Mario Ramirez

What We DoWho We Are Insights Join UsSubscribe Opportunity & Inclusion Environmental Sustainability Pro Bono About Akin Leadership Client Value Awards & Accolades Alumni Locations All Locations North America Boston Chicago Dallas Fort Worth Houston Irvine Los Angeles New York Philadelphia San Antonio San Francisco Washington, D. C. Asia Hong Kong Singapore Europe Geneva London Middle East Abu Dhabi Dubai Riyadh Close navigation What We DoWho We Are Insights Join UsOpportunity & Inclusion Environmental Sustainability Pro Bono Alumni Locations Subscribe Follow us Who We Are Mario Luis Ramirez Mario Luis Ramirez Consultant Send Emailv Card Washington, D. C.+1 202.877.4000 Areas of Focus Lobbying & Public Policy Regulatory Health Care & Life Sciences Health Care Innovations Health Care Regulatory Compliance Counseling Health Policy & Legislation Digital Health Lobbying & Public Policy Regulatory Health Care & Life Sciences Health Care Innovations Health Care Regulatory Compliance Counseling Health Policy & Legislation Digital Health Emerging Technologies Life Sciences Intellectual Property National Security Pro Bono View More Mario Luis Ramirez Consultant Send Emailv [email protected] Washington, D. C.+1 202.877.4000 Washington, D. C.+1 202.877.4000 Areas of Focus Lobbying & Public Policy Regulatory Health Care & Life Sciences Health Care Innovations Health Care Regulatory Compliance Counseling Lobbying & Public Policy Regulatory Health Care & Life Sciences Health Care Innovations Health Care Regulatory Compliance Counseling Health Policy & Legislation Digital Health Emerging Technologies Life Sciences Intellectual Property National Security Pro Bono View More Save as PDFPrint Page Share This Biography Share This Biography Linked InBiography Credentials Affiliations Insights Areas of Focus Lobbying & Public Policy Regulatory Health Care & Life Sciences Health Care Innovations Health Care Regulatory Compliance Counseling Lobbying & Public Policy Regulatory Health Care & Life Sciences Health Care Innovations Health Care Regulatory Compliance Counseling Health Policy & Legislation Digital Health Emerging Technologies Life Sciences Intellectual Property National Security Pro Bono View More Biography Actively practicing physician with extensive experience working in government, clinical settings and private companies with a robust understanding of emergency medicine, the public policy and clinical medicine interface, disaster response and biosecurity. Military physician veteran with combat experience and deep understanding of veteran and military health issues. Counsels health system, pharmaceutical and therapeutic device clients impacted by health policy and regulation across the federal government. Leverages background to provide clinical analysis in utilization review cases, perform due diligence and communicate with scientific audiences on a number of topics. Former White House Fellow and acting director of the Office of Pandemic and Emerging Threats at Health and Human Services. Dr. Mario Ramirez is an actively practicing physician with an extensive background working in government, clinical settings and private companies with a robust understanding of emergency medicine, the public policy and clinical medicine interface, disaster response and biosecurity. With significant corporate and government experience, hands-on clinical knowledge and extensive s in the Biden-Harris administration, Mario is an invaluable asset to health system, pharmaceutical and biotechnology clients seeking the perspective of a medical expert as they navigate legal and policy issues, scientific findings and business decisions related to health care and the life sciences. Additionally, Mario has considerable experience advising clients in private equity, health security and public health fields and working in and with the federal government, medical centers, startups, education, and the medical and scientific communities. Mario currently serves as the managing director of Opportunity Labs, a management consulting firm working across the education, health care and housing sectors to catalyze opportunity development for disadvantaged Americans. He is also a Future Ed senior fellow at Georgetown University, an assistant clinical professor in emergency medicine at Vanderbilt University and the chief medical officer for Affirm Health, Inc., a growing organization that delivers software solutions and partners with medical professionals to effectively and efficiently monitor subscription drug use and combat prescription drug abuse. During the Obama administration, Mario concurrently served as a White House Fellow for Health and Human Services (HHS), assigned directly to Secretary Sylvia Burwell, and acting director of the HHS Office of Global Affairs Office of Pandemic and Emerging Threats. In these roles, he advised on international issues of emerging concern, including Ebola, MERS, pandemic influenza, dual-use research of concern, synthetic biology, biosecurity and antimicrobial resistance. As a leader under Secretary Burwell, Mario served as an HHS interface to the White House on issues of international public health safety, coordinating efforts with the World Health Organization (WHO) and other multilateral bodies, and served on the HHS Ebola response unit. Mario previously served as a chief medical development officer at Briovation, an innovation catalyst