Fireside Chat: The Future of Women’s Health: What to Expect in 2023 and Beyond

Delphine O'Rourke, Esq.
Partner, Goodwin Law Firm

Recognized as one of the foremost attorneys specializing in women’s health, Delphine O’Rourke is a health law subject matter expert and leader of Goodwin's groundbreaking Women's Health & Wellness Industry practice. Ms. O’Rourke’s experience and expertise has established her as an advocate, thought leader, and global speaker, as well as an adjunct professor at Columbia Law School.

As trusted advisor to clients, Ms. O’Rourke partners with senior teams to craft comprehensive legal strategies around the most acute challenges presented by the complex and constantly changing federal and state laws that impact the health sector. From reproductive rights to patient access, to the end of the Public Health Emergency, to payment models for remote patient monitoring, to service line development to enterprise risk management – she is an invaluable advisor for companies transforming the health and wellness industry.

Ms. O’Rourke’s health law practice is integrated with her active transactional practice advising innovative sponsors, portfolio companies, healthcare and life sciences companies, and early-stage founders. Growth companies seek out her counsel as they raise capital, seek to develop relationships with investors, and connect with both the women’s health and global health ecosystems.

Ms. O’Rourke is also an experienced health system leader and in-house counsel. She served as Associate General Counsel of Ascension, one of the largest healthcare systems in the U.S., and now serves as outside general counsel to many of her clients. She is recognized for her business-focused approach, deep understanding of the industry, operational experience, and ability to drive adoption of innovative products, services, and investments.

As the demand for Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) guidance has grown dramatically over the past several years, stakeholders – boards, public companies, fund managers - have come to recognize the central role of health, gender equity, and human rights in their ESG principles. As a member of the firm’s ESG and Impact practice, Ms. O’Rourke advises a wide range of companies in developing ESG strategies, principles and standards.

Currently, Ms. O’Rourke serves on the boards of the Columbia Law School Alumni Association, The Forum of Executive Women, MDisrupt, and The Invisible Girl Project. She also serves as Ambassador for the National Health Law Program, Vice Chair of the Women’s Leadership Council of the American Health Law Association, member of CHIEF (a private network focused on connecting and supporting women leaders), healthcare expert for Endeavor (the world’s leading community of high-impact entrepreneurs), and legal expert for Women of Wearables.