Spectrum News: Wright State University and Premier Health receive $2.5M grant to expand street medicine

For people experiencing homelessness or unstable housing, they also often face overlapping challenges like chronic illness, behavioral health conditions and substance use that makes day to day living even more difficult. Often a routine trip to the doctor is the last thing on the to-do list … until it’s too late.

For people needing help, having access to medical care in their community where they are can be a lifesaver.

For medical school students, street medicine is another way to understand their patients, to help set them up for success from the exam room and beyond.

“I’ve had a long-standing interest in helping out vulnerable and marginalized communities,” said Serena Kaul, a student at Wright State University’s Boonshoft School of Medicine.

Recently, the university and the healthcare system received a $2.5 million federal grant to expand Dayton Street Medicine.

Thanks to the grant, the program can expand to reach more people and train additional medical students and residents.

This summer they’re extending care to the rural community of Piqua and also launching Street Rounds with outreach teams around high-need areas in Dayton.

“It’s very fulfilling. Since we’re in the community setting, sometimes we’re the only healthcare experience that these patients have, and it’s really special because they’ll share their stories with us,” said Kaul.