CMHHLA

CMHHLA, the Center for Medical Humanities, Health Law and Advocacy, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to interdisciplinary scholarship and policy engagement at the intersection of medicine, humanities, and health law. Established in 2010 in Boston by academics and clinicians, it operates as a cross-sector platform for researchers, practitioners, and students. The organization focuses on examining ethical, legal, and social dimensions of health care and medical research, with an emphasis on patient-centered care, rights, and equity.

CMHHLA conducts research projects, disseminates findings through reports and an open-access journal, and hosts conferences and workshops to foster collaboration across disciplines. It maintains an online repository of case studies, policy briefs, and teaching materials intended for educators, clinicians, lawyers, and policymakers. The organization also offers training programs for students and early-career professionals.

Governance is provided by a volunteer board of directors, an executive director, and several program committees overseeing research, education, and outreach. Membership is open to individuals, academic departments, hospitals, and non-profit partners. The organization relies on foundation grants, government contracts, and dues from institutional members for funding, along with sponsorships from conferences.

CMHHLA has been involved in policy briefs addressing patient rights, consent in research, and accessibility in health care. It is generally regarded as a bridge between humanities-based inquiry and practical health policy, though it faces common critiques in the non-profit sector regarding funding transparency and measurable impact.