‘It could be providing that lifeline to other services’: Mosaic receives ‘seed grant’ for street medicine program

(Update: Adding video, comments from Mosaic Community Health, founder of Street Medicine Institute)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Mosaic Community Health, a Central Oregon nonprofit, announced Monday that they have been awarded one of two national Street Medicine Institute 2024 Seed Grants, helping to expand a program already in place here for the past several months.

Mosaic, along with Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas, TX are this year’s recipients of the annual award, which includes a grant in the amount of $10,000 and a year of intensive consultative support from street medicine experts.

A three-person mobile clinic team has been piloting street medicine rounds across Central Oregon for nearly a year.

The team includes a Mosaic medical provider, medical assistant, and community health worker to bring care to people living unsheltered. They bring backpacks with medical supplies out to the streets of Central Oregon and the forest, such as the China Hat and Juniper Ridge encampments south and north of Bend.

"Street medicine is about going to people, and so that's what we hope it will be actually is for the consultants to really work with us and help us design this larger program for the entire region," said Elaine Knobbs-Seasholtz, director of strategy and development for Mosaic Community Health.

"To be able to go out to people and build those relationships and trust and know that it's not only providing them medical care, but it could be providing that lifeline to other services, and maybe even eventually the housing," she added.

Street Medicine Institute founder Dr. Jim Withers said Tuesday, "It really changes the view of health care when you sit by the riverbank or in the alley and just listen to someone and get to know who they are and what they're up against."

Withers, who has worked with those living on the streets for 30 years, says he's excited to be partnering with Mosaic to learn more about the area's diverse community. 

"We're excited, I think, to have a community that's, if I can say rural, as Bend is, because we're aware of the need of the smaller communities to have the street medicine model," Withers said.

According to Withers, the mortality rate for those on the street is 10 times higher than the rest of the population, with a median age of death at 52.

"When you began just seeing what's out there, and then have an answer to people that have given up hope, then it makes a huge difference," Withers said.

Below is the press release from Mosaic Community Health:

“The Street Medicine Institute congratulates Mosaic Community Health on their selection as a 2024 Seed Grant recipient,” said Suzanne Lemaire Lozier, Program Director, Street Medicine Institute. “In a competitive grant process, Mosaic's strong application and track record of high-quality, community-led health care demonstrated that they are well-equipped to pilot a successful street medicine program.”

The SMI Seed Grant program furthers their mission of assisting communities to establish their own street medicine programs. Now in its fourth year, the program supports the provision of health care directly to unhoused individuals by providing expert training and guidance to help communities and clinicians grow their own street medicine efforts.

“Our Seed Grant Committee is impressed with Mosaic’s passion for identifying regional healthcare needs and their commitment to developing services to meet those needs,” said Lemaire Lozier. “We look forward to supporting the Mosaic team as they bring sorely needed health care services to people living unsheltered in Central Oregon.”

The Mobile Clinic team at Mosaic has been piloting street medicine rounds in several locations in Central Oregon for nearly a year. A multi-disciplinary team including a Mosaic medical provider, medical assistant and community health worker provide wrap-around, team-based care to people living unsheltered.

“This grant will allow us to learn from the experts and expand our street medicine program to multiple locations and increase our weekly rounds,” said Mosaic CEO Megan Haase, FNP. “Our overarching goal for the next year is to continue to decrease barriers to health and well-being by bringing care directly to individuals experiencing unsheltered homelessness. It is an honor to receive this recognition from the Street Medicine Institute and we look forward to their support in the coming year.”

About Mosaic Community Health:

Mosaic Community Health (formerly known as Mosaic Medical) is a nonprofit community health center that serves Central Oregonians from all walks of life. Through a network of more than a dozen clinics, we offer integrated health services that address each patient’s medical, dental, behavioral health, nutrition and medication needs. Our care is never influenced by how much money our patients make, what language they speak or the status of their insurance coverage. Mosaic Community Health provides quality care for all. For more information, please visit MosaicCH.org.