About the Author

J. Stuart Showalter, JD, MFS, has developed a deep expertise in health law over a 45-year career. He earned a law degree from Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri, and a master's degree in forensic science from George Washington University in Washington, DC. He served in the US Navy from 1972 to 1980 in various positions, including in-house counsel to a large Navy medical center, malpractice claims defense attorney, and counsel to the US Navy Surgeon General. From 1980 to 1996, Mr. Showalter was vice president of the Catholic Health Association of the United States, headquartered in St. Louis. Thereafter, he was a partner in a St. Louis law firm, where he specialized in health law and corporate compliance until joining the Orlando Regional Health System as director of compliance in March 1998. While in St. Louis, Mr. Showalter taught health law and public policy in the health administration program at Washington University School of Medicine, where he was twice named teacher of the year. Institutions at which he has taught include the University of Central Florida, San Diego State University, and La Sierra University's executive MBA program at Eisenhower Medical Center.