TALLAHASSEE – Nov. 3, 2016 – International law firm Greenberg Traurig P.A. today announced the addition of former Florida Agency for Healthcare Administration (AHCA) Secretary Liz Dudek as Director of Healthcare Affairs. Based in the Tallahassee office, Dudek will join the firm’s state and national Health & FDA Business Practice, as well as the Government Law and Policy Practice.
“I am thrilled to be adding a well-respected health care professional like Liz to Greenberg Traurig’s team here in Tallahassee. Her extensive experience in the public sector will complement our existing practice as we continue to grow,” said Fred Baggett, managing shareholder of Greenberg Traurig’s Tallahassee office. “As a leader in the regulation of health care for many years her distinctive knowledge and expertise are unsurpassed.”
Dudek’s retirement from AHCA was effective Oct. 3, 2016.
“By joining Greenberg Traurig, I know I am joining a team that places integrity and professionalism above all else. Given the firm’s integral role in a wide variety of key issues, I look forward to the opportunity to expand my career in new areas that will challenge me and provide growth opportunities,” Dudek said. “I am pleased that in this new position, I will be able to nurture the relationships I have formed throughout my career and continue to help improve health care in Florida.”
Dudek has dedicated most of her life to public service. For the last 36 years, she worked tirelessly to improve Florida’s health care system. During her time at AHCA, which began when the Agency was created in 1992, she has held a number of senior management positions. For the last six years, she served as Secretary and oversaw one of the largest Medicaid programs in the nation. Dudek successfully directed and implemented Florida’s move to a Medicaid managed care system and did so ahead of schedule. Medicaid is now reporting the highest level of quality in the history of the program at a substantial per person savings to Florida’s taxpayers.
Previously, Dudek served as Deputy Secretary for Health Quality Assurance from 2001 to 2010, where she was responsible for the state licensure and federal certification of health care facilities and services, the investigation of consumer complaints against facilities and the determination of need for new health care facilities and services. Her other positions during her time at AHCA included Assistant Deputy Secretary for the Division of Managed Care and Health Quality, Bureau Chief for the Bureau of Health Facility Compliance, Assistant Director, and Bureau Chief for Certificate of Need and Budget Review.
“Liz brings unique insight and practical regulatory experience not only to our Florida practice, but to our national health care platform as well,” said Mike Cherniga, a Tallahassee shareholder and senior member of Greenberg Traurig’s Florida Health & FDA Business Practice. “I am honored to have Liz on board as a new member of our team and look forward to working with her to help our clients navigate Florida’s health care system.”
In her previous roles, Dudek worked extensively with all of Florida’s health care providers including physicians, hospitals, HMOs and others. She is well versed in both the health care and insurance regulatory aspects of those industries.
Dudek received her bachelor’s degree from Elmhurst College in Illinois. She also holds a Deuxieme Degre from L’Alliance Francaise in Brussels, Belgium. She is not admitted to the practice of law.
About Greenberg Traurig, LLP
Greenberg Traurig, LLP (GTLaw) has more than 2,000 attorneys in 38 offices in the United States, Latin America, Europe, Asia and the Middle East and is celebrating its 50th anniversary. One firm worldwide, GTLaw has been recognized for its philanthropic giving, was named the largest firm in the U.S. by Law360 in 2017, and among the Top 20 on the 2016 Am Law Global 100. Web: www.gtlaw.com Twitter: @GT_Law.