THE VIEW Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program / Fall/Winter 2014 FROM THE BRIDGE

This issue: Palliative Care at Home p2 / Gala p3 / Family Team back cover www.bhchp.org

LEAVING A MARK

A message from Chief Executive children in the greater Boston area. Officer, Barry Bock, and President, Today, we care for more than Dr. Jim O’Connell 12,000 men, women and children at 70+ locations. Our Mission: The mission of Boston As we anticipate our 30th year of Health Care for the Homeless Program caring for Boston’s homeless community Your attention, your financial support, (BHCHP) is to provide or assure access in 2015, we find ourselves reflecting a your involvement and your spreading to the highest quality health care lot on the years gone by. Particularly on the word has sustained us for three for all homeless men, women and our minds of late is an early highlight decades and we thank you from the children in the greater Boston area. of the relationship we had with Robin bottom of our hearts.  We Offer: Primary Care, Williams. He, Billy Crystal and Whoopi Behavioral Health, Oral Health, Goldberg (in the days before they were Family Services, Case Management, household names), were good friends Addictions Services, Medical to BHCHP through the partnership that Respite Care, and Outreach their charity, Comic Relief, had with the National Health Care for the Homeless Council. We received critical financial support from their nationally televised comedy specials, helping us grow into the organization we are today. We’ll never forget the day Robin spent with us on the streets and at Long Island Shelter in 1988. He was quiet and thoughtful, but once you got him going he had us, and (from left) Billy Crystal and Robin Williams with Maya Mundkur, a former BHCHP Nurse the shelter guests, rolling with laughter. Practitioner, and Dr. Jim O’Connell during We are grateful for the memories of their 1988 visit to Boston. this brilliant and caring man who felt a special closeness to the most vulnerable We Are: Administrative Staff, Building & among us. We’ve grown from a staff Maintenance Staff, Case Managers, We’ve come a long way since those of six people with a big Dental Assistants, Dentists, Food startup days thanks to you, our com- Services Staff, Behavioral Health munity of supporters and collaborators. dream to more than 300 & Substance Abuse Counselors, We’ve grown from a staff of six people Community Health Workers, Benefits with a big dream to more than 300 staff staff and 100 volunteers Enrollment Specialists, Nurse and 100 volunteers who keep that dream who keep that dream alive Practitioners, Physicians, Physician alive every day: to provide or assure Assistants, Psychiatrists, Psychologists, access to the highest quality health every day. Registered Nurses, Social Workers, care for all homeless men, women and Respite Aides, AmeriCorps/Community HealthCorps Members

The View From the Bridge is a publication of Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program, bridging the gap between homelessness and health 24/7/365. For additional information please contact: Carrie Eldridge-Dickson, Manager of Leadership Giving, ([email protected]) at 857-654-1048 or Catie Colliton, Donor Relations & Communications Coordinator, ([email protected]) at 857.654.1044. MOVING PALLIATIVE CARE FROM THE McINNIS HOUSE TO PATIENT HOME

