Eileen Weber, DNP, JD, BSN, PHN, RN

Clinical Associate Professor, Population Health & Systems Cooperative, School of Nursing, U of MN

Eileen Weber

United States

Eileen Weber is a nurse attorney and clinical associate professor at the University of Minnesota School of Nursing, where she teaches ethics, leadership, and public policy in the context of a continuum of interprofessional healthcare. She founded the Healthcare Legal Partnership (HLP) Collaborative, a growing network of healthcare providers with embedded civil legal services to serve patients who need legal help in overcoming negative social determinants of health. Her mission is to advance innovations in HLPs to promote just, equitable, and fair healthcare through the integration of legal services and healthcare delivery. She serves on the nursing school's Finance and Planning Committee and formerly coordinated the Policy Dialogue Series for the Katharine J. Densford International Center for Nursing Leadership. Weber is certified as a public health nurse and serves on the state health department's Health Care Homes Rulemaking Advisory Committee and its Program Innovation Workgroup. She is a gubernatorial appointment to the state's Environmental Health Tracking and Biomonitoring Advisory Panel, representing the Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy. In that role, she works with epidemiologists, doctoral students, environmental health experts and advocates in reaching and teaching clinicians how to screen and reduce the negative impacts of chemicals in people.

She was a faculty advisor for the UM Academic Health Center's Hotspotters and initiated the nursing preceptor program for the interprofessional student-run Phillips Neighborhood Clinic, focusing on improving the care of underserved people and those with complex medical and social needs created by fragmented delivery of such services. Weber’s ethics service includes the American Nurses Association's Center for Ethics and Human Rights Advisory Board and the clinical ethics committees for the University of Minnesota Medical Center (Fairview) and Hennepin Healthcare (formerly Hennepin County Medical Center). Dr. Weber earned both her BSN degree, summa cum laude, and her Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree in Health Innovation and Leadership from the University of Minnesota. She earned her JD degree in the founding class of the University of St. Thomas School of Law in Minneapolis. Her clinical experience includes urban critical care, emergency nursing and public health community coalition-building. Weber served on the ethics and government affairs committees of the Minnesota Nurses Association before serving a term as MNA vice-president, earning awards for political action and outstanding service. She represented nursing on the Minnesota Health Care Commission, has had op-eds published in the St. Paul Pioneer Press and the Star Tribune newspapers. Weber's doctoral scholarship focused on coordinating and leading interprofessional education on care coordination with the nationally renowned Hennepin Health county-based initiative for expanded Medicaid enrollees. She has extensive experience in legislative lobbying, community activism, and political campaign management. Weber's scholarship is focused on the intersection of nursing, law, ethics, public policy and interprofessional collaboration.

Professional Associations

  • Affiliate Faculty:
    Center for Bioethics, University of Minnesota
  • Professional Memberships:
    American Nurses Association (ANA)
    Minnesota Nurses Association
    Minnesota Organization of Registered Nurses (MNORN)
    Minnesota State Bar Association, Elder Law Section and Health Law Section
    American Society for Bioethics and Humanities

Education

Doctor of Nursing Practice in Health Innovation and Leadership, University of Minnesota, Spring 2014.

BSN, summa cum laude, University of Minnesota, Spring 1992: Awarded UROP grant and did qualitative research on ethical dilemmas encountered by emergency department nurses.

JD, University of St. Thomas, Spring 2004

Expand all

Research

Publications

BOOKS, BOOK CHAPTERS, OR BOOK REVIEWS

Disch, J., Keller, M., & Weber, E. (2014). Applying a nurse lens to shape policy. In Nurses making policy from bedside to boardroom, R. M. Patton, M. L. Zalon, & R. Ludwick (Eds.). New York, NY: Springer.

JOURNALS

Weber, E. & Polkey, B. (2016). Nurses' roles in healthcare legal partnerships. International Journal of Partnership Studies, 3(1), article 3. h:p://pubs.lib.umn.edu/ijps/vol3/iss1/3

Weber, E. & Polkey, B. (2015). Building a healthcare legal partnership learning collaborative. Creative Nursing, 21(3), 144-49.

Weber, E. (2011). The nursing salon experience: The intersection of experience and ideals. Creative Nursing, 17(3), 156-57.

