Michigan Law’s Law Quadrangle: Christopher Wendt, ’98: At the Intersection of Immigration and Health Care Workers

This profile, published in the Summer 2026 edition of Law Quadrangle, features Counsel Christopher Wendt (Michigan Law ’98), who recently joined Fragomen after spending nearly 23 years as immigration counsel at Mayo Clinic.

Chris explores the critical intersection between immigration law and healthcare workforce needs, particularly the role that internationally trained physicians play in addressing physician shortages across the United States. He explains that immigrant doctors are essential to maintaining access to care, especially in rural and underserved communities, where foreign-trained physicians make up a significant portion of the healthcare workforce.

The discussion also focuses on the growing complexity of healthcare immigration, including navigating changing visa policies, travel restrictions, temporary protected status issues and evolving regulatory requirements that affect hospitals’ ability to recruit and retain talent. Chris discusses his role in helping healthcare organizations anticipate and respond to these changes.

Finally, the profile highlights Chris’ commitment to public service through his appointment as the inaugural chair of the Minnesota State Board of Civil Legal Aid, where he is helping build a new framework for delivering legal aid and addressing unmet legal needs across the state.

Read the full profile here.