LANSING, Mich. — The Michigan Coalition Against Homelessness (MCAH), a statewide, non-profit membership organization committed to addressing homelessness and affordable housing, is proud to recognize the accomplishments of our Volunteer Champion at our 6th Annual Breakfast of Champions.
This year we are honored to recognize the accomplishments of Dr. R. Taylor Scott, clinical faculty advisor for Spartan Street Medicine (SSM), a new initiative at MSU dedicated to bridging the gap in healthcare for homeless community members in Lansing, Michigan. Scott, serves as the Associate Program Director of the Family Practice Residency at McLaren Greater Lansing Hospital in Lansing Michigan and has a clinical practice on campus with MSU HealthCare. He is also an assistant professor of family and community medicine in the MSU College of Osteopathic Medicine and serves as the Osteopathic Director of Medical Education at McLaren Greater Lansing Hospital.
“For many patients, their past experiences with medical care have kept them from seeking help when it is needed. I have personally witnessed Dr. Scott’s expert demeanor help people on the street feel comfortable enough to allow medical care, and even to agree to be housed when Dr. Scott encouraged them that it was the healthy thing to do.” noted Dr. Graham Atkin, Assistant Professor at the College of Osteopathic Medicine at MSU.
Since its beginning, SSM has held more than thirty-nine drop-in clinics and seventeen outreach trips to the streets of Lansing in order to provide medical care for those experiencing homelessness. Through regular and direct outreach, volunteer medical students aim to overcome barriers to health by fostering relationships with patients and community partners.
“Spartan Street Medicine bridges the healthcare gap for many individuals who are living unsheltered in the Lansing area,” stated Eric Hufnagel, executive director of the Michigan Coalition Against Homelessness. “Dr. Scott brings empathy to those who otherwise are weary of the system. His passion and commitment to bringing this care to the community’s most vulnerable populations is inspirational.”
The Breakfast of Champions is an annual event celebrating the accomplishments of the over 600 agencies working to end homelessness in Michigan. The Volunteer Champion is awarded to an individual or organization that exemplifies and embodies service to others through significant and meaningful volunteer efforts on behalf of people who are homeless or at-risk of becoming homeless. This year Fred Karnas, Senior Fellow at The Kresge Foundation and board member of Funders Together to End Homelessness, will be the guest speaker.
For more information on the work of SSM, please contact them at: spartanstreetmedicine@gmail.com. For more information about this award and the Breakfast of Champions event please visit http://bit.ly/2019BOC [bit.ly].
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