New Health Law Section Chair Mary Beth Quaranta Morrissey: Collaborating To Tackle Inequities
7.26.2024
Mary Beth Quaranta Morrissey, the new chair of the Health Law Section, is ready to take on the challenges facing public health.
“I’m just delighted to be the chair of the Health Law Section,” she said. “I’ve had a long history in the section… I couldn’t be more excited. We have such a wonderful section – very engaged active members who are leaders in the association. I’m really honored to be moving into this role.”
Morrissey said that her many leadership roles in the New York State Bar Association – including serving in the House of Delegates – have prepared her to take on being chair. Recently, she chaired the Task Force on Medical Aid in Dying.
“The Medical Aid In Dying Bill did not move forward this legislative session,” she said. “However, we did a lot of important work, and we certainly want to share that work with the larger Health Law Section and the NYSBA community.”
As section chair, Morrissey is directing the Health Law Section to focus on health equity. The most recent issue of the section publication, the Health Law Journal, is dedicated to maternal mortality and morbidity, and what factors can lead to different health outcomes.
“We’ve got to look at things like housing, education, neighborhood,” she said. “Those are social determinants of health. They influence the experience of people and whether they have good health outcomes or detriments to their health. So as lawyers, we have to be aware of how we can advocate for meaningful changes in the law.”
The Health Law Section will also host discussions on this topic – in addition to a panel on hospice and end-of-life care – during the section’s Fall Meeting on Oct. 21 at the Gideon Putnam in Saratoga Springs.
“I have a very big interest in the intersection of law and science and research,” said Morrissey. “That’s what we need to do as lawyers. We need to be certainly up to speed on all of the research in our various areas.”
Morrissey wants to cultivate and create opportunities for younger leaders and lawyers starting their careers. She also plans to reach out and collaborate on shared interests with committees and other sections. “What’s very special about NYSBA is that the members come together and collaborate to address issues that are priorities,” she said. “Not only for lawyers, but for the larger society.”
Morrissey is a professor and director of the PhD program in Social Welfare Policy at the Wurzweiler School of Social Work at Yeshiva University. She is also the founder and president of the Collaborative for Palliative Care.
