When Sentara Healthcare and Norfolk-based Virginia Oncology
Associates joined forces to launch state-of-the-art cancer
treatment centers, they called on T. Braxton McKee to
negotiate the legal aspects of the venture. An attorney
specializing in health care for more than two decades,
McKee has played a role in creating some of Hampton Roads'
most successful physician practices and health-care partnerships.
Cancer Centers of Virginia, the
2-year-old partnership between Sentara and Virginia
Oncology Associates, offers patients a wide variety
of cancer services, including diagnosis, multidisciplinary
treatments and support services, at sites in Virginia
Beach, Norfolk, Newport News and York County. McKee
believes the venture is crucial in improving cancer
care in the region. "Sentara's
whole cancer program is managed by Virginia Oncology
Associates," he notes. "Instead of five groups
running the cancer program, it's better to have one group
working with Sentara to optimize care."
Maureen McGrath, executive director
of Virginia Oncology Associates, has worked with McKee
for more than 12 years on issues ranging from the partnership
with Sentara to physician contracts and praises him
for his ability to think outside the box. "He is probably one of the
most outstanding attorneys with whom I have ever worked," says
McGrath. "He helps steer people in the right direction
and has an unusual ability to bring parties together
to consensus. When you're looking at a joint venture,
that's critical."
McKee, chairman of Kaufman & Canoles' Health Care
Practice Group, represents 1,500 to 2,000 physicians
in 18 states. He created the firm's health-care group
12 years ago, starting with a base of 200 doctors. Since
then, he has been involved in forming physician groups
affiliated with most of the major hospitals and health
systems in Hampton Roads. He also has helped create many
independent medical practices while representing hospitals,
skilled nursing facilities and other health-care providers. "It
was always my passion to try to make a difference in
the community," McKee says. "Health-care law
is actually improving and creating cancer programs and
ambulatory surgery centers. That increases access to
care and improves the quality of care."
McKee joined Kaufman & Canoles'
Norfolk office in 1984 after receiving his law degree
from the University of Virginia. He earned his bachelor's
degree in political science and history from the University
of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. McKee initially focused
on general business law, but he soon developed expertise
in Medicare fraud and abuse issues, serving as a lecturer
and expert witness in those areas.
A member of the National Health
Lawyers Association, McKee has witnessed many changes
in health care. "I've
seen where individual practices were very much of a cottage
industry," he says. "Kaufman and Canoles was
instrumental in getting the [Virginia] attorney general's
opinion on allowing hospitals to purchase private practices.
Now, you're seeing physicians getting into larger groups."
One of those groups took shape
in 1997 when Kaufman & Canoles
oversaw the merger of 11 independent Hampton Roads obstetrics/gynecology
physician groups into Mid-Atlantic Women's Care. "Because
of the cost of delivering care, larger groups share overhead
and are able to bring in more specialized people who
can deliver better care," McKee says.
In addition to Sentara, McKee
has worked with Bon Secours Health System and Riverside
Health System to develop ambulatory surgical centers.
He also has helped to integrate physician practices
with hospitals, giving doctors more oversight of how
health-care facilities are managed. "When
I first started, doctors did their thing. Hospitals did
their thing," he says.
"There was no coordinated
care. Doctors know what amount of care should be delivered
and [they] make sure the hospital does that."
McKee's grandfather and great-grandfather
were physicians. That heritage contributes to his efforts
to ensure that the doctors he represents receive fair
treatment. "No
one looks out for them," he says. "You want
to make sure they are protected and can participate in
these joint ventures."
Away from the office, McKee also is involved in medical
issues. He and his wife, Alison, are chairing the 2007
South Hampton Roads Gala for the American Heart Association
scheduled for March 31 at the Hilton Virginia Beach Oceanfront.
McKee is also past chairman of the Virginia Bar Association's
Health Law Council and chairs its Continuing Legal Education
Committee for the health-care section.
