November Newsletter – The Word on the Street

You are reading the introduction to our November newsletter, The Word on the Street, read the rest here…

“The essence of healthcare is going to where people are. Either physically or even more importantly spiritually, emotionally. . . .When they’re shown that they matter. When that really sinks in, then hope grows. And amazing things happen. That’s why we’ve been able to house well over 700 people. . . You know. If I could I’d write a prescription for a house for all the street people because it is immensely important for health.” – Dr. Jim Withers, founder of Operation Safety Net, Pittsburgh

On behalf of the communications team at Doctors Without Walls – Santa Barbara Street Medicine (DWW-SBSM) I would like to thank you for reading our November issue of “The Word on the Street.” This is our monthly newsletter designed to keep volunteers and our Santa Barbara community informed and educated about our organization, and to share the stories from both the volunteers on the streets every week in addition to hearing from members from the homeless community we serve.

October was a very busy month for us. As the Fall season descends upon us, the weather changes. We are beginning to see our first rain. Cold, wet weather adds additional challenges to caring for those with inconsistent housing. Soon the warming shelters will begin to emerge to provide a safe, warm, and dry place for Santa Barbara’s homeless to ride out passing storms and stay safe from the elements. The dangerous reality remains that being homeless is hazardous to one’s health. We are constantly reminded of the stunning findings of Dr. James O Connel’s original research and vulnerability index, primarily, that being homeless is an independent risk factor for death within 6 years. David “Hopper” Hopkins, one of our volunteer alcohol and drug counselors was homeless before he came to volunteer with us. He shares his story of raw survival in this issue of “The Word on the Street.”

In early October, our tribe visited Philadelphia for the Seventh Annual International Street Medicine Symposium in Philadelphia, and Santa Barbara was well represented this year. The term “street medicine” was coined by Dr. Jim Withers of Operation Safety Net in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and is an emerging movement represented in over 41 cities around the world. These humanitarians include health care professionals, students, formerly homeless outreach workers and other fellow spirits who believe in the philosophy of bringing medical and social care to the people who need it most, or as Dr. Jim Withers. more eloquently puts it,“to meet people where they are at.” At the  Symposium, our volunteers engaged in dialogue and discussion with other volunteers and activists from all over the world. We learned from each others’ struggles and triumphs. With thoughts of how to improve patient care always in the back of our minds,  we heard from our colleagues in Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Los Angeles, New York, the United Kingdom, Calcutta, Nigeria, and more about how our colleagues are constantly pushing the envelope of innovation and creativity in providing medical care to those who need it the most. Street medicine as a movement continues to gain momentum. As policy makers debate access to care and service within the state and federal halls of government, volunteers and humanitarians quietly take to the streets and parks, ensuring that the marginalized people dwelling within the shadows of society are seen, listened to, and cared for. And we in Santa Barbara are not alone in this movement.

While the patients we serve will always be our highest priority, educating the next generation of humanitarian health care providers and social activists is also one of the guiding principles of  Doctors Without Walls – Santa Barbara Street Medicine. We had our third journal club where volunteers came together at one of our physician’s homes and critically discuss two scientific research articles about clinical care for the homeless. It allows us to examine the most current scientific research and critically examine our own practice. We are constantly looking to other models to learn if there is any way we can provide a better service to the homeless community we serve. Students receive an opportunity to learn about clinical research methodology, and most importantly, about how to extract practical lessons that apply to our daily practice on the streets.

Our founder Dr. Noemi “Mimi” Doehan and our medical director of street teams Dr. Laura Polito went to Haiti with Project Medishare and served a population still recovering from not only last year’s earthquake, but also generations of poverty, corruption and disease. We are overjoyed to have Dr. Laura and Dr. Mimi back in the parks and on the streets, and are hoping to hear some of their inspiring stories about their experiences serving in Port A Prince in next month’s “Word on the Street.” Vulnerable populations have similar patterns no matter where in the world they are. Those who have lost their home in an earthquake are more similar than different to those who have lost their home due to illness, mental health, or poverty. Both populations struggle to meet the complex challenges of meeting the medical needs of those who do not know where they are sleeping or where their next meal is coming from. Our students from Street Health Outreach (SHO) helped collect and assemble “mama kits” to help improve maternal outcomes in places where being pregnant and delivering a baby is a significant risk to life. A “mama kit” has everything an expecting mother needs to have a safer home delivery. We are excited to hear Dr. Mimi and Dr. Laura tell their stories about their experiences in Haiti. Doctors Without Walls – Santa Barbara Street Medicine is always aware of the medical needs in our local community as well as the world.

October is known in Isla Vista for its annual Halloween festival. However, for us at Doctors Without Walls – Santa Barbara Street Medicine, it is not a celebration but a disaster zone. Young people come to Isla Vista from all over the world and drink excessive amounts of alcohol, use recreational drugs, and many women, dressed in revealing Halloween costumes, fall prey to sexual abuse. The crowds of intoxicated students quickly overwhelm the local authorities, and an inter agency disaster response ensues with amazing collaboration between police, fire department, emergency medical services, search and rescue, and various volunteer and non-profit organizations. The Santa Barbara County Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) had a medical first aid tent, and assisted the local governmental agencies by providing on scene medical care. DWW-SBSM has a long-standing relationship with MRC, and many of our DWW-SBSM volunteers were volunteering with the MRC for this event. Our UCSB sister organization Street Health Outreach (SHO) was also present in full force. SHO student volunteers went into the crowds of intoxicated scantily clad teenagers in search of youngsters who had too much to drink and were at risk of injury or being exploited. Our students brought these teenagers to the recovery tent where they were observed until sober, or if they were dangerously intoxicated and required closer monitoring, they alerted the EMS personnel. Our SHO students held a “flip flop drive” and acquired dozens of donated flip-flops. Many youngsters took to the streets of Isla Vista wearing inappropriate footwear and SHO students were able to give them a donated pair of flip flops. SHO students then offered to walk them home to their dorms or apartments where they would be safe. Doctors Without Walls – Santa Barbara Street Medicine, in addition to our affiliated organizations SHO and MRC, are always ready and willing to bring medical care to where it is needed most, including in times of disaster.

Most students who interview for medical school, when asked “why do you want to be a doctor?” reply with some variation of the answer. . .”to help people” But what does it mean to help people? For some, help comes in the form of an antibiotic for their infection, or maybe in the form of resetting broken bones, or medication to lower blood pressure or blood sugar. For some, help comes in the form of a clean pair of socks, a warm blanket, and safe place to sleep for the night. For others, help comes in the form of a stranger from a distant land offering medical assistance in a time of need. For others, help comes in the form of friendly neighbor, who offers sandals for sore feet, and walks side by side to be sure she makes it home safely. For some, help comes in the form of a witness, who has taken the time to be present, to pay attention, and share observations with policy makers and people in a position of power to intervene. There are so many ways for us to help people. We think globally but we all participate locally in the way that we can. In times of need, people come together and find each other, and engage in creative and innovative ways to make our local and global community better. Everyone has their part to play. We act out of compassion. We act out of moral responsibility. We act out of principle. Most importantly we act. Our work on the streets of Santa Barbara mirrors the humanitarian spirit of others all over the world. We draw strength from the efforts of humanitarian leaders elsewhere who continue to inspire us with their tales of perseverance, humility and humanity. And we do what we can. Often times what we have to offer is imperfect. But we always offer something. The act of aiding those in their times of vulnerability and suffering is one of the most basic and intimate pillars of faith and society.

We at Doctors Without Walls – Santa Barbara Street Medicine gain strength from the act of caring and giving. We gain strength from the people we serve. We gain strength from each other. We invite you, our readers, to join us. Participate in how you can. Many of you will be getting a letter this next month asking for financial donation. You can also donate at our website. If you are a medical professional, visit our website and come out to the parks and volunteer. If you are a student, plan an advocacy event to increase awareness at your school. We learned in this issue that politicians in our community are eager to hear from us, their constituents. Let them know what kind of community you want to live in. Speak up for those with no voice. Most importantly, pay attention and get involved. What you do matters. Thank you for reading this month’s issue of “The Word on the Street.” Please send any comments or questions to our communications team.

Jason Prystowsky MD, MPH, volunteer physician for DWW-SBSM, team leader communications

Ryan Nguyen, student intern for DWW-SBSM, student team leader communications

Lauren Fryling, student intern for DWW-SBSM, communications team

Trevor Mells, student intern for DWW-SBSM, communications team

Rosalie Imler, student intern for DWW-SBSM, communications team

Tayler James, student intern for DWW-SBSM, communications team

Editors:  Maia Bradley, Krista Daly, Paul Kingsley