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In Memoriam: Jack C. Wood 1933-2010
 Jack Calvin Wood, a pioneer in the legal specialty of health law, died September 12, 2010, at his home in Houston, TX. He was 77. Jack was born January 9, 1933 in Greenwood, Indiana, to Gertrude and Earl L. Wood. He graduated from DePauw University, Phi Beta Kappa, with a B.A. in 1954, and from Harvard Law School, summa cum laude, in 1962. Jack proudly served his country as a Naval officer.
Jack began his legal career with the Chicago-based firm of Hopkins, Sutter, Owen, Mulroy and Wentz where, in 1965, at the request of a firm client, a senior partner donated one year of Jack's time to the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word in Houston, Texas, to organize and advise the Order on the operation of 16 hospitals located from California to Texas to Louisiana. This assignment began a forty-five year journey as one of the founders of what is now the specialty of health law. Jack remained as the General Counsel for the Order until 1973, when he founded one of the first U.S. law firms dedicated to the practice of health law. His firm, later known as Wood, Lucksinger, and Epstein (WLE) , was considered a premier health law practice until 1991, when it was merged into the Firm of Vinson & Elkins. During Jack's practice he was recognized by his peers as a true leader in the developing specialty of health law and was a Founder, Board member, and President of the American Society of Hospital Attorneys (now the American Health Lawyers Association), the premier legal organization serving the healthcare industry. Jack was considered a lawyer's lawyer, always leading by example and always seemingly one step ahead of his peers by foreseeing issues which would impact the healthcare industry and advising his clients early and correctly on the proper course of legal action. He was a true giant in the complex and highly specialized practice of health law. He was a trailblazer for literally thousands of health law practitioners and will live in their memories forever. A health lawyer's resume that includes a WLE pedigree still symbolizes a health lawyer of distinguished credentials.
Jack is survived by a sister, Susan Carol Jersey, and nephew, Michael Jersey, of Macomb, Illinois, and numerous friends, former clients, and professional colleagues across the country. Special thanks and acknowledgements are extended to Jack's caretaker team, headed by Raven Lawrence.
A Memorial Service will be held at 10:00 a.m. CT on Monday, September 20, 2010, at Geo. H. Lewis & Sons, 1010 Bering Drive, Houston, TX 77057.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Abramson Center for the Future of Health, 6550 Fannin Street, Suite 1101, Houston, TX 77030, or to the charity of one's choice.
Send your tribute to Jack Wood by emailing Catherine Davis; a tribute will appear in the October issue of AHLA Connections magazine and will be included in our online tribute page.
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Recollections from friends and colleagues
Jack Wood was always larger than life …At the start of so many health lawyers' careers, he set a high bar as to what we aspired to. As a young associate at McDermott, the leader of our small practice would send me to presentations that Jack would be giving so that we would begin to know what he knew, understand how he approached issues, learn from his methodical dissection of complicated projects, and study his advocacy style. With his booming voice and impressive presence, he delivered quality on each count each time. It was always evident why a client would want him in his or her corner. He truly was a leader and a visionary-I feel privileged for having crossed his mighty path.
-Michael Anthony
I think many people have a "Jack Wood stories". When I was a young lawyer at the AMA and head of the Chicago Bar Association Young Lawyer's Health Law Section, Jack was very gracious and agreed to make to make a presentation to what was then a relatively small group of young lawyers. He flew in to Chicago on his own dime. Frankly, I can't remember the exact topic but I do remember there were many complicated graphs and diagrams which he explained with what I would call "Jack enthusiasm." My colleagues and I were extremely impressed and appreciative that he would make such a presentation for the benefit of young lawyers.
-Almeta Cooper
"It was my incredible good fortune to be blessed to have two of the most extraordinary mentors possible. The first was my Father, a disabled veteran of World War II, who demonstrated daily what it meant to be a member of the "Greatest Generation." The second was Jack C. Wood, who over time was known as "Mr. Wood," "Jack," or just "JCW"." It is to Jack that I attribute, first, my training, as an attorney and counselor, second, my development as a health law attorney, and third, my advancement within the organized health law bar. From training on stapling documents and setting the angle of the window blinds in our offices, to legal writing and oratory techniques and skills, JCW was the consummate mentor. His focus on the delivery of the highest quality legal services to each client was engrained from day one of my work with Jack. Concise and articulate written work product was his hallmark. Coupled with his physical presence, intimidating demeanor, constantly present cigar, and resonant voice, Jack was a health lawyer without peer. We will miss him and his genre."
-Gary Eiland
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