Mary McGillicuddy, J.D.

Chief Legal Officer and General Counsel

Mary McGillicuddy is an experienced health care attorney who serves as the health system's chief legal officer and general counsel.

Mary first joined Lee Health in 1996. After serving as system counsel, she returned to private practice to provide representation to health care professionals and organizations, including the health system Board of Directors. She rejoined Lee Health in 2002 to serve as senior counsel and assumed her current role in 2005.

Leadership Responsibilities

As Chief Legal Officer, Mary oversees the Legal Services and Risk Management Department, which provides professional legal services through in-house attorneys. The department was one of the first hospital in-house legal departments in Florida and has been in existence for more than 40 years. Attorneys provide legal advice to all levels of health system management, including senior leadership as well non-management staff. The advice covers a broad scope of federal, state and local laws and regulations related to complex health care, corporate, medical staff, regulatory, contract, employment and labor matters.

The attorneys analyze complex legal issues and provide advice regarding the legal implications of transactions, business development, proposed and existing policies and practices, and other risk areas to address administrative and operational objectives, as well as legal compliance requirements.

The health system's internal Risk Management Program includes the investigation and analysis of adverse incidents, the development of risk reduction measures, state and federal reporting, analysis of patient grievances, and education.

Professional Experience

Mary represented health care organizations and professionals in transactional and operational health law matters in private practice with two well-respected Florida based law firms. Before attending law school, Mary served in a hospital administrative capacity. Early in her professional career, Mary gained insight into the federal legislative process as a legislative assistant in a Congressional office on Capitol Hill.

Education

Mary earned a Juris Doctorate, with honors, from Stetson University College of Law; a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice, magna cum laude, from the University of South Florida; and an associate degree, with honors, from Edison State College.

Memberships/Community Involvement

Mary is a member of The Florida Bar and the American Health Lawyers Association, and is licensed in Florida as a health care risk manager.