Dual Degree Program: Masters of Legal Studies

Speciality: Business

Keywords: Legal Studies, Healthcare reform, Health policy

Motivation and Objectives: My decision to pursue a master's in legal studies was catalyzed by a deep realization: beyond the physiologial aspects that inform a physician's diagnosis, understanding the socioeconomic factors and actively listening to patients' stories are critical. These elements are what provide the “fingers on the pulse” that enable effective interventions and tailored care management. Given the significant role that law plays in shaping the healthcare system, I became interested in learning about how policies and regulations are created or reformed in order to promote improved helath systems. My commitment to policy reform motivated me to dive deeper into health and business law to learn the legal landscape so that I can learn how to better advcocate for the well-being of the most vulnerable. My goal is to integrate medicine and legal studies to enhance healthcare delivery through policy reform. 

Activities: (1) Learning about the legal landscape (structure and function of the courts), role of various legal professionals, stages of litatigation, legal principles and how to apply them. (2) reading and interpreting case law- dissecting court opinions, identifying precedents, and understanding the rationale behind judicial decisions. (3) fundamentals of business law, corporate structurem torts, contracts, employment law. (4) Health law: laws affecting helathcare delivery, liability, compliance, legal responsibilities of HCP's. 

Lessons Learned: Legal advocacy-- learning how to construct and present a legal arguement, memorandums, and judicial opinions. Debate and negotiations- skills learned for dispute and conflict resolution securing favorable outcomes in legal and business agreements within different sectors. This enhanced y understadning of the legal landscape that affects healthcare but also allowed me to gain skills in critical analysis, advocacy and strategic negotiations. 

Summary: Over the course of the year I have been able to expand my understanding about legal principles including: contracts, torts, employment law, public policy, health law, immigration rights, the criminal justice system, American dispute resolution, and private law. While the legal system continues to be a challenging regulatory enviornment to navigate, the MLS has not only provided knowledge but positioned me to make a substantial impact in healthcare informed by medicine and now, law. Moving forward, I aim to levergae this combined knoweldge to champion policy reform and engage in efforts that address disparities in helath care.