Independent Articles “Stress Off Our Shoulders”: A Qualitative Pilot Study of a Neonatal Medical-Legal Partnership , Lauren Mutrie2, Eline Lenne3, Alinda Reimer4, Browning Haynes2, Yesenia Morales2, and Susanne Klawetter1 Ladawna Gievers2 1Psychiatry, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus School of Medicine, United States; 2Oregon Health & Science University School of Medicine, United States; 3University of Amsterdam, Netherlands and 4University Hospital Cologne, Germany Abstract Objective: Medical-Legal Partnerships (MLPs) integrate attorneys into health care settings to provide free legal care for low-income families. Our objective was to explore MLP client experiences of a neonatal MLP integrated into a neonatal intensive care unit and fetal care program. Study Design: We used a qualitative descriptive inquiry methodological approach to conduct interviews with clients of the neonatal MLP clients. Interviews were conducted via telephone, recorded, and transcribed. We conducted a reflexive thematic analysis of the data. Results: Sixteen neonatal MLP clients completed qualitative interviews. We found that MLPs may facilitate supportive, holistic, and interdisciplinary care that mitigates parental distress and addresses structural barriers to family stability. The program would be improved with more transparency, capacity, and visibility. Conclusion: Medical-Legal Partnerships offer an innovative strategy to address social determinants with legal implications that impact the health and well-being of neonatal intensive care unit and fetal care therapy patients and families. Keywords: neonatal intensive care unit; social determinants of health; health-harming legal needs; lawyers; Medical-Legal Partnership

New on FirstView: “'Stress Off Our Shoulders': A Qualitative Pilot Study of a Neonatal Medical-Legal Partnership" by Susanne Klawetter, Lauren Mutrie, Eline Lenne, Alinda Reimer, Browning Haynes, Yesenia Morales, and Ladawna Gievers. #MedicalLegalPartnership www.cambridge.org/core/journal...

First week for UI HEAL, our new #medicallegalpartnership to support patients and families of #UIC Medicine at UI Health by providing legal representations and referrals, provider training, & advocacy. I'm joined by Juan Garibay, MPH, JD and next week our #uiclaw extern Meagan Bostek.

Employee Spotlight. Headshot of Cody Ciura, Staff Attorney for the Medical-Legal Partnership.

Cody's Journey: I was the first person in my family to go to college, so it was a trailblazing experience for me. I received a scholarship offer and then a fellowship award at the University of Wisconsin Law School. While I was a student, I had a lot of volunteer experience at legal clinics very similar to what we do here at NLS, which only increased my love for helping individuals in unfortunate situations. When I came back to Buffalo, I knew I wanted to work in a public service capacity. Homegrown Advocate: Growing up on the East side of Buffalo, my family and I experienced a lot of the same situations as our clients - dealing with DSS, the threat of evictions, waiting in line for things like HEAP, struggling to receive child support. Through my experiences, I can really relate with our clients and identify what they’re going through.

Cabrini Champion: The most important part of my job is putting a client’s mind at ease. The MLP unit assists with clients who are also patients at one of our medical partners. I work with patients of the Catholic Health systems and Catholic Charities. These clients are under so much stress, and I like to assure them, “you’re working with me and I’ll cover this for you.” It’s one less thing on their mind. Some clients may be going under surgery, for example, and are worried about what might happen. They want to get a will completed before and that’s just one less stressor before going into the procedure. Barriers and Successes: Access to transportation and understanding documentation are some of our biggest barriers. These clients might be sick or disabled and can’t travel. DSS requires so much paperwork that they don’t always understand. A lot of times they haven’t done these things before. I always make sure to go over everything by phone or in person to make sure they get it.

Got a backup mike right here: My favorite holiday is Halloween. I enjoy dressing up in costumes and usually go for something funny. One of my most memorable was when I was Joe Dirt. Image of Joe Dirt. Go Bills: My phone wallpaper right now is a photo of Ralph Wilson Stadium. I’m a huge Bills fan and there have been a lot of painful years. It’s a blessing that they’re finally good. Best Fish Fry in WNY: Wiechec’s in Kaisertown. Image of Wiechec's fish fry.

When you're dealing with a medical issue, your focus should be on healing. MLP attorney Cody is here to take legal concerns off your plate so you can concentrate on what's really important. ♥️
#EmployeeSpotlight #MedicalLegalPartnership

Healthcare Clinical Legal Fellow (Postdoctoral Research Associate) - Department of Medicine Position SummaryThe UIC Department of Medicine seeks to hire a two-year postdoctoral research associate to serve as a clinical legal fellow to begin i...

Hiring a legal fellow for a new UIC medical legal partnership! Help patients/families, work w/students, contribute to addressing health-harming legal needs. Please circulate to colleagues who might be interested. #medicallegalpartnership #healthlaw #publicinterestlaw

uic.csod.com/ux/ats/caree...

Helping Patients Navigate Healthier Lives through Legal Interventions: Medical-Legal Partnerships in Community Health Centers | Geiger Gibson Program in Community Health | Milken Institute School of P... This new data note provides an overview of the Medical-Legal Partnership (MLP) model, describes its adaptability to a variety of health care settings, and highlights the ways that MLPs advance the hea...

📊 A new data note explores how the MLP model advances health and justice in community health centers: geigergibson.publichealth.gwu.edu/helping-pati...

#communityhealthcenter #chcs #fqhc #ValueCHCs #MedicalLegalPartnership #mlp #healthjustice

"Neighborhood Legal Services and US Dept of Veteran Affairs logos over an American flag image. Medical-legal partnership. Housing and family: Evictions, Discrimination, Divorce, Custody, Support. Benefits and disability: SNAP, Temporary Assistance, SSI, SSDI, Service-Related Disabilities. Estate planning: Wills, POA, Healthcare Proxy. And more! Discharge Upgrades, Name Changes, Referrals, etc. nls.org or phone 716.847.0650"

Did you know that our Medical-Legal Partnership provides legal services for veterans? Give us a ☎️ to see how we can help!
#MHAM2025 #MedicalLegalPartnership #Veterans

Doctor and patient photo. Medical-Legal Partnership Catholic Health & Catholic Charities; NLS can help with: housing & family, benefits & disability, estate planning, and more! Contact us now. 716.847.0650; nls.org

Patient Path has you covered! If you're a patient of Catholic Health, give us a ☎️ to find out how we can take legal stressors off your plate.

#MHAM2025 #MedicalLegalPartnership

Medical-Legal Partnership, Neighborhood Legal Services and Roswell Park Comprehensive Care Center; Image of doctor and patient; Our services - housing & family: Evictions, Discrimination, Divorce, Custody, Support; Benefits & Disability: SNAP, Temporary Assistance, SSI, SSDI; Estate Planning: Wills, POA, Healthcare Proxy; and more! Name Changes, Referrals, etc.; Learn more 716.847.0650 and nls.org

Are you a patient, caretaker, or loved one of a patient at Roswell? Learn more about how NLS can help ease your mind while you focus on healing!

#MHAM2025 #MedicalLegalPartnership

Medical Legal Partnership: NLS logo + Evergreen Health logo; We provide free legal services to help you overcome societal barriers keeping you from achieving your best health outcome.; Housing, Family, Benefits, Disability, Estate Planning, Name Changes; Contact us 716.847.0650; images of doctor and patient, happy family, and lawyer and client

It’s hard to take care of yourself when there are more pressing matters demanding your attention. Our 🌟 team is here to help Evergreen Health patients with legal issues so you can focus on healing!
#MHAM2025 #MedicalLegalPartnership