Ryden, M.B., Brand, K., Weber, E., Lee, Oh. H. & Gross, C. (1998). Nursing home resuscitation policies and practices for residents without DNR orders. Geriatric Nursing19(6), 315-319.

Miles, S.H., Koepp, R., & Weber, E. (1996). Advance end-of-life treatment planning: a research review. Archives of Internal Medicine156, 1062-68.

Miles, S.H., & Weber E. (1995). End of life care in Minnesota. Minnesota Medicine78, 15-16.

Miles, S.H., Weber E.P., & Koepp, R. (1995). End-of-life treatment in managed care: The potential and the peril. West J Med, 163, 302-05.

Weber E. (1998). Nursing’s ethical mandate: Endorsing candidates. Creative Nursing4(1), 10-11.

MISCELLANEOUS PUBLICATIONS

Bentley, A., Thorson, D., & Weber, E. (2014). Honoring Choices Minnesota/Advance care Planning/Health care directive...it's not what you call it, it's about having the conversation with our patients. Metro Doctors, Nov/Dec (5), 24-25.

Weber, E. (2014, Mar. 11). Will legislation help or hurt nursing? Star Tribune, A11. 

Weber, E. (2009, Oct. 18). Seeking RN expertise at LPN prices. Star Tribune.

Weber, E. (2009, Sept. 11). Consider these two end-of-life scenarios. Star Tribune, A19.

Weber, E. (2009, Aug. 5). Time for term limits in Congress. South Washington County Bulletin, 6A.

Weber, E. (2009, July 22). Economy brings generations together. South Washington County Bulletin, 6A.

Weber, E. (2009, July 8). Playing field's still not quite level. South Washington County Bulletin, 6A.

Weber, E. (2009, June 24). Don't wait for a health care fix. South Washington County Bulletin, 6A.

Weber, E. (2009, June 3). Vision without resources: hallucination. South Washington County Bulletin, 6A.

Weber, E. (2009, May 18). Let's see affordable, elder-friendly nursing homes here. South Washington County Bulletin.

Weber, E. (2009, May 6). It takes a village to ease parents' passage. South Washington County Bulletin, 6A.

Weber, E. (2009, April 8). Private health care is best? Prove it. South Washington County Bulletin, 6A.

Weber, E. (2009, Mar. 25). Minnesota's election process is reliable. South Washington County Bulletin, 6A.

Weber, E. (2008). 21st century nursing: Lead or follow; united or divided? Reporter, October, 1-3, Fourth District Minnesota Nurses Association.

Weber, E. (2006, Oct. 25). It's time for change at Capitol. South Washington County Bulletin, 7A.

Weber, E. (2006, May 14). Who's not being well-served here? Star Tribune, AA3.

Weber, E. (2006). Health care: Get it right; get it in writing. Minnesota Nursing Accent, 78(2), 1-8.

Weber, E. (2005, Dec. 22). Hastings schools welcome the world. Hastings Star Gazette, 4A.

Weber, E. (2005, Sept. 1). Legislature should let school boards do their job. Hastings Star Gazette, 4A.

Weber, E. (2005, July 21). Health-care fix requires political fix. Hastings Star Gazette, 4A.

Weber E. (2005). A new wrinkle for seniors: Negotiated risk agreements. Minnesota Trial Lawyer Magazine, Spring, 14-15, 46-47.

Weber, E. (1999, Dec. 19). Who will care? Registered nurses from hospitals throughout Minnesota say patient safety is compromised by insufficient help. Saint Paul Pioneer Press, 23A.

Weber, E. (1999, Aug. 22). Adults must do more to stem flow of alcohol to kids. Saint Paul Pioneer Press.

Weber, E. (1999, June 20). "Bleacher blossoms" root, root, rooting for home team. Saint Paul Pioneer Press, 19A.

Weber, E. (1999, April 25). Assessments easily sized up: They're "the worst." Saint Paul Pioneer Press, 17A.

Weber, E. (1999, Feb. 14). Strange bedfellows on Grey Cloud Island nurture park idea. Saint Paul Pioneer Press.

Weber, E. (1999, Feb. 3). Grey Cloud State Park would be terrific asset. South Washington County Bulletin, 6A.