and seed stage investment fund seeking to transform the health care marketplace; a chief operating officer for Health Security Partners, an organization that seeks to globally improve biosecurity and biodefense where national security and public health intersect; a major in the United States Air Force as an emergency physician and flight surgeon; a medical consultant for the Terrorism Research Center, Inc.; a research fellow at the Monterey Institute of International Studies Center for Nonproliferation Studies, focusing on the chemical and biological weapons nonproliferation program; and a research associate at Massachusetts General Hospital. Mario has significant clinical experience from his work at INOVA Fairfax Hospital, Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center, Centennial Medical Center, Stone Crest Medical Center and Sibley Memorial Hospital. A notable figure on emergency medicine and COVID-19, Mario is a frequent television commentator and author in mainstream media, medical journals and trade press. His teaching experiences include roles of increasing responsibility at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine and John Hopkins University School of Medicine. He has also taught cadets at the Nashville Police Academy and first responders with the Nashville Fire Department. Languages Spanish Education M. D., Harvard University, 2007 M. P. P., Harvard University, 2007 B. S., Stanford University, 2002 Affiliations and Public Service Acting Director, HHS Office of Global Affairs Office of Pandemic and Emerging Threats White House Fellow, HHS Major, Emergency Medicine Physician and Flight Surgeon, United States Air Force Insights and Achievements Services, Sectors, and Regions Podcasts OnAir: Health Care December 1, 2022 Telehealth: The Policy, the Politics, and Outlook for Action Read More Services, Sectors, and Regions Podcasts OnAir: Health Care October 26, 2022 Rare Disease; Rarer Organization: How EB Research Partnership Drives Rare Disease Research Read More Services, Sectors, and Regions Publications Alerts September 26, 2022 Telehealth: Here Now, Gone Tomorrow?Read More Services, Sectors, and Regions Publications Alerts December 11, 2025 Artificial Intelligence in Clinical Decision-Making: Regulatory Roadmap and Reimbursement Strat...Read More Services, Sectors, and Regions Publications Alerts November 24, 2025 Healthcare Workforce Crisis: Federal and State Policy Responses to Shortages and H-1B Visa Restrictions Read More Services, Sectors, and Regions Publications Alerts January 2, 2024 Unfinished Health Care Business: 10 Issues to Watch as Congress Rings in the New Year Read More Services, Sectors, and Regions News Press Releases November 10, 2023 Akin and Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease Foundation Establish CJD Awareness DayRead More Services, Sectors, and Regions Publications Alerts August 31, 202310 Health Issues to Watch as Congress Returns from August Recess Read More Services, Sectors, and Regions Podcasts OnAir: Health Care February 28, 2023 The View from Geneva: A TRIPS Waiver Update Read More Services, Sectors, and Regions Publications Alerts February 10, 2023 A Potential Once-in-a-Lifetime Treaty: The Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response Accord ...Read More Services, Sectors, and Regions Publications Alerts January 6, 2023 Preparedness Policy Takes Shape: PREVENT Pandemics Act Enacted Ahead of PAHPA Reauthorization Read More Services, Sectors, and Regions Publications Alerts January 5, 2023 Congressional Health Policy Outlook for 2023 Read More Services, Sectors, and Regions Podcasts OnAir: Health Care December 1, 2022 Telehealth: The Policy, the Politics, and Outlook for Action Read More Services, Sectors, and Regions Podcasts OnAir: Health Care October 26, 2022 Rare Disease; Rarer Organization: How EB Research Partnership Drives Rare Disease Research Read More Services, Sectors, and Regions Publications Alerts September 26, 2022 Telehealth: Here Now, Gone Tomorrow?Read More Services, Sectors, and Regions Publications Alerts December 11, 2025 Artificial Intelligence in Clinical Decision-Making: Regulatory Roadmap and Reimbursement Strat...Read More Services, Sectors, and Regions Publications Alerts November 24, 2025 Healthcare Workforce Crisis: Federal and State Policy Responses to Shortages and H-1B Visa Restrictions Read More Services, Sectors, and Regions Publications Alerts January 2, 2024 Unfinished Health Care Business: 10 Issues to Watch as Congress Rings in the New Year Read More Services, Sectors, and Regions News Press Releases November 10, 2023 Akin and Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease Foundation Establish CJD Awareness DayRead More Services, Sectors, and Regions Publications Alerts August 31, 202310 Health Issues to Watch as Congress Returns from August Recess Read More Services, Sectors, and Regions Podcasts OnAir: Health Care February 28, 2023 The View from Geneva: A TRIPS Waiver Update Read More Services, Sectors, and Regions Publications Alerts February 10, 2023 A Potential Once-in-a-Lifetime Treaty: The Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response Accord ...Read More Services, Sectors, and Regions Publications Alerts January 6, 2023 Preparedness Policy Takes Shape: PREVENT Pandemics Act Enacted Ahead of PAHPA Reauthorization Read More Services, Sectors, and Regions Publications Alerts