Alma L Saravia

Scores of New Jersey healthcare professionals have turned to Alma L. Saravia for counsel on issues ranging from licensure and disciplinary matters, including those before the Board of Medical Examiners, to complex litigation matters. Her clients include physicians, nurses, chiropractors, hospitals, medical staffs, nursing homes and other healthcare organizations. 

Ms. Saravia is highly regarded in the field of healthcare law, both in the public and private sector. She is a former member of the Board of Medical Examiners and Ms. Saravia is one of the State’s most experienced attorneys in representing healthcare professionals before the licensing boards. 

Throughout her career, she has affected and effected on the progress of healthcare law in the state as a lobbyist, as the former chairperson of and director of various governmental agencies, and as the catalyst for important legislative changes. Among other significant pieces of legislation, she is credited with spearheading the enactment of the state’s joint negotiation law, which allowed physicians and dentists to engage in joint negotiations with managed care entities.  Ms. Saravia also served as special counsel for clients in drafting healthcare regulations and legislation. 

A frequent lecturer and author, Ms. Saravia regularly presents on topics including telemedicine credentialing and privileging, medical staff bylaws, physician representation and The Affordable Care Act.  Most recently, she co-authored anarticle for the New Jersey Law Journal focused on New Jersey's recent "crack down" on physicians who allegedly over prescribe pain medications and it highlighted strategies and thoughts on policy issues. She also co-authored a chapter in the Health Care Dispute Resolution Manual titled, “External Review of Health Plan Decisions.” Ms. Saravia is a long-time columnist for the Camden County Medical Society “Bulletin.” 

An advocate for women, Ms. Saravia serves on the Eagleton Institute of Politics, Senator Wynona Lipman Chair in Women’s in Political Leadership Committee. She authored an article on “Life Lessons in Leadership” to coincide with the Senator Wynona M. Lipman lecture by Valerie Jarrett, senior adviser to President Barack Obama. She is also on the Board of Directors of Pam’s List, a New Jersey fundraising network dedicated to promoting opportunities for democratic women candidates for office. 

Ms. Saravia attended Rutgers University where she received a B.A. in 1975 and an M.S.W. in Social Policy Analysis in 1979. She earned her J.D. degree from Rutgers University School of Law-Camden in 1986.