Introduction to Miami Street Medicine
Miami Street Medicine is a nonprofit organization that provides free mobile health care services to homeless people. The organization is part of a larger group called Dade County Street Response, which also includes a free clinic, a disaster relief team, and a mental health crisis line.
The Struggle of Homeless Patients
Jonas Richards became homeless several years ago after losing his job as a truck driver. Despite suffering from high blood pressure and diabetes, seeing a doctor hasn’t been a major priority since then. "When you’re homeless, it’s not easy," Richards said. "You find yourself hustling, trying to keep a little money in your pocket, trying to find something to eat." However, Richards recently had his first visit with doctors from Miami Street Medicine while sitting on a curb outside a homeless shelter. "You get everything done right here very fast," Richards said. "It was a big help."
Building Trust with Care
Miami Street Medicine teams of paid staff and medical school student volunteers aren’t just bandaging cuts and handing out aspirin. They’re performing intake on patients with tablet computers and offer follow-up visits for chronic conditions. They’re working with specialists like dermatologists, neurologists, and cardiologists. "We’re out there to meet the needs of our patients," founder Dr. Dan Bergholz said. "And if that’s a cough drop, we’ve got you. We are happy to help you with that cough drop. But really the mission is so much greater. It’s showing that we care, and we’re there for them. So when that cough becomes pneumonia, they’ll let us listen to their lungs and maybe trust us to take them to the hospital."
The Founding of Miami Street Medicine
Bergholz began laying groundwork for Miami Street Medicine about seven years ago. He said he had started doing charity outreach with homeless people as an undergraduate, but it seemed like more could be done. "It just felt like we weren’t quite moving the needle for folks," Bergholz said. After learning more about the growing trend of street medicine and being accepted to the University of Miami’s medical school, Bergholz began working with other students to set up a program. "I moved down to Miami early and just started hitting the streets and chatting with people," he said. "You could call it a needs assessment."
Regular Treatment
One challenge is the transient nature of homeless people, which makes it difficult to provide continual care. Dr. Armen Henderson, founder of Dade County Street Response, said the problem is compounded by laws that target homeless people. "The criminalization of homelessness has significantly impacted our patients’ ability to be in one place to get services," Henderson said. "For the street medicine team, they know they meet us in one place. But if the majority of those patients are now ending up in jail, now the people are trying to figure out what places are police not harassing them."
An Ounce of Prevention
Members of Miami Street Medicine have noticed more people losing their homes in recent years as prices increase and wages remain stagnant. Dr. Inaki Bent, who oversees street medicine teams, said he’s also seen an increase in undocumented migrants on the streets as the state and federal governments have expanded immigration enforcement this year. "I see patients here who are no longer working," Bent said. "They’re no longer working because the fields and the construction sites have become targets. And they would prefer not to be employed or not to expose themselves to that risk." In addition to the individual benefit to patients, providing medical treatment on the street and at the group’s clinic prevents treatable conditions from becoming emergencies that ultimately strain the entire health care system.
Conclusion
Miami Street Medicine is making a significant difference in the lives of homeless people in Miami. By providing free mobile health care services, the organization is helping to address the unique challenges faced by this population. While there are still many obstacles to overcome, the work of Miami Street Medicine and its partners is a step in the right direction. As the organization continues to grow and expand its services, it is likely to have an even greater impact on the health and well-being of homeless individuals in Miami.
FAQs
Q: What is Miami Street Medicine?
A: Miami Street Medicine is a nonprofit organization that provides free mobile health care services to homeless people.
Q: What services does Miami Street Medicine provide?
A: Miami Street Medicine provides a range of services, including medical care, follow-up visits, and referrals to specialists.
Q: How does Miami Street Medicine reach its patients?
A: Miami Street Medicine uses a mobile health care model, with teams of paid staff and medical school student volunteers visiting patients on the street and at shelters.
Q: What are the challenges faced by Miami Street Medicine?
A: Miami Street Medicine faces challenges such as the transient nature of homeless people, laws that target homeless people, and limited resources.
Q: How can I get involved with Miami Street Medicine?
A: You can get involved with Miami Street Medicine by volunteering, donating, or spreading the word about the organization’s work.
