Last week, I had the privilege to witness the Providence Mobile Medical Van, parked behind the Union Gospel Mission, and its Street Medicine Outreach Team in action.
It is not easy for me to witness the level of human suffering on the streets of downtown Olympia. I prefer to look away and avoid the pain, fear, and reactions that are triggered. Grateful for the welcome I received that day, I am here to share the work this team does to ease suffering in our community.
When Providence’s brick-and-mortar Community Care Center that served downtown’s homeless population closed during the pandemic, Providence resourced a mothballed 1996 vintage mobile medical van from California. Additionally, Olympic Ambulance donated one of their vehicles to the cause.
A Mobile Health Clinic van from Providence St. Peter Hospital, as seen in this undated photo.
Courtesy of Providence Swedish | The JOLT News
The ‘clinics’ are in 3 forms:
A Street Medicine Mobile Clinic sign.
Courtesy of Providence Swedish | The JOLT News
The mobile outreach team works out of the van every Thursday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.m close to the Thurston County Food Bank. Two Tuesdays a month they park at the Salvation Army at 824 5th Ave. SE, one at The Hope and Healing Clinic in Tumwater and one close to Percival Creek Access in West Olympia off Cooper Point Road.
On Monday, Wednesday and Friday the team dons backpacks and enters homeless encampments. Dr. Kari Lima, family practice physician and medical residency preceptor joins the team with a cadre of residents (physicians in training) every other week. Folks that need and are willing, may be referred directly to the hospital for tests or admitted. Others may become patients of the training physicians for ongoing primary care.
The services are supported by Providence’s commitment to its spiritual mission and values. I was witness to dignity in action.
“We value, encourage, and celebrate the gifts in one another. We respect the inherent dignity and worth of every individual. We recognize each interaction as a sacred encounter.”
- From Providence Mission and Values
All care is provided at no charge to anyone who asks for help.
Funding sources include the Providence Medical Foundation and Health Equity Fund, Medical Teams International, Thurston County Treatment Sales Tax, Thurston-Mason Behavioral Health Administrative Service Organization and Well Being Trust.
Tracy B. stands ready to serve coffee.
Courtesy of Providence Swedish | The JOLT News
Complimentary coffee and donuts are provided when the van is on location. In addition to providing comfort and nourishment, they build relationships and trust. Some people come for coffee a dozen times before they feel comfortable enough to ask the nurse to look at a wound, for instance.
Each person on the team brings their unique gifts. Many call this their “dream job.” All are employed by Providence Behavioral Health Services. They get to serve while supporting themselves and their families with income and full benefits.
The Mobile Health Clinic team, as seen in front of medical van.
Courtesy of Providence Swedish | The JOLT News
Jim B is the glue that keeps the unit functioning. With his commercial driver’s license and mechanical skills, he maintains and drives the van. Jim is the supply manager. He keeps the van stocked, puts together the medical kits (wound care, men’s, women’s, and hygiene), and a litany of other logistics. His background? Liaison to an Army general and a post-military career for a large medical supply company.
Troy is the ideal ‘receptionist.” He is a state-certified “peer specialist.” The requirement for such certification is “lived experience.” Having been there, he is grateful to give back. His quiet, kind presence makes him most easily trusted as the person’s first contact with the team. His background? U.S. Air Force and Life.
Only a gift of providence could have led Dawn, a registered nurse, to find this team. With her short-cropped graying hair as a testament to her depth of experience and decked out in jeans and a down vest, she couldn’t have ‘looked’ more the part. She brings decades of experience as a psychiatric and wound care nurse, the perfect skillset for this assignment. Disarming and at their level, I witnessed her successfully coaxing a few reluctant folks into the van for exam and treatment.
The exam room inside of the Mobile Health Clinic van.
Courtesy of Providence Swedish | The JOLT News
Jason, the clinical social worker resident, is earning his clinical hours for licensure by doing everything a social worker could dream of. He is engaged in 1:1 counseling, triage, referrals for housing, health insurance, crisis intervention and addiction treatment. A The Evergreen State College counseling student was shadowing him for her internship. His background? Army paratrooper and combat medic.
They are just now onboarding a new nurse practitioner for the team.
Who was serving coffee that day? Tracy B., Chief Mission Officer for Providence South Puget Sound. My host, Angela Maki, Director of Communication and External Affairs for South Puget Sound does this too. Other Providence employees request the “privilege” to stand outside in the elements to do so.
This mobile outreach team is a visible and important triage touchstone for our community’s homeless population. They offer treatment, intervention, and referral. A mobile MASH-like unit, it came as no surprise that a number of the team members are veterans. Their experience in wartime crisis intervention is directly applicable to people in dire domestic circumstances.
All staff are Basic Life Support and CPR certified. You name the crisis; they deal with it: from behavioral interventions to injecting unconscious opiate addicts with naloxone. Jim and Troy assisted me in driving out of the parking lot when one agitated person insistently blocked my way.
Safety first applies. No one goes in alone.
The mobile medical team does not work alone. They partner with many service organizations and nonprofits in our community. Every other month they all meet to collaborate on their efforts. These include groups that help with housing, insurance, behavioral health, addictions, family support for parents, and more.
Homelessness and addiction can happen to anyone and any family. One of your best friend’s family members may be living on the street whether you know it or not.
It brings me much hope as I hope it does for my readers, to learn of this silver lining in our community’s cloud of homelessness. A team of love in action.
“Where there is despair, let me sow hope; where there is darkness, light … for it is in giving that we receive.”
Dr. D’s edited excerpt of the Prayer of St. Francis
Debra L. Glasser, M.D. is a retired internal medicine physician in Olympia. Got a question for her? Write drdebra@theJOLTnews.com
7 comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here
Sbigelow
Thank you for sharing this wonderful news. I’m appreciative of Providence/Swedish providing these services and hope it continues for as long as the services are needed.
Tuesday, April 8 Report this
hptrillium
Thanks for letting us know about this. What a wonderful service.
Wednesday, April 9 Report this
gypsydjango
I'm so pleased you wrote about this service, and your acknowledgement of the dire need many of our unhoused neighbors are experiencing. Your thoughtful description of the people who are working to reduce the pain and suffering, as well as their commitment to do so, is appreciated. Sounds like you were able to get a better idea of what is actually happening with this population, thank you.
Wednesday, April 9 Report this
Snevets
A team of Love in action.
Thank you for sharing.
Wednesday, April 9 Report this
KellyOReilly
I am deeply touched by this article, thank you for sharing this information. It is good to know about the kind souls you wrote about who are serving the homeless population. Bless them all.
Wednesday, April 9 Report this
Grailking
Thanks for sharing information on this important work!
We are blessed to live in such a caring community
Wednesday, April 9 Report this
Chappellg
Thank you so much for this article, Dr. Glasser. When Providence closed their Community Care Clinic, I was devastated. It had dedicated, mission-driven staff helping those not able to access other care.
But now I see that Providence has developed a “Child of the Community Care Clinic” that provides the same level of compassionate care. Bravo to all.
Next you should write about The Olympia Free Clinic which also provides free medical and mental health care for all who can get to the clinic but can’t access other care.
We have a wonderful community full of angels who try to fill the gaps in our broken healthcare system.
Thank you for your reporting.
Saturday, April 12 Report this