Weber, E. (1999). One nurse's account of being in the political ring. Nursing Minnesota4(1), 13-14.

Weber, E. (1998, Aug. 5). Only poor judgment will let teenagers sell tobacco. South Washington County Bulletin.

Weber, E. (1998, Feb. 28). Corporate subsidies often defeat purposes. Saint Paul Pioneer Press.

Weber, E. (1998, Feb. 4). Community needs to face vices head on: critics using smokescreen against tobacco ordinance. South Washington County Bulletin, 6A.

Weber, E. (1997, Oct. 29). Watershed plan, West Draw demand more study. South Washington County Bulletin, 8A.

Weber, E. (1997). "Good death:" A public health issue. Nursing Minnesota2(7), 13.

Weber, E. (1997, June 4). Cities need to get tough on tax increment financing. Woodbury Bulletin, 4A.

Weber, E. (1997, May 20). East metro jewel needs protection. Saint Paul Pioneer Press.

Weber E. (1997). The lessons of dying. Nursing Minnesota2(10), 8-12.

Weber, E. (1995, Oct. 26). MinnesotaCare under attack: Would critics pay to send kids to clinics? Star Tribune, A25

Weber, E. (1995, July 8). A strange trade-off on breast-cancer coverage. Star Tribune, 17A.

Weber, E. (1995, April 6). Health benefit cuts to bring more business to emergency room. Saint Paul Pioneer Press, 11A.

Weber, E. (1993). Nurses can do one day for democracy! Minnesota Nurses Association Accent, 65(8), 1.

Weber, E. (1993, Mar. 12). A case of HealthWrong: Insurance delayed is no help to the ill. Star Tribune.

Weber, E. (1993). Minnesota Health Care Commission News: New service delivery system - what it ISN and what it ISN'T. Minnesota Nurses Association Accent, 65(1), 3.

Weber, E. (1992, Jan. 23). Why we need a one-class health system. Star Tribune, 19A.

PRESENTATIONS

INTERNATIONAL

Potter, T.M., Joslyn, K., & Weber, E. Partnership: An essential paradigm for effective interprofessional collaboration. Interactive workshop A4 at Collaborating Across Borders IV conference, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, June 12-14, 2013.

NATIONAL

Dermenchyan, A. & Weber, E. My patient, my code, my practice: Ethical decisionmaking and practice. American Nurses Association webinar presentation to 10,000 registrants. Silver Springs, MD, May 7, 2015.

STATE/LOCAL

Ahmed, S., Bhattacharya, M., Chau, H., Sick, B., & Weber, E. Conference workshop: Co-managing high risk patients through collaborative interprofessional practice. 2016 Health care Homes and State Innovation Model Learning Days, Brooklyn Park, MN, April 27, 2016.

Weber, E. and many speakers. Conference chairperson and moderator/speaker: From aim to impact: Inaugural conference of the Upper Midwest Healthcare Legal Partnership Learning Collaborative, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN, March 24, 2016

Eaton, C. & Weber, E. Is this how to die in Minnesota? Discussion of the Minnesota Compassionate Care Act, Densford Policy Dialogue Series, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, September 29, 2015.

Kosieradzki, M., Plunkett, S., & Weber, E. Discussion of "The power of apology after medical error," Densford Wisdom Dialogue Series, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, April 23, 2015

Weber, E. Discussion of Minnesota's new law authorizing full scope of practice for advanced practice RNs (APRNs), "What, so what, now what?" Densford Policy Dialogue Series, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, Dec. 11, 2014.

Dvorak, D. & Weber, E. Health care reform presentation to APRNs and preceptors at preceptor appreciation dinner, University of St. Catherine, St. Paul, MN Dec. 3, 2014

Weber, E. Healthcare legal partnership presentation to Community Practice Law Clinic students, University of Minnesota Law School, Minneapolis, MN Nov. 12, 2014.

Weber, E. Guest speaker presentation to masters in nursing students in NURS 5034 Nursing Care of Complex Clients and Diverse Populations, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN Oct. 28, 2014

Weber, E. Guest speaker presentation to DNP nursing students in NURS 6600 Health Systems and Care Models, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN Oct. 16, 2014.

