Introduction
Stephan Koruba is the senior nurse practitioner of The Night Ministry's Street Medicine program. After working in a rural health facility in Montana for 3 years, the Loyola Chicago Level 1 ER for 3 years, and their highest level burn unit for another 2 years, he received his Nurse Practitioner certificate and began treating low-income patients in Aurora, Illinois. His passion for community development met his medical skills when he changed careers and became the lead medical personnel at The Night Ministry in 2019.
While the people he meets on the streets of Chicago have their own incredible stories, Stephan and the team he works with are constantly moved by their experiences and friendships. In the following weeks and months, we will be learning with them how the human spirit grows to care for the poorest, most needy folks living on the streets.
Street Medicine was pioneered in Boston and Pittsburg. The Night Ministry piloted their own program in Chicago with a van, one outreach worker and a small group of dedicated volunteers. The program has grown to include a full time nurse practitioner, two full-time outreach workers, a full-time social worker and a full-time substance abuse advocate, five regular volunteers, and seven regular medical professional volunteers. Using a combination of grant money and donations they acquired another customized van for the dedicated purpose of medical outreach to Chicago's homeless population.
First and foremost, the purpose of the Street Medicine Team is to provide human connection and companionship to the homeless population in Chicago. The van carries vaccines, medicines, and medical equipment that can treat wounds, basic chronic illnesses, common acute infections, and provide harm reduction services through a needle exchange program and the distribution of Narcan to reverse acute opioid overdose. A medical practitioner (MD or NP) is usually present with a social worker, an outreach worker and one volunteer (four people in total). They ALWAYS work in pairs to stay safe. They go out every day of the week, with two shifts operating Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.
The team focuses on connecting individuals with local resources, consistent primary care, and housing and drug detox/rehabilitation services when appropriate. One seat on the van is always left open in case someone needs transport to the ER, medical or social service appointments, or to complete steps towards finding more permanent housing.
While the people he meets on the streets of Chicago have their own incredible stories, Stephan and the team he works with are constantly moved by their experiences and friendships. In the following weeks and months, we will be learning with them how the human spirit grows to care for the poorest, most needy folks living on the streets.
Street Medicine was pioneered in Boston and Pittsburg. The Night Ministry piloted their own program in Chicago with a van, one outreach worker and a small group of dedicated volunteers. The program has grown to include a full time nurse practitioner, two full-time outreach workers, a full-time social worker and a full-time substance abuse advocate, five regular volunteers, and seven regular medical professional volunteers. Using a combination of grant money and donations they acquired another customized van for the dedicated purpose of medical outreach to Chicago's homeless population.
First and foremost, the purpose of the Street Medicine Team is to provide human connection and companionship to the homeless population in Chicago. The van carries vaccines, medicines, and medical equipment that can treat wounds, basic chronic illnesses, common acute infections, and provide harm reduction services through a needle exchange program and the distribution of Narcan to reverse acute opioid overdose. A medical practitioner (MD or NP) is usually present with a social worker, an outreach worker and one volunteer (four people in total). They ALWAYS work in pairs to stay safe. They go out every day of the week, with two shifts operating Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.
The team focuses on connecting individuals with local resources, consistent primary care, and housing and drug detox/rehabilitation services when appropriate. One seat on the van is always left open in case someone needs transport to the ER, medical or social service appointments, or to complete steps towards finding more permanent housing.
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