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UB HEALS (Homeless health, Education, Awareness, and Leadership in Street Medicine) is a student run street medicine outreach initiative of the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at the University at Buffalo. Our medical street outreach team aims to engage with the homeless of Buffalo reconnecting them to the health care system and improving their health outcomes.
ABOUT UB HEALS:
We are out in the community every Tuesday and Thursday. Our team travels to the bus station, various shelters, and/or walks the streets with healthcare and outreach professionals equipped with supplies, basic medications, clothing and other necessities for living. We strive to care for acute needs, connect patients with long-term care, and build trusting relationships with a historically underserved population.
OUR MISSION:
To increase access to health care among the homeless population of Buffalo, NY by directly improving their overall health and influencing medical education. As a student-run project, we seek to address the unique medical and psychosocial needs of the homeless population while providing a valuable educational experience for medical students.
WHAT WE'VE BEEN UP TO:
In 2018, our 60 Days to HEAL crowdfunding campaign raised an astounding $19,201 thanks to the support of the Buffalo community. With these donations, we've been able to service over 1,000 homeless individuals in the last year, providing medications, medical supplies, and other necessities for living. UB HEALS has also been able to offer special initiatives, including:
Hepatitis A vaccinations through our partnership with the Erie County Department of Health, which will help reduce the spread of a potentially fatal disease through Buffalo's homeless population.
Free prescription medications through Buffalo General Hospital.
Foot care clinic, supported by a grant from the University at Buffalo President's Circle. This initiative will allow us to provide foot care packages to nearly 100 homeless individuals in the Buffalo community, promoting foot hygiene and improving the comfort of our patients.
WHY WE NEED YOUR HELP:
In an effort to maintain our current efforts and continue expanding our impact in the city of Buffalo, we are looking to the City of Good Neighbors to help us support our homeless neighbors. Our primary goal is to ensure that UB HEALS has a sustained presence for many years to come. We need your help to fund our upcoming initiatives that will improve the well-being of our patients. Flu vaccine clinics are important in preventing serious illness this winter, and for just $38, you can help us keep someone safe. Our medical supplies and pharmacy are our major recurring cost, so your donation could be used to care for a wound or refill an important medication. Looking forward, we are working on helping our homeless neighbors with transportation to ensure their medical needs are met. We appreciate any contribution to help us reach these goals!
SINCE OUR INCEPTION IN SPRING 2016:
UB HEALS has conducted approximately 350 rounds and 3,000 patient encounters. These encounters include services such as:
Assessment/Treatment of Acute Complaints
Medication reconciliation and other patient education
Distribution of clothing, toiletries, and other necessities.
Linkage to primary care, behavioral health, and social services
To learn more visit, our website at https://www.ubheals.org/
UB HEALS IN THE NEWS
American Medical Association: Moving Medicine: Making house calls to those without homes
SUNY Big Ideas: Students Help The Homeless Stay Healthy On The Streets of Buffalo
Buffalo's 2019 30 Under 30: UB HEALS founder, Moudi Hubeishy, is a winner of 30 Under 30
UB News: UB HEALS wins one grant, seeks another
WKBW: University at Buffalo students help the homeless
The Buffalo News: UB med students make their rounds on Buffalo streets, shelters
WGRZ: UB HEALS helps Buffalo's homeless population
WNY Papers: Next Generation United picks UB HEALS as top winner in Pitch 10 Competition
WIVB: UB Medical students take different approach to patient care
Spectrum: UB Med students Take Health Care to the Streets
American Medical Association: Members Move Medicine: Helping patients wherever they are
HOMELESSNESS IN ERIE COUNTY
Approximately 5824 individuals experienced homelessness last year
54% of all homeless people were Black
37% of all homeless people were White
14% of all homeless people were Hispanic or Latino
Of those reporting disabling conditions, mental illness was a struggle for 68%
26% reported alcohol abuse
30% reported struggling with drug abuse
60% were male
most common ages of those experiencing homelessness are 25-34 and 45-54.
REASONS FOR HOMELESSNESS
Loss of Job/Income (includes public benefits) 26.75%
Household Disputes (not DV) 26.00%
Substance Abuse 18.24%
Mental Health 17.90%
Court eviction by landlord 16.98%
Eviction by primary tenant 16.56%
Domestic Violence 15.64
Ask to leave by landlord 14.42%
Release From Institution 11.94%
Relocation from out of the Area 10.49%
Provide 1 "prescription for warmth" pack helping to keep individuals safe from hypothermia and frostbite.
Provide our patients with necessities like glucose monitors and wound care treatment.
Dr. Jim Withers founded the practice of street medicine in Pittsburgh, PA 27 years ago in 1992. He has started a world wide movement that UB HEALS is honored to be a part of.
At 32 degrees F "Code Blue" goes into effect, helping people get off the streets into warm shelters.
The city of Buffalo is 52.5 square miles that UB HEALS travels providing medical services at no cost.
Over 85 cities across 15 countries and 5 continents are currently doing street medicine outreach. UB HEALS is putting Buffalo on the map!
UB HEALS conducts 104 "street rounds" each year. Twice a week, our team takes to the streets to meet patients where they are at, and help address their medical, emotional and psychosocial needs.
The zip code of the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, where future physicians get more than just the classroom experience.
Since 2016, UB HEALS has spent upwards of 300 nights providing outreach to our friends who live on the streets and in shelters.
All money donated helps the lives of our neighbors in the 716 area code.
Since we started our work, UB HEALS has conducted over 3,500 patient encounters - working hard to improve the health and well being of homeless individuals and families.