January 5, 2023 Congressional Health Policy Outlook for 2023 Read More Services, Sectors, and Regions Podcasts OnAir: Health Care December 1, 2022 Telehealth: The Policy, the Politics, and Outlook for Action Read More Services, Sectors, and Regions Podcasts OnAir: Health Care October 26, 2022 Rare Disease; Rarer Organization: How EB Research Partnership Drives Rare Disease Research Read More Services, Sectors, and Regions Publications Alerts September 26, 2022 Telehealth: Here Now, Gone Tomorrow?Read More View All Insights Services, Sectors, and Regions Podcasts OnAir: Health Care December 1, 2022 Telehealth: The Policy, the Politics, and Outlook for Action Read More Services, Sectors, and Regions Podcasts OnAir: Health Care October 26, 2022 Rare Disease; Rarer Organization: How EB Research Partnership Drives Rare Disease Research Read More Services, Sectors, and Regions Publications Alerts September 26, 2022 Telehealth: Here Now, Gone Tomorrow?Read More Services, Sectors, and Regions Publications Alerts December 11, 2025 Artificial Intelligence in Clinical Decision-Making: Regulatory Roadmap and Reimbursement Strategies Read More Services, Sectors, and Regions Publications Alerts November 24, 2025 Healthcare Workforce Crisis: Federal and State Policy Responses to Shortages and H-1B Visa Restrictions Read More Services, Sectors, and Regions Publications Alerts January 2, 2024 Unfinished Health Care Business: 10 Issues to Watch as Congress Rings in the New Year Read More Services, Sectors, and Regions News Press Releases November 10, 2023 Akin and Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease Foundation Establish CJD Awareness DayRead More Services, Sectors, and Regions Publications Alerts August 31, 202310 Health Issues to Watch as Congress Returns from August Recess Read More Services, Sectors, and Regions Podcasts OnAir: Health Care February 28, 2023 The View from Geneva: A TRIPS Waiver Update Read More Services, Sectors, and Regions Publications Alerts February 10, 2023 A Potential Once-in-a-Lifetime Treaty: The Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response Accord Heats Up in Geneva Read More Services, Sectors, and Regions Publications Alerts January 6, 2023 Preparedness Policy Takes Shape: PREVENT Pandemics Act Enacted Ahead of PAHPA Reauthorization Read More Services, Sectors, and Regions Publications Alerts January 5, 2023 Congressional Health Policy Outlook for 2023 Read More Services, Sectors, and Regions Podcasts OnAir: Health Care December 1, 2022 Telehealth: The Policy, the Politics, and Outlook for Action Read More Services, Sectors, and Regions Podcasts OnAir: Health Care October 26, 2022 Rare Disease; Rarer Organization: How EB Research Partnership Drives Rare Disease Research Read More Services, Sectors, and Regions Publications Alerts September 26, 2022 Telehealth: Here Now, Gone Tomorrow?Read More Services, Sectors, and Regions Publications Alerts December 11, 2025 Artificial Intelligence in Clinical Decision-Making: Regulatory Roadmap and Reimbursement Strategies Read More Services, Sectors, and Regions Publications Alerts November 24, 2025 Healthcare Workforce Crisis: Federal and State Policy Responses to Shortages and H-1B Visa Restrictions Read More Services, Sectors, and Regions Publications Alerts January 2, 2024 Unfinished Health Care Business: 10 Issues to Watch as Congress Rings in the New Year Read More Services, Sectors, and Regions News Press Releases November 10, 2023 Akin and Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease Foundation Establish CJD Awareness DayRead More Services, Sectors, and Regions Publications Alerts August 31, 202310 Health Issues to Watch as Congress Returns from August Recess Read More Services, Sectors, and Regions Podcasts OnAir: Health Care February 28, 2023 The View from Geneva: A TRIPS Waiver Update Read More Services, Sectors, and Regions Publications Alerts February 10, 2023 A Potential Once-in-a-Lifetime Treaty: The Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response Accord Heats Up in Geneva Read More Services, Sectors, and Regions Publications Alerts January 6, 2023 Preparedness Policy Takes Shape: PREVENT Pandemics Act Enacted Ahead of PAHPA Reauthorization Read More Services, Sectors, and Regions Publications Alerts January 5, 2023 Congressional Health Policy Outlook for 2023 Read More Services, Sectors, and Regions Podcasts OnAir: Health Care December 1, 2022 Telehealth: The Policy, the Politics, and Outlook for Action Read More Services, Sectors, and Regions Podcasts OnAir: Health Care October 26, 2022 Rare Disease; Rarer Organization: How EB Research Partnership Drives Rare Disease Research Read More Services, Sectors, and Regions Publications Alerts September 26, 2022 Telehealth: Here Now, Gone Tomorrow?Read More View All Insights Related Content People Distinguished by our areas of focus, as a cohesive and integrated firm, we are defined by the caliber of our work, the responsiveness of our service and a culture that is rooted in collaboration and forward-thinking. Meet Our People We Also Recommend Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Services Sectors Global Reach Innovation in Focus Trending Topics Who We Are Join UsInsights Responsible Business About Akin Locations Alumni Legal Notices Privacy Policy Cookie Notice RSSEmployee Login Attorney Advertising 2026 Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP