Health Rights Clinic - Students

The Health Rights Clinic is ideal for students who are ready to: represent real clients in real cases, work collaboratively with health care professionals to help clients, make a difference in people’s lives with Social Security Disability Hearings, Immigration cases, Medical/Food Security cases, and help people with disabilities including HIV/AIDS.

Requirements, Time Commitment, Credits

Seminar: The seminar component of the Health Rights Clinic provides substantive instruction in the clinic's primary practice areas and skills training. The seminar also includes live client mock hearings and clinical "case rounds" designed to reinforce substantive training and to emphasize real-world professional responsibility issues.

Accordion Group

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  • FALL/SPRING

    • The Health Rights Clinic is a two-semester, twelve-credit course.
    • Students are required to spend 18 to 24 hours per week on clinic related work.
    • Students are required to attend weekly case supervision/case round meetings.
    • Clinic class meets for two hours once a week.

  • SUMMER

    • The Health Rights Clinic is a one-semester, six-credit course.
    • Students are required to spend 40 hours per week on clinic related work.
    • Students are required to attend weekly case supervision/case round meetings.
    • Clinic class meets for two hours once a week.

Lawyering Skills Students Develop

Students develop lawyering skills as they conduct all aspects of the client's case including:

  • Developing a case theory and a case plan for all cases; learning how to organize, manage and triage a case load
  • Conducting an empathetic client-centered interview that accurately identifies client goals and needs
  • Demonstrating sensitivity to race and cultural diversity issues and recognizing and resolving ethical issues
  • Conducting thorough and accurate legal research and communicating and advocating effectively in writing and orally
  • Being able to marshal correct and necessary facts for effective representation
  • Creating and maintaining well-documented client files both paper and electronic
  • Becoming a reflective practitioner and effective problem-solver who can think on one's feet
  • Working as part of a team and conducting oneself in a professional manner with integrity and honesty at all times
  • Exhibiting diligence and punctuality
  • Conducting a hearing, if necessary

How Students Benefit from the Medical-Legal Partnership

Collaborate directly with medical professionals – UM Miller School of Medicine medical students, fellows, residents and psychiatrists – to evaluate cases and obtain evidence for clients.

Experience cross-training with medical residents in each other's disciplines – physicians teach at the law school and law students teach at the medical school; also medical students can take this clinic as a clinical rotation offering.

Work together as legal-medical team to review and examine relevant medical records, charts and (for example, termination of life prolonging treatments or loss of mental capacity)

Student Interns

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  • Interns

    Summer 2017

     

    Amanda Hunter Norris, Joshua Neuman, Emma Cole, Angela Barnett, Austin Holzknecht, Natalia Patino

    Fall 2016 – Spring 2017

     

    Daniel Piscottano, Lilly Balik, Joshua Mandel, Nicole Portnov, Gina Brignola, Christopher Ajizian, Lindsay Abbondandolo, Mark Lindemann, Kathryn Della Fera, Christopher Fraga, Kristin Kepler, James Valencia
    Top: Steven Dickstein and Jazmine Dykes

     

    Christina Garcia, Daniel Piscottano, Lilly Balik, Joshua Mandel, Gina Brignola, Christopher Ajizian, Lindsay Abbondandolo, Mark Lindemann, Kathryn Della Fera, Christopher Fraga, Kristin Kepler, James Valencia
    Top: Steven Dickstein and Jazmine Dykes

    Summer 2016

     

    L to R - Zachary Applebaum, Tiffany Toomey, Rafael Mas, Sarah Manimalethu, Roman Sarangoulis, Colby Barton, Shari Munroe

    Fall 2015-Spring 2016

     

    Front: L to R Issac Riddle, Sarah, Brittany, Linet Suarez, Anthony Moreland, Lexi Mazer, Kelly Shami, Stephanie
    Back: L to R JP Shami, Ian McKenzie, Princess Manasseh, Elijah Waring, Rafael Mas, Paul Witkiewitz

    Summer 2015

     

    L to R - Nicole Pecorella, Devon Frampton, Drew Sarangoulis, Princess Manasseh, Luiz Miranda, Marlon Baquedano

    Fall 2014-Spring 2015

     

    Michelle Obando, Donald Lavinge, Tara Irani, Mary Stevens, Douglas L., Kemi I., Diana Jordan, Dede Akiti, Zach Lipshultz, Jessica Melendez, Lindsay Nelson, Jocelyn Ezratty, Brasilia Echevarria, Rachel Streitfeld, Roodelyne Davilmar, Ashley George, Michael Deutsch

    Summer 2014

    L to R back – Andres Zornosa, Vanessa Joseph, Edgard Cespedes 
    L to R front – Ivana Alvarez, Brenda Corrales

    Fall 2013 – Spring 2014

    L to R back – Erin Hoover, Jason Hayet, Kanchi Doshi, William Mueller, Casaundra Johnson, Niki-Suzette Velazquez, Rebecca Greenfield, Alissa Gold, Noel Pace
    L to R front – Lisandra Estevez, Bethany Bandstra, Alexis Mena, Krystle Diaz, Jenna Feldman

    Summer 2013

    L to R back – Albert Arguello (Administrative Assistant), Jamey Campellone, Julien Apollon, Justin Roberts, Jose Vazquez, Frank Whitaker, Roman Dodd
    L to R front – Christopher Papa, Ellen Dumas, Marlene Palomo, Stephanie Vicotero, Estefania Barcia, Nicole Pecorella, Prospero Castellanos

    Fall 2012-Spring 2013

    L to R back – Shay Cohen, Jeremy Rones, Ryan Foley, David Werner, Eric Kegley, Kevin Yombor, Danny McDonnell, Alex Wagner, Brian Abergel
    L to R front – Christina Margolles, Steven Vezos, Christopher Collins, Sarah Hoyt, Allison Brede, Mary Stevens, Samantha Mandel, Gabriela Rosell, Jaime Fromson, Rachel Walker, Robert Bernstein, Jeffrey Schnedar

    Summer 2012

    L to R back – Vanessa Alpizar (Paralegal), Rachel Walker, Dana Johnson, Dr. Regina Carney (Forensic Psychiatry Fellow), Alison Rioux, Julie Salzinger
    L to R front – Christopher Papa, Brian Heit, Alexander Plumage, Corey Gray, Joseph Bendel, Ross Heft, Stephen Allen, Frantz Destin, Jr.

    Fall 2011-Spring 2012

    L to R back – Olivia Soofie, Alexa Diambois, Julia Garrett, Lindsay Winter, Ashley Dewelde, Meaghan Murphy, Catherine Hedglon, Tommie Deprima, Danielle DiFiore, Maria Martinez
    L to R front – Alexis Christie, Kathryn Walker, Eric Boos, Katharine Dyott, Stephanie Stein, Julie Morgan, Ashley Jordan, Joel Feigenbaum, Alex Feal, Tricia Robinson, Philip Grosdidier

Student Videos: Why the Health Rights Clinic?

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    Law and medical students speak about their meaningful experiences in the Health Rights Clinic Medical Legal Partnership.

    Julie Morgan, J.D. ’13, talks about the value of interacting with clients.

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