If you’ve been reading our newsletters Katya was intelligent and articulate, but who know you and care about you,” and emails in recent years, you will likely had a difficult time accepting how ill her says McInnis House Director of Nursing, remember stories about Kervin, Jorge, mother was. Early this summer, Irina had Cheryl Kane, who was very involved in Tommy, and “Celine”—all patients who been diagnosed with metastatic breast Irina’s case. “The challenge here was that received palliative care at the Barbara cancer and her decline was precipitous. up until now, we had cared for patients McInnis House at the end of their Too ill to remain at home, she shuttled only at the McInnis House; we had never lives. As the need for more specialized between the McInnis House and a nearby done end-of-life care at home.” services and greater dignity in death hospital over the next couple of months. With Irina actively dying, our team has emerged, clinicians at the McInnis At the McInnis House, we would manage here sprang into action. They readied House have become adept at caring for her symptoms and keep her comfortable. the small apartment for her care, our patients who are dying and your But invariably, her fever would spike negotiated the necessary paperwork, support has made this level of care or she would experience other severe and coordinated the details to bring in possible. And while most of our patients cancer symptoms and we would have to hospice services. Upon discharge from stay in shelters or on the streets, BHCHP send her back to the hospital. the hospital, Irina was in terrible pain continues health services to those of and lay clutching her daughter in the our patients who have been able to “It’s a basic human right small bed they were sharing, afraid to let secure housing, often with our help. Until her go. Our medical director, Dr. Jessie this summer, however, we had never to be able to die in a Gaeta, consulted with MGH palliative provided palliative care to any patient dignified way, surrounded care expert, Erica Wilson, MD, about outside of the Barbara McInnis House. by people who know you the best pain medication and once “Irina” was a 75-year-old Eastern administered by our nurses, Irina’s pain European immigrant who at one point and care about you.” and agitation were reduced. The next in her life had lived on the streets and morning, not much more than 24 hours in shelter with her adult daughter, During Irina’s last hospital stay, she after she left the hospital, Irina died, “Katya”, before moving into housing. took a turn for the worse and Katya, with her beloved daughter Katya lying Having fled an abusive situation, they now acknowledging that her mother beside her. had been each other’s sole companion was terminal, told us that it was very “For all of us who were involved, this and support and their love was palpable. important that her mother die at home. was a powerful experience,” says Kane. Irina communicated with her BHCHP “It’s a basic human right to be able to die “It reminded us about why we went into caregiving team solely through Katya, in a dignified way, surrounded by people this profession, to care for patients and who was a strong advocate for her. families compassionately, right up to the very end.”  THE NEXT GENERATION OF LEADERS: BHCHP’S YOUNG PROFESSIONALS BOARD

What does an organization do when professional backgrounds and is focused it knows that its impact in the future on aiding BHCHP’s work through depends, in large part, on its relevance fundraising, networking, volunteer to the region’s next generation of and educational events. The Board is professional leaders? seeking to expand its reach into the world of Boston’s future leaders and is Boston Health Care for the Homeless currently seeking to add new members Program (BHCHP) is very fortunate who will bring additional skills of to partner with a growing group of influence and knowledge to BHCHP. these leaders; smart, talented and compassionate women and men who BHCHP is keenly aware that the hands offer their diverse body of professional that will help shape the future are

(from left) Aimee & Scott Cronin, Matt & Michelle Mitchell. knowledge in service to BHCHP’s present already laboring to ease the pains of and future. The group works together to the present. This generous gift of time plan events, increase awareness about and talents is enlightening the paths of our work throughout the community and change that lie ahead.  educate other young professional’s on If you or someone you know may be interested the issues of health and homelessness. in joining our program’s Young Professionals The Young Professionals Board Board, please contact Alyssa Brassil at [email protected] or 857-654-1046. at BHCHP unites a wide variety of

