At the Georgia State Law’s Annual Honors Day Ceremony, Shannan Young (J.D. ’23) received the 2023 Charity Scott Health Law Award for outstanding academic achievement in health law, demonstrated leadership and, commitment to the field. A pharmacist before law school, Young has a passion for health equity, participating in the HeLP Legal Services Clinic, the Satcher Health Leadership Institute at Morehouse School of Medicine, and an externship with the Centers for Disease Control Public Health Law Program. Young is also a leader in the National Black Law Student Association, she organized a panel on health policy for the annual conference.
The award is administered by the Georgia Hospital Association and named for the founding director of the Center for Law, Health & Society, Charity Scott, who generously endowed the award. “Unfortunately, I will be the last recipient chosen to receive this award during her lifetime,” said Young. “I never had the pleasure of meeting Professor Scott, but I am proud to be a part of her legacy as a recipient of this award.”
Audra Murphey (J.D. ’23) receives the HeLP Legal Services Clinic Award sponsored by the HeLP Advisory Council.
Nadia Hawk (J.D. ’23), Gregory Mercer (J.D. ’23), and Neena Molavi (J.D. ’24) received awards for superior performance in Health Law: Finance and Delivery and Health Law: Quality and Access. Audra Murphey (J.D. ’23) received the HeLP Legal Services Clinic Award sponsored by the HeLP Advisory Council. Alex Patafio (J.D. ’23) also received this award posthumously. The award is given for excellence in the delivery of legal services to low-income families served by the clinic.
In memory of Alex, the College of Law announced the Alex Patafio Public Interest Leadership Award. Its inaugural recipients were Zoe Siepert (J.D. ’23) and Dan Wingate (J.D. ’23).
Kathleen “Katie” Kassa was also recognized at the Honors Day Ceremony for receiving this year’s “Best Student Note.”
Alex Patafio (J.D. ’23) posthumously receives the HeLP Legal Services Clinic Award.
Her article on reducing opioid overdose deaths, “Reducing Harm: The Legal Viability of Supervised Consumption Sites in Georgia,” will be published in a forthcoming issue of the Georgia State University Law Review.
"We are proud to have such talented health law students," said Stacie Kershner, deputy director of the Center for Law, Health & Society. "It is a privilege to be able to celebrate their accomplishments on Honors Day and throughout the year."