Partner Tom Waldrep Featured on AHLA's Speaking of Health Law Podcast
- wwbbpllc
- Jul 21
- 2 min read

Waldrep Wall partner Tom Waldrep recently appeared on the American Health Law Association's Speaking of Health Law podcast, where he shared his experience with the financial and operational pressures facing rural healthcare institutions. The episode, sponsored by Stroudwater Associates, featured a discussion with Jeff Sommer, Managing Director at Stroudwater Associates.
Drawing on his extensive background as a former United States Bankruptcy Judge for the Middle District of North Carolina, Waldrep addressed the critical intersection of financial distress and strategic planning in the rural hospital sector. The conversation explored how healthcare organizations can identify early indicators of financial trouble and the various restructuring pathways available to distressed facilities.
The discussion highlighted Waldrep's deep understanding of both bankruptcy law and healthcare industry dynamics, positioning him as a valuable resource for rural hospitals navigating complex financial decisions. His insights covered the strategic considerations that hospital leadership must weigh when evaluating partnership opportunities, restructuring options, and other alternatives to traditional bankruptcy proceedings.
"You don't care who owns the hospital. You don't care how much it sells for. What you care about is having an operating hospital that will serve the healthcare needs of your community for decades and generations to come," Waldrep emphasized during the podcast, underscoring the critical importance of focusing on long-term community benefit rather than short-term financial considerations.
This industry recognition underscores Waldrep Wall's commitment to providing sophisticated legal counsel to healthcare clients facing today's challenging operating environment.
For more information about our healthcare practice or to speak with Tom Waldrep about rural hospital restructuring matters, contact twaldrep@waldrepwall.com.
You can listen to the full episode, “Rural Hospital Partnerships: Addressing Distress and Strategic Drift,” here or view the recording below.