Leah Fressell Watkins

Regulatory Analyst

Atlanta
T +1.404.256.8249
F +1.404.459.5734

Overview

Leah Watkins is a regulatory analyst with more than 25 years of experience in strategic planning initiatives in the healthcare industry. Her work covers certificates of need (CON) and licensure, and working with regulatory agencies, including the Georgia Department of Community Health (DCH) and the Georgia Department of Human Resources (DHR).Leah assists clients with strategic planning, anticipating developments in geographic regions, and responding to specific industry and regulatory changes. An organized and independent advocate for her clients, she has developed historical information databases that help to educate clients and keep strategy at the forefront of her work.

Leah founded North Georgia Canopy Tours with her husband and through that endeavor, has contributed to many causes that benefit the legal community, such as Atlanta Legal Aid, Atlanta Young Lawyers Association, Georgia State University College of Law, John Marshall Law School, University of Georgia College of Law, Georgia Association for Women Lawyers and Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. Legal Department. Leah has broadened her experience with regulators by obtaining approval for zoning changes, obtaining grants and working with county commissioners.

Select Experience

  • Develops CON applications, letters of determination, letters of non-reviewability exemption requests, and substantive oppositions to CON applications or exemption requests.
  • Participated in more than 70 CON appeal hearings, attended the majority of meetings of the DCH Board, former Health Strategy Council, and the CON Efficacy Commission, and monitored the activities of various Technical Advisory Committees.
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Experience

  • Develops CON applications, letters of determination, letters of non-reviewability exemption requests, and substantive oppositions to CON applications or exemption requests.
  • Participated in more than 70 CON appeal hearings, attended the majority of meetings of the DCH Board, former Health Strategy Council, and the CON Efficacy Commission, and monitored the activities of various Technical Advisory Committees.
  • Reports weekly to clients on current events, keeping them apprised of need projections and other information regarding long-term goals and competition in their states of residence.

Recognitions and Memberships

Community

  • East Hall Middle School Career Advisory Committee: Co-chair (2015 to 2016)
  • Leadership Hall County: Graduate (2011)
  • Association of Challenge Course Technology (2009 to 2015)
  • Plaza Midtown Homeowner’s Landscape Committee: Chair (2015)
  • Epilepsy Foundation of Georgia
    • Board Member (1998 to 2002)
    • Magnolia Run Chair (1997)

Industries

Admissions

  • [Not an Attorney]

Education

  • B.A., Business Administration, Auburn University, 1984