Street Medicine Brings Care to the Streets | Springfield News

SIU Medicine’s groundbreaking Street Medicine program brings primary care directly to people experiencing homelessness, transforming how vulnerable patients receive treatment. With a $2.5 million federal grant and field teams rolling out in June, doctors now visit shelters, parks, and encampments—treating infections, diabetes, and hypertension before crises hit. Instead of waiting for patients to show up, the team builds trust through consistent, even non-medical visits, addressing real barriers like unstable housing and lack of contact info. For patients like Patricia Gaddy, who’s been homeless for 20 years, it’s not just care—it’s dignity. The team handles prescriptions, tests, and referrals on-site, measuring success by simple milestones like follow-up appointments. And it’s training future physicians too: family medicine residents rotate through, learning empathy and resilience in high-stakes environments. This isn’t charity—it’s a revolution in healthcare access, proving that compassionate, consistent care can thrive anywhere. Listen in comfort:Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/4698ad2b041220a0