Retired judge Scott Donaldson accepts new role at DCH Health System

The DCH Health System announced the system has appointed a retired judge with extensive Tuscaloosa ties as its new general counsel.

Scott Donaldson, a former Alabama Court of Civil Appeals judge, has been named the DCH Health System's general counsel. His appointment will take effect on Sept. 5.

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Donaldson served nearly 18 years in the Alabama legal system. During that time, he has served as trial court and appellate court judge, including sitting on the bench of the Alabama Court of Civil Appeals for eight years. He also served as circuit judge of the Sixth Judicial Circuit in Alabama for 10 years. As a judge and lawyer, Donaldson participated in hundreds of bench trials and at least 160 jury trials.

“We are excited to have such a giant of the Alabama legal community join us as we continue to grow,” said Katrina Keefer, DCH Health System president and CEO, in an Aug. 17 news release.

"To have someone of Judge Donaldson’s stature join our team reflects our growing reputation in the medical community. We couldn’t be happier he chose to join us since he could have worked anywhere he wanted after leaving the bench,” Keefer said.

In his new role as general counsel, Donaldson will oversee the system's legal matters, including contracts, medical staff credentialing and peer review, regulatory compliance, counsel to the board of directors and more.

"The patient caregivers, physicians, and other healthcare professionals in the DCH Health System do extraordinary work night and day to care for the people of Tuscaloosa County and the West Alabama area," Donaldson said.

"... Keefer has assembled an experienced, hard-working and dedicated administrative team to support them in their mission of service. I am excited to be a part of that team," he said.

Before his appointment as a trial judge, Donaldson provided legal counsel for medical staffs and hospitals, including the DCH Health System. During that time, he worked regularly with DCH administrators, medical care providers and employees of the health system. Those efforts included many of the responsibilities that will be part of his new role with DCH, including contract and other document drafting, legal services to medical staff committees, advice on medical issues, including regulatory compliance, and more.

Donaldson also taught at the University of Alabama School of Law from 2006 to 2022. Additionally, he taught or served in other areas including teaching a business law class for several years in UA’s College of Commerce and Business Administration.

"Judge Donaldson already knows and understands us. He knows the DCH Health System. He knows our personnel. He knows health care. He knows the law. Because of that experience, Scott can hit the ground running on the first day, making him the ideal candidate for the job of general counsel," Keefer said.

Donaldson earned a bachelor’s degree in commerce and business administration from the University of Alabama in 1981. He received his juris doctorate from Cumberland School of Law in Birmingham, where he graduated cum laude in 1984 and became a member of the Curia Honoris honor society.

Reach Jasmine Hollie at JHollie@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Retired Tuscaloosa judge joins DCH Health System in new role