2 THE 5TH ANNUAL MEDICINE THAT MATTERS GALA

BHCHP was the grateful beneficiary suffering from severe and persistent of much support at our annual Medicine mental illness. For the past five years that Matters gala held on May 12th at she has cared directly for patients at our the Seaport Hotel. With meaningful St. Francis House Clinic. Dr. Shtasel has awardees and a spontaneous act of helped us improve services for those generosity, this was an event that suffering from co-occurring mental showcased our work, our partners, health and substance use disorders, and, most importantly, our patients. devoting hours each month to meeting with our clinicians and assisting us Covidien received the 5th Annual Tim with treatment plans for our most Russert Award for its philanthropic challenging patients. leadership and loyal partnership. The global health care products pioneer has Perhaps the highlight of the evening been supporting BHCHP for more than was hearing from two of our Family a decade. From its early support of our Team patients, Jason and Samantha, capital campaign that helped us reach who attended the event with their three our ambitious goal of “a home of our young sons and their doctor, Summer own” in the South End to its provision Bartholomew, MD. Becoming homeless of medical supplies and employee after Jason lost his job as a sheet metal volunteerism—Covidien has worked worker, the family was placed in a motel alongside BHCHP in delivering medicine for more than a year. After sharing their that matters to those who need it most. story of hardship and perseverance, Chairman, President, and CEO, José event guests gave a standing ovation (Joe) Almeida, accepted the award on and a small group of long-time donors Top: (from left) Corey Shtasel-Gottlieb, Zach Leighton, Covidien’s behalf. joined forces to secure a new apartment Zoe Shtasel-Gottlieb, Robert Kraft, Dr. Deri Shtasel, Dr. Gary Gottlieb; Middle: (from left) Barry Bock, for the family, rent paid for three years, Founding director of the Division of Jack Connors, José (Joe) Almeida, Dr. Jim O’Connell; and to help Jason get a job. They have Bottom: Dr. Summer Bartholomew, Jack Connors, Public and Community Psychiatry made good on these promises and this Barry Bock, Samantha & Jason and 2 of their children. and the inaugural incumbent of the young family is now settled in their new Michele and Howard J. Kessler Chair home. News in Public and Community Psychiatry at Massachusetts General Hospital, Derri With more than 520 people in Shtasel, MD, MPH was also honored attendance, the gala raised a remarkable Dr. Jim O’Connell was honored to at the event, receiving BHCHP’s Dr. Jim $650,000 that will be used to care for receive the fourth annual Al Filipov Peace O’Connell Award. An Associate Professor the complex medical and behavioral & Justice Award. The Al Filipov Peace & of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, health needs of the 12,000 patients Justice Forum was founded to promote Dr. Shtasel is also the Executive Director BHCHP cares for each year. Special peace and justice among all people and of the Kraft Family National Center for thanks to the evening’s chairs, David to demonstrate the power of an individual Leadership and Training in Community Giunta and Edmund Murphy III, as well to make a positive difference in the Health at Partners HealthCare. as “Presenting Sponsor” Natixis Global world. The forum honors the memory of Asset Management. Al Filipov, who died in the terrorist attacks Dr. Shtasel is passionately committed to  of Sept. 11, 2001. the care of poor and homeless persons Medical director of our McInnis House, Dr. Denise De Las Nueces, was named by the Boston PLEASE SUPPORT BHCHP ON cause with deep meaning amidst the Business Journal as one #GIVINGTUESDAY—DECEMBER 2 barrage of holiday ads and Black Friday of the Top 40 leaders deals? BHCHP is joining the world-wide under age 40 who are What is #GivingTuesday ? #GivingTuesday campaign and is inviting making a major impact in their respective We have a day for giving thanks. We our supporters—and those who might be fields and the civic life of the Boston area. have two for getting deals. Now we have new to our work—to make a donation to The longstanding partnership between #GivingTuesday, a global day dedicated make a difference on December 2. to giving back. #GivingTuesday is a sim- BHCHP and Hill Holliday was recognized ple idea bringing non-profits, businesses, How YOU Can Help with an award at the Boston Business individuals, and community groups Please consider making a gift of Journal’s Corporate Citizenship Summit together for one common purpose: to any amount to BHCHP on Tuesday, in September. Hill Holliday’s pro bono celebrate generosity and to give. December 2 by going online at http:// advertising efforts on behalf of BHCHP www.bhchp.org/donatenow.htm. have put a dignified face on the issue of Make a Donation to Make a Difference homelessness and given our patients a

Looking for a way to contribute to a Thank you all for your generous support!  much needed voice.

