Apriél Powell Martin’s interest in health care began long before law school. Upon graduating Langston University with a healthcare administration degree and from her tenure at Memorial Hermann Healthcare System, she honed her skills in managed care health insurance serving as a physician contracting liaison, working with an 800-member physician group. This experience fostered a deep appreciation for the healthcare industry— from both the provider and patient perspectives. One of her many memorable professional experiences at Memorial Hermann was training the late renowned trauma surgeon, Dr. James “Red” Duke on the system’s newly implemented electronic medical records platform.
After graduating from Thurgood Marshall School of Law and passing the Texas bar the same year, Apriél embarked on a dynamic legal career. She was fortunate enough to land a position at the Galveston County District Attorney’s Office, which was key in polishing her courtroom and prosecution skills as an assistant district attorney. While an ADA, she prosecuted both misdemeanor and felony criminal cases. Notably, she was promoted to chief of the Bond Forfeiture Division, securing the largest bond recovery judgment for the county at that time.
Following the DA’s office, her path then led her to St. Luke’s Hospital System, where she served as a privacy attorney. In this capacity, Apriél trained clinicians on HIPAA compliance, skillfully mitigated privacy and security issues, safeguarding patients and successfully defending the hospital system against federal agency allegations. Her dedication earned her the title of Corporate Trainer of the Year. She then transitioned to management and assumed the role of assistant vice president, overseeing health insurance contracting, credentialing, and board governance for a network of 1,200 physicians. She was instrumental in attaining one of the first large-scale value-based contracts for the health system.
Her leadership extended to an academic hospital system affiliated with the UT Health System as a legal officer. There, she worked on innovative healthcare arrangements and risk management, and directed malpractice defense.
During the pandemic, Apriél’s expertise became even more critical. As chief legal counsel for MD Medical Associates, she grappled with the ever-evolving health laws and regulations spun from COVID-19. Additionally, she appeared as a guest on the Rickey Smiley Morning Show, discussing health law changes and advance directives— a segment that resonated with a 3 million-strong listening audience.
Apriél’s current position as general counsel—Medicaid attorney spans four markets, with the Texas market being the largest. She deftly manages federal and state contracts and program initiatives, totaling over $1 billion.
Apriél has a heart and passion for community service. She has served on the Harris County Drug Court (now Justice Forward) Board and the advisory committee for the Young Mother Residential Program at Project Row Houses. She has also found great joy serving alongside other like-minded professional women as she has held national, regional and local positions with Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated and The Links, Incorporated. Her professional accolades have earned her the title of Distinguished Alumnus of Thurgood Marshall School of Law, where now she is an adjunct health law professor. Alongside her sister, Dr. Adrianne Powell, she co-hosts the web series “Powell Power Hour,” educating communities on medical-legal matters and empowering them to navigate the healthcare system.
Apriél Powell Martin
Attorney
UnitedHealthcare
O: 415-943-3582
www.uhc.com
