When Annette R. Drachman joined the Medical University Hospital Authority (MUHA) as its inaugural general counsel in 2001, she planned to acquire a few years’ experience as in-house counsel and return to private practice.
As the lawyer for the then-newly established MUHA, Drachman found plenty of learnable challenges in her new role. “When I arrived, the hospital authority was less than a year old,” she said. “One of my first tasks was to interpret the statute under which MUHA had been created, determine how it impacted our business and make sure it operated within the statutory powers we had been given. Helping leadership navigate the federal and state statutory and regulatory frameworks was my role.”
A month into her new job, the organization purchased Charleston Memorial Hospital. Soon after, plans for the new Ashley River Tower were on the board. By then, the train had left the station, and Drachman was in for a 25-year ride.
“I realized I would have opportunities to be involved in many things,” said Drachman, who announced plans to step down this spring and retire in the near future.
Some might call that an understatement.
She also assumed responsibility for MUSC’s legal department in 2012. Since then, she has led the legal strategy not only for the Office of General Counsel but also for MUSC’s expansion efforts across the state. Those projects include construction of the Ashley River Tower, Shawn Jenkins Children’s Hospital, Black River Medical Center, Leatherman Behavioral Health Pavilion, hospitals in Nexton and Indian Land and the acquisition of various hospitals and health care practices from the mountains to the coast.
And as MUSC has grown, so has her own professional portfolio. Higher education and health law, insurance, conflicts of interest, bond financings, participation in the federal government’s HUD 242 program and risk management are a few of the subjects that routinely crossed her desk. She has also served as chief legal officer, providing governance and strategic advice to the Board of Trustees, the president, the CEO, senior leadership, faculty and staff of the University and MUSC Health. When she steps down, she will have a new title: General Counsel Emeritus.
And every day has been a learning experience.
“I have found the legal profession to be exhilarating. I learn something new every day,” Drachman said. “Most importantly, however, I have had the opportunity to learn the business of my clients, especially MUSC.”
Born and raised in Charleston, she had more than a passing familiarity with MUSC. Her father and sister are graduates of the College of Pharmacy, and two cousins are occupational therapists educated at MUSC.
Although she didn’t want a clinical role, she found the idea of a career supporting health care providers appealing. After earning a degree in history and economics from UNC-Chapel Hill, she pursued a Master of Health Services Administration degree at MUSC. Before she completed her master’s, however, she enrolled in law school at the University of South Carolina, earning her law degree in 1993.
“At the time, health law wasn’t even taught,” she said. “But because of my MHSA studies, I got a summer job, and eventually a full-time job after graduation, with a boutique health law firm that represented hospitals across the state, including MUSC.”
The connections and Drachman’s experience proved invaluable. After practicing law for eight years, she got a call from a contact at MUSC encouraging her to apply for a new position as the General Counsel of MUHA.
She earned her Master of Health Administration from MUSC in 1999 and taught health law in that program until 2012. Since 2012, the office has grown to a team of more than 20 lawyers and legal support staff. The team’s purview includes areas such as higher education law, health law, employment law, real estate law, conflict of interest, strategic transactions and commercial agreements.
“We’re here because of the mission,” Drachman said.
“Our office often talks about MUSC’s mission and how what we do impacts the patients served by MUSC. Even a simple contract that seems routine to us can help procure a lifesaving device for someone,” she said. “It’s a reminder of why we do what we do – how we’re able to impact our patients.”
Drachman will take many memories with her, including countless accomplishments and points of pride, especially the growth of the enterprise, when she retires.
“To have been a part of growing MUSC to an $8.9 billion organization, much of which has been accomplished in the last six years, has been a true point of pride for the entire team.”
And after 25 years, she’s still awed by the work that goes on every day at MUSC. “The people I have met here, from staff members to researchers, nurses and physicians, have all been amazing people to work with. I am in awe every day at the care that our teams provide to patients. Clinical research at MUSC is second to none, and the fact that the legal department might have some small part in supporting programs that might ultimately find cures for disease has been incredibly important to me and one of the best parts about being here,” she said.
Drachman knows she didn’t succeed in a vacuum. “I have been fortunate to work with and for great leaders, including Dr. Cole and Dr. Cawley. I’m grateful to Stuart Smith, former executive director of the medical center, and Dr. Raymond Greenberg, former MUSC President, for trusting me to lead the legal department of the hospital and the University so many years ago.” She also singled out Lisa Montgomery, a former executive vice president for finance and administration, for her mentorship.
“Lisa has proved to be a true mentor over the years. She was instrumental in helping to shape my legal career, particularly at MUSC.”
Now she’s looking ahead to a new role, one that she admits is a bit daunting: hobbyist, adventurer and golf partner and travel companion to her husband, Ken. “I’m looking forward to spending more time with family and friends,” she said. “For the first time in my life, I don’t have a specific plan laid out,” she said. “I’m excited to see what this new chapter brings.”
Drachman said she’s truly grateful for the opportunities afforded to her by the Board of Trustees and leadership.
“It has been a privilege to work alongside a board and leadership team so deeply committed to the mission of MUSC and to the health and well-being of the communities we serve. I am profoundly appreciative of the opportunity to serve this remarkable institution. It has been an honor to work here and an experience I’ll always treasure.”