Joslyn, K. & Weber, E. Addressing complexity: Health care transformation and nursing. Guest speaker presentation to masters in nursing students. University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, Oct. 29, 2013.

Anderson, M., Kimball, M., Graczyk, L., Harris, A., Weber, E. & Else, C.Panel presentation on the Affordable Care Act. Minnesota Organization of Leaders in Nursing (MOLN) Public Policy Institute, St. Paul, MN, Oct. 28, 2013.

Weber, E., Jones, C., Phillips, J.T. & Jones, A. Affordable Care Act Panel Presentation, Springhouse Ministries Community Forum, Minneapolis, MN, Oct. 10, 2013.

Weber, E. Health Care Home standards and the Screen, Counsel, Refer, Follow-up model. Presentation for Minnesota Health Dept. workshop, Teamwork & skill-building to transform hypertension management: Screen-Counsel-Refer-FollowUp. Marshall, MN, Sept. 18, 2013.

Weber, E. Health Care Home standards and the Screen, Counsel, Refer, Follow-up model. Presentation for Minnesota Health Dept. workshop, Teamwork & skill-building to transform hypertension management: Screen-Counsel-Refer-FollowUp. Willmar, MN, Sept. 17, 2013.

Weber, E. Hennepin Health county-based care coordination: Advancing the health of people with complex needs. Guest speaker presentation to masters in nursing students, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN Oct. 9, 2012.

Anderson, E. & Weber, E. Beyond the Affordable Care Act: Advancing health care reform. Rainy Lake Community College, International Falls, MN, Sept. 24, 2012.

Nelson, P. & Weber, E. Single-payer vs. private health care insurance. Guest speaker presentation to post-master's DNP students' health policy class, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, July 19, 2012.

Bovard, R. & Weber, E. Health care reform town hall. Northfield, MN, May 19, 2012.

Weber, E. Distributive justice, nursing and the Main Street Contract. Plenary session, Ethics Summit, Minnesota Nurses Association, St. Paul, MN, April 17, 2012.

Weber, E. Minnesota Health Plan. Presentation at workshop: Building a healthcare system based on nursing values, Part 2. Minnesota Nurses Association, St. Paul, Jan. 17, 2012.

Weber, E. What's happening to health care in America. Presentation at workshop: Building a healthcare system based on nursing values. Minnesota Nurses Association, St. Paul, MN, Nov. 8, 2011

Bovard, R. & Weber, E. Joint physician-nurse health care reform presentation to graduate level health policy class taught by Senator Sandy Pappas, Metropolitan State University, St. Paul, Oct. 31, 2011.

Weber, E. The Minnesota Health Act and the role of APRNs. Presentation at the 24th Annual APRN Conference, Third District Nurses of Minnesota Nurses Association, April 8, 2011.

Weber, E. Testimony in opposition to a bill repealing the expansion of Medical Assistance, Minnesota Senate Health and Human Services Committee March 25, 2011.

Weber, E. Testimony in support of the governor's budget, Minnesota House of Representatives Health and Human Services Finance Committee, March 1, 2011.

Weber, E. Statement against eliminating General Assistance Medical Care at coalition press conference, Minnesota State Capitol, May 10, 2010.

Weber, E. Testimony supporting Minnesota Health Care Act to the bicameral Legislative Commission on Health Care Access, Minnesota State Capitol, St. Paul, MN July 25, 2007.

Weber, E. Testimony in support of Senator Linda Berglin's bill calling for a constitutional amendment declaring a right to health care, Minnesota House of Representatives Health and Family Security Committee, March 2, 2006.

Weber, E. When you've seen one assisted living, you've seen one assisted living. Presentation at Continuing Legal Education seminar, Representing Injured Elders - It's Not Just Nursing Homes Anymore! Minnesota Trial Lawyers Association, Minneapolis, MN, April 16, 2004.

Clinical

Board Certifications

Minnesota Public Health Nurse #17176 2008-present

Georgetown University Kennedy Institute of Ethics Washington, DC - Advanced Bioethics IV Certificate, 1993

Current Clinical: Basic Life Support (BLS), Honoring Choices Advance Care Planning Facilitator

Past Clinical: Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), Basic Life Support Instructor, Certified Emergency Nurse (CEN), Trauma Nurse Core Curriculum (TNCC), Advanced Trau