuse laws, medical malpractice analysis, and other regulatory issues, including those within the developing Minnesota THC sector. I am able to confidently navigate complex laws and regulations, and leverage practical-ready skills emphasized in my HLI courses to produce quality work now as an attorney.”
We welcome the opportunity to share your good news in one of our upcoming newsletters, and encourage any students or alumni to email us!
Events & Opportunities
This symposium looked at different parts of the economy and healthcare that are being influenced by technology: telehealth, wearables, and more. Our speakers discussed how to navigate the practical and legal considerations in virtual care and how the digital revolution has prompted the development of non-traditional technology in health care.
If interested in viewing the recorded symposium, email the Health Law Institute!
Faculty & Staff News
Congratulations to the HLI faculty and staff on their accomplishments in December, January, and February of 2022-23! Follow the links to view their most recent presentations, publications, events, panels, and media highlights.
Health Care Compliance Certificate Program 
This fall we welcome a new cohort of students from all around the United States; from California to Florida to Massachusetts and more, we’re excited to be working with such an incredible group of working professionals.
Gain a competitive advantage in one of the hottest job markets by obtaining your Health Care Compliance Certificate through our 11-14 credit program, completely online! More information and application details for J.D. students and for working professionals. Accepting applications for the fall 2023 cohort.
Health Law Institute’s Rankings
The Health Law Institute has been awarded an ‘A’ by preLaw again! Read more on page 34 in their Back to School 2022 issue.
Mitchell Hamline School of Law’s Health Law Institute was ranked nationally by U.S. News & World Report for 2023.
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.