3 FAMILY TEAM RESPONDS... continued from back page CONNECT WITH In another case, “Grace” and her two saw people in their rooms,” explains Dr. children had recently moved to the Bartholomew. When BHCHP opened the BHCHP ONLINE Boston area. The children were without Crittenton clinic last October, suddenly Read our patient stories and a pediatrician and the younger child family team staffers could deliver a learn how to get involved at had chronic health conditions and wider range of services, including www.bhchp.org was about to run out of medication. preventative care like immunizations, Grace was struggling with depression some diagnostic testing, developmental and in desperate need of help. Dr. screening for children, parent education, Bartholomew saw the family in the oral health screenings and smoking motel where they are living and gave cessation. “The families are taking both children the physicals they would advantage of the services and are Board of Directors need in time to start school. The team really appreciative,” comments Dr. tracked down vaccination records Bartholomew. “That’s been rewarding.” Chair: Brett Painchaud Vice Chair: Barbara Blakeney, RN, MS from previous doctors, got medication Treasurer: Steve Tringale refilled for the younger child and is now 7,500 Larry Adams* connecting him to specialty care at Sarah Anderson, Esq. Number of family visits in FY14 Boston Medical Center. Dr. Bartholomew Bruce Bullen (1,600 families served) Tom Dehner and the team are also seeking Joanne Guarino* behavioral health resources for Grace. Christopher Lathan, MD, MS, MPH The Crittenton clinic has been so Kevin Leary successful that it has now expanded to Steven Lipiner 40 a second room where case managers, Hap Redgate counselors and nurses can meet with Lisa S. Rubinstein, MD Number of sites where the family Leonard Simons, Esq. team has delivered care (includes patients. As the team shifts to provide Brian J. Swann, DDS, MPH motels and hotels, domestic violence more services on site, they also plan to Derek Winbush* and family shelters) expand services for families to BHCHP’s * Member of BHCHP’s Consumer Advisory Board main site, Jean Yawkey Place, one Dr. Bartholomew is also working with evening each week for appointments “Leah” who lives in a shelter with and walk-in care. Philanthropic Advisory Council her 1-year old. Leah struggles with Cary W. Akins, MD depression and asthma, but she is James Brett 18 James Champy getting her primary care and behavioral Eileen and Jack Connors Members of the family team (includes health counseling from BHCHP and her George B. Donnelly ® conditions are well managed. The Family 1 AmeriCorps/Community HealthCorps Jennifer & Dennis Eckersley Margaret Boles Fitzgerald Team recently added a psychiatry fellow member, 5 case managers, 1 director, 2 MYCHILD family partners, 2 MYCHILD Robyn Glaser from MGH to their team and Leah has Richard Grande made a really positive connection with mental health clinicians, 2 nurses, Joanne Jaxtimer her, thanks in part to her doctor’s referral. 1 nurse practitioner, 2 physicians, and Rick Lord 2 therapists) Daniel P. McQuade Jan Miller Moving From Episodic to Looking to the future, the family team Alfred Minahan Thomas P. O’Neill III Comprehensive Care will be focusing on: improved integration Mitchell T. Rabkin, MD A lack of affordable housing has been of behavioral health with medical care Scott Rabschnuk one of the main drivers of the State’s and monitoring key quality measures Susan G. Reilly Stephen Rosenfeld, Esq. family homelessness crisis. While in the such as vaccinations, cancer screenings Paul Saperstein past, families might live in a shelter or and weight management. It has been Peter Smyth motel for several months before they the support of our donors that makes it John D. Spooner moved into permanent housing, today possible for BHCHP’s Family Team to so Kirk A. Sykes Suzy Welch these stays are dragging on for as long nimbly respond to the ever-growing and Benaree Wiley as two years in some cases. more long-term needs of the families in With length of stay on the rise and our care. Without this support, Sandra, Consumer Advisory Board the need for well-coordinated and Grace, and Leah and their children Chair: Larry Adams* comprehensive primary care at an would not be getting the health care they need. Dr. Bartholomew finds her Co-Chair: Joanne Guarino* all-time high, the Family Team opened Richard Guido clinics at Brighton’s Crittenton Women’s work incredibly rewarding and loves the Warren Magee, Jr. Union and Dorchester’s St. Mary’s philosophy of family medicine. “For the Andrew Maier children to be healthy, the parents have Shawnette Reed Center for Women and Children in Sarah Reid to be healthy too,” she says. the past year. “Our team used to do  Caroline Smith exclusively outreach care. We walked Derek Winbush* around with a suitcase of supplies and * Member of BHCHP’s Board of Directors

