Support the Street Medicine Program
Baylor University Medical Center’s Street Medicine Program delivers essential healthcare, mental health support and chronic disease management to unhoused individuals in Dallas. Launched through philanthropy, continued donor support is vital to sustain and grow this life-changing initiative.
In its first year, the program delivered measurable impact for individuals experiencing homelessness across Dallas.
Dr. Ti Hoang & Dr. John Garrett lead the Street Medicine Program
Your role in transforming lives
BUMC launched this program in 2024 with a grant from the Street Medicine Institute and additional funding is needed to sustain and grow this pilot program. Your support will ensure the program can continue to deliver essential care to Dallas’ most vulnerable residents, helping to improve health outcomes and build a healthier, more resilient community.
Street Medicine by the numbers
In its first year, the Street Medicine program has delivered measurable results, showing how donor support is improving care for individuals experiencing homelessness in Dallas.
900+
In its first year, the Street Medicine program enrolled more than 900 patients, delivering consistent care to individuals experiencing homelessness across Dallas.
30%
Among enrolled patients, Street Medicine helped reduce hospital visits by 30 percent, easing reliance on emergency care and supporting better long-term health outcomes.
1,500+
Street Medicine teams completed more than 1,500 patient visits in year one, providing primary care, mental health support and chronic disease management directly in the community.
Dallas’s first
Launched in 2024, Baylor University Medical Center’s Street Medicine program became Dallas’s first, expanding access to care through philanthropy and community partnership.
The healthcare crisis among Dallas’ homeless population
With an estimated 3,700 individuals experiencing homelessness in Dallas, many face chronic medical conditions, mental health challenges and limited access to consistent healthcare. As a result, emergency departments (EDs) often serve as a primary source of medical care. At Baylor University Medical Center (BUMC), over 10% of daily patient visits in the ED (23–35 people) involve those who are unsheltered.
Addressing the urgent needs of the unsheltered
Despite significant healthcare needs, individuals experiencing homelessness often lack consistent access to care for complex and chronic conditions.
The Street Medicine Program at BUMC fills this gap by providing direct medical care to unhoused individuals, preventing unnecessary ED visits and reducing hospitalizations. By addressing both acute and long-term health needs, the program improves health outcomes and quality of life for one of Dallas’s most underserved populations.
Street Medicine has already shown that consistent, relationship-based care can reduce emergency visits and help stabilize health for people who might otherwise seek care only during medical emergencies.
Street Medicine: Meeting patients where they are
To address the needs of this vulnerable population, leaders at BUMC launched the Street Medicine Program in 2024. Modeled after successful street medicine programs across the nation, this initiative helps individuals manage both acute health needs and chronic conditions such as diabetes, hypertension and mental health issues.
The only program in Dallas delivering care directly to unhoused individuals, the Street Medicine Program offers medical and psychiatric services, substance use treatment, medication, lab testing and inpatient consults. By building trust, the program fosters long-term engagement, stabilizes health and connects patients with essential community resources.
Each visit averages more than 20 minutes — far longer than a typical clinic appointment — allowing the team to address medical, mental health and social needs together.
Additionally, the program offers graduate medical students and fellows invaluable hands-on experience, equipping the next generation of healthcare providers with the skills and empathy needed to serve in underserved communities.
Year one has shown what’s possible — but the need across Dallas remains far greater. With continued donor support, the Street Medicine team is ready to expand its reach and serve more neighbors with consistent, compassionate care.
Your gift directly supports Street Medicine’s work in Dallas.
Featured stories
Learn how donors are making a difference in the Street Medicine Program and other patient-centered programs at Baylor Scott & White.
