2025 In-House Counsel Awards: Michelle E. Calloway

Number of years with firm: 9

Law school: William & Mary Law School (2004)

Legal leadership: I serve as senior operations counsel for HCA Healthcare’s Capital Division, providing legal oversight to eleven hospitals across Virginia, New Hampshire and Indiana I function as general counsel to each facility, assisting their leadership teams with a wide range of healthcare legal matters, including compliance with state and federal fraud and abuse laws, licensure issues, HIPAA/privacy compliance and much more. I am consistently recognized by hospital executives for my compassionate approach and high standards, often described as someone who “cares like family” and “raises the bar.”

Pro bono work/community or civil involvement: I actively engage in community service, recently volunteering with organizations such as the United Way, Feed More, Special Olympics, and Shalom Farms. I also regularly support charitable initiatives including the HCA Hope Fund, 2 End the Stigma, the McShin Foundation and Mercy Mall.

On my identity/background: From a young age, I was drawn to the healthcare field and initially considered becoming a physician. Inspired by my mother’s work as a paralegal, however, I ultimately chose to pursue a legal career. Discovering the intersection of healthcare and law allowed me to combine both passions — healing and advocacy.

Most pressing issue that IHC face: One of the most pressing challenges facing in-house counsel today is managing budgetary constraints amid rising outside counsel fees. Balancing cost-efficiency with the need for specialized legal expertise requires strategic decision-making and innovative resource management.

Evolution of the IHC position: The role of in-house counsel has evolved significantly — from serving primarily as legal advisors to becoming integral business and operational partners. In the healthcare sector, this shift has been accelerated by challenges such as budget pressures, the lasting impact of COVID-19 on healthcare systems and staffing, and increasing regulatory complexity. Today, in-house counsel are expected to provide not only legal guidance but also strategic input and hands-on support in implementing solutions across the organization.