4 Our Story AMAZONSMILE. Founded in 1985, BHCHP employs the adults with complex conditions like YOU SHOP. professional medical staff that manages cancer, heart disease, pneumonia and the clinics and delivers the compre- diabetes who are too sick to live in AMAZON GIVES. hensive health care at most of greater a shelter or on the street and would Boston’s adult, family and domestic otherwise require prolonged and costly Did you know that violence shelters (Pine Street Inn, hospitalization in the acute care rooms you can donate to The New England Center for Homeless of Boston’s hospitals. BHCHP at no cost Veterans, St. Francis House, and more to you every time When you support BHCHP you reach than 70 others). BHCHP is the hands you shop from children and adults throughout greater and face of health care for over 12,000 Amazon? Go to Boston’s entire safety net community homeless adults and children each year smile.amazon.com when they are not only homeless but at sites as diverse as Crittenton Women’s and log in to your also sick.  Union and the crawl space under the Amazon account. Select “Boston Health Longfellow Bridge. BHCHP has operated Care for the Homeless Program” as your in-the-black while delivering medicine When you support BHCHP charity of choice. Each time you shop that matters to Boston’s most vulnerable Amazon will donate 0.5% of the price of population for almost 30 years. you reach children and your eligible AmazonSmile purchases to our program. AmazonSmile is the In addition, BHCHP staffs, manages and adults throughout greater same Amazon you know. Same products, delivers comprehensive health care at same prices, same service. Support 2 hospital-based clinics on the campuses Boston’s entire safety net BHCHP by starting your shopping at of Massachusetts General Hospital and community when they are smile.amazon.com! Boston Medical Center and at a clinic on the backstretch at Suffolk Downs not only homeless but Racetrack. BHCHP also staffs, manages also sick. and operates our own Barbara McInnis House at Jean Yawkey Place, a 104-bed medical respite facility for homeless

Donate YOUR SUPPORT You Can Make a Big Why Socks? Access to socks is often Difference With a Small Gift limited for homeless men and women WILL BRING... living in shelters and on the streets. You can make a big difference in the Common infections such as athlete’s the Healing comfort of a respite health and comfort of a homeless foot thrive when damp socks are worn bed for a woman with severe skin man, woman or child with a small gift. for days at a time. Frostbite is common abscesses with no other place to You can’t imagine how much these in colder months, sometimes resulting recuperate. items help our caregivers establish in toe amputations. The best way to and maintain contact or how much our the Dignity of a talking glucometer prevent such conditions is to keep feet patients appreciate your kindness. for a young man who is newly blind clean and dry—very difficult if you spend and wishes to independently manage We can never have too many of these your days outside. That’s why BHCHP his diabetes. items. has a daily foot clinic at St. Francis • new white socks House and regularly scheduled foot the Trust developed between a • new underwear (men’s and women’s) clinics at other primary care sites. nurse practitioner and her patients • diapers who attend the weekly Transgender Contact [email protected] or call • sneakers clinic for primary care and Alyssa Brassil at 857.654.1046 for • gloves behavioral health services. more information, to find out about • scarves other “Small Gift” needs or to make the Hope that a Community Support • winter hats arrangements for delivery. Worker can instill in a patient • gift cards: who is struggling with addiction, ––CVS ($5 and up) but seeking treatment at a local ––Dunkin’ Donuts ($5 and up) methadone clinic. ––McDonald’s ($5 and up) ––Stop & Shop ($20 and up) www.bhchp.org

5 NONPROFIT ORG US POSTAGE PAID BOSTON MA PERMIT NO. 294 780 Albany Street Boston, MA 02118

MEDICINE THAT MATTERS

FAMILