The Mendocino Coast Hospitality Center, in partnership with Mendocino Coast Clinics and
Adventist Health Ukiah Valley, announces the establishment of a “Street Medicine” program in
Fort Bragg to more effectively deliver health care services to homeless people in our
community. The intent of the Street Medicine program is to screen and refer for medical and
mental health issues, provide health education, reduce emergency room visits and help
homeless people overcome the barriers that make it difficult to access health care resources
and services.
In Ukiah, where a Street Medicine program has been operating for two years, the hospital has
seen a significant drop in emergency room visits. Dr. Noemi “Mimi” Doohan, the medical
director of Ukiah’s street medicine program explains “There is an economic, societal and a
business argument for street medicine. There are societal costs for people being on the street.
It’s far more expensive to go into intensive care rather than primary care… We’re bringing
health care to people when and where they need it, instead of waiting for them to end up in
the ER when they’re dying. This is prevention.”
Starting Wednesday, May 16th, the Street Medicine program will offer drop-in hours every
Wednesday from 10 AM to 12 PM at the Hospitality Center at 101 North Franklin Street. Folks
can drop-in to meet with the Street Medicine Team - a nurse, a case manager, and a mental
health rehabilitation specialist. Funding for these positions is being provided by Adventist
Health Ukiah Valley Hospital; they will be employees of the Mendocino Coast Clinics, working
collaboratively with the staff and providers of the walk-in clinics.
The intent of the program is to provide health care screenings and help individuals get
connected with primary care providers at Mendocino Coast Clinic as appropriate. While initially
Street Medicine services can be accessed at the Hospitality Center, the hope is that, in the
future, backpack teams will be able to provide services to homeless people on the street and in
campsites.
For more information about this press release, please contact Linda Jo Stern at 617-435-8412 or lindajostern@gmail.com
Fort Bragg’s Street Medicine team in front of drop-in clinic at Hospitality Center, 101 N. Franklin Street. From left to right: Matt Winslow, Faith Simon, Linda Jo Stern, Janette Ornelas