Our mission
UDSM strives to eliminate health disparities by providing free comprehensive care to the underserved and through education of current and future healthcare providers. We serve as an interdisciplinary, student- and community-driven bridge to care for those experiencing homelessness in the University District through:
- Dedicated Street Outreach
- Close Community Partnerships
- Free Clinic-based Care
Values
Our organization upholds these values while providing services to all
- Compassion
- Respect
- Advocacy
- Accountability
- Collaboration
- Experiential Learning
Project history
University District Street Medicine (UDSM) was founded in October 2013 by six students from Medicine, Nursing, Physical Therapy and Social Work who participated in a Skype conversation between the University District Conversation on Homelessness (a community group concerned with homelessness in the University District), and Street Medicine Detroit (a homeless outreach project out of Wayne State University).
Within the pilot year, students completed two community needs assessments, and began identifying Faculty Advisors from each of the Health Sciences schools. The original Faculty Advisors are still active advisors and strong supporters of the project, and they now serve as our Advisory Board.
Since its inception, UDSM has grown from a team of just six students, to a team of twenty-two Leadership students, fifty student volunteers, and twenty-five preceptors.
Within the pilot year, students completed two community needs assessments, and began identifying Faculty Advisors from each of the Health Sciences schools. The original Faculty Advisors are still active advisors and strong supporters of the project, and they now serve as our Advisory Board.
Since its inception, UDSM has grown from a team of just six students, to a team of twenty-two Leadership students, fifty student volunteers, and twenty-five preceptors.
Current work
When UDSM was in initial planning stages, the first model that came to mind was a traditional primary care model in a brick-and-mortar clinic. Based on the findings of the two community needs assessments, it was determined that this model was not ideal, due to lack of trust in traditional healthcare delivery in the homeless population and issues surrounding access.
UDSM heard the need for relationship building and establishing respect and trust prior to care. Also, the logistics of accessing traditional care among the homeless population was challenging, such as not having bus fare to get to Harborview or other community clinics. The concept of “literally and figuratively meet us where we’re at” is the foundation of UDSM’s current model.
Currently, UDSM conducts ten outreaches per month throughout the U District and central Seattle. The current scope of practice includes basic first aid, vital sign acquisition and resource referral and navigation.
UDSM heard the need for relationship building and establishing respect and trust prior to care. Also, the logistics of accessing traditional care among the homeless population was challenging, such as not having bus fare to get to Harborview or other community clinics. The concept of “literally and figuratively meet us where we’re at” is the foundation of UDSM’s current model.
Currently, UDSM conducts ten outreaches per month throughout the U District and central Seattle. The current scope of practice includes basic first aid, vital sign acquisition and resource referral and navigation.