Attorney and Counselor at Law
Mr. Walter S. Wheeler III has dedicated his legal career of 41 years to the development and implementation of policies and programs for public and private health care systems. He has been an advisor to the offices of four Michigan Governors, 11 State Health Directors, the Michigan State Legislature, the federal government, and a wide variety of health care providers and organizations.
On his retirement from government in September, 2005, Mr. Wheeler was the Director of the Bureau of Health Systems of the Michigan Department of Community Health. Under his direction, the Bureau of Health Systems was responsible for setting and administering the standards which govern the Michigan health care system. Organizations governed by the Bureau included acute care hospitals, nursing homes, health maintenance organizations (HMO?s), psychiatric hospitals and programs, primary health care services, home health agencies, hospice residences and hospice programs, homes for the aged, emergency medical services, ambulatory surgical centers, home health agencies, outpatient physical therapy programs, clinical laboratories, substance abuse service programs, mammography and radiation machines, and end stage renal dialysis (ESRD) facilities.
The Bureau also reviewed new medical facilities, services and equipment under the Michigan Certificate of Need Law-- with an estimated value of over one billion dollars in 2005.
In the past, the Bureau has implemented programs for oversight of Michigan?s local public health departments and the preparation of Michigan's health care system for defense against bioterrorism.
EDUCATION
Public Health & Hospital Law:
University of Pittsburgh Graduate Schools of Public Health & Law
Degree: M.S. Hygiene (Public Health & Hospital Law) – 1973
Law School:
University of Michigan School of Law
Degree: Juris Doctorate – 1972
Member: State Bar of Michigan
Founding Member: Health Law Section, State Bar of Michigan
Undergraduate:
University of Michigan
College of Literature, Science and the Arts
Degree: A.B., Magna Cum Laude (Economics) – 1970
Honors: Phi Beta Kappa |