During a recent day, registered nurse Nicole Coye embarked on her rounds in the medical van that navigates the streets, providing care to the homeless population. Her first patient, Carrie Firestein, greeted her with a warm hug, expressing gratitude for the “doctors office on wheels.” Firestein, who has been without a home for over eight years, along with her partner Joel Spillman, homeless for more than three years, rely on the mobile healthcare team for their medical needs. The van, organized by CalOptima Health in collaboration with the city of Garden Grove and Healthcare in Action, not only checks vitals and monitors medications but also offers various social services to those in need. For Firestein and Spillman, the team is a source of comfort amidst their daily struggles. Firestein describes them as a blessing, stating that they provide more than just medical assistance.
Denette Schwab, homeless for the last 13 years, has built a close relationship with the healthcare team and appreciates their constant support. She praises their dedication to helping those in need, noting that they are not solely focused on medical issues. The team regularly checks up on her, even making sure she is in good health during her time at the park. Schwab is deeply grateful for their presence, as they have helped her obtain necessary documents like her birth certificate. She has developed a strong bond with the team and admires their commitment to providing comprehensive care.
The Healthcare in Action medical van made a stop in Garden Grove, California on September 19, 2023. This program, a collaboration between CalOptima Health, the city of Garden Grove, and Healthcare in Action, aims to provide medical care and resources to the homeless population. The van is equipped with medical professionals like Nicole Coye, RN, who assist individuals like Joel Spillman and Carrie Firestein with their healthcare needs. Spillman, homeless for over three years, and Firestein, homeless for over eight years, rely on the program for essential medical support.
Medical professionals, including Physicians Assistant Robert Horner and Nicole Coye, RN, offer medical exams and support to individuals like Joel Spillman on the Healthcare in Action medical van. The program operates in partnership with CalOptima Health, the city of Garden Grove, and Healthcare in Action, enabling the team to provide comprehensive care to homeless individuals in need.
Michael Pruden, who has experienced periods of homelessness over the years, engages in a conversation with Physicians Assistant Robert Horner and Nicole Coye, RN, outside the medical van. Richard Vincent, who has intermittently been homeless for eight years, also benefits from the services provided by the program. These individuals, like many others, appreciate the support and assistance offered by the caring and dedicated medical team.
Schwab acknowledges that finding access to medical care would be nearly impossible without this program. Schwab appreciates the team’s attentive and kind approach, which has earned her trust. She highlights their friendly and personable nature as vital in building relationships with the homeless population. Initially skeptical of their intentions, Schwab has come to understand their genuine desire to bring care to those who would otherwise struggle to avail traditional medical services. The traveling medical team comprises a physician assistant, a registered nurse, a mental health specialist, and peer navigators. They offer primary care, clinical management, mental health support, and connection to community resources.
Twice a week, the street medicine team makes a stop at the First Presbyterian Church of Garden Grove, where individuals can shower, have meals, and access resources provided by the program. Richard Vincent, among others, benefits from this additional support. The team not only attends to medical needs but also addresses other issues faced by the homeless community.
Vincent, determined to change his circumstances, expresses gratitude for the team’s assistance. He plans to undergo detoxification and acknowledges the support the program offers in his journey towards recovery. He hopes to leave behind his life on the streets, describing it as living in a foreign country.
On the same day, the team encounters a couple heavily reliant on fentanyl. The woman, making a life-changing decision, chooses to enter a rehabilitation center, a significant step towards escaping homelessness. A peer navigator and mental health specialist accompany her to ensure a smooth transition to her next destination.
Since its launch, CalOptima tasked Healthcare in Action with enrolling 200 patients within 18 months. After just five months operating on the road, the street medical team has already enrolled nearly 100 individuals. These participants receive various services, including healthcare, behavioral health support, substance use treatment, and case management, which includes assistance with obtaining essential documents like birth certificates and identifications. The program’s success is attributed to the team’s ability to establish trust with their patients. They emphasize the importance of treating everyone kindly and without judgment.
The team also strives to connect individuals with housing resources, although mental health specialist Scott Blaisdell acknowledges the prevalent shortage of available housing in Orange County. Despite this challenge, CalOptima is determined to continue providing essential services to the homeless population and explore ways to expand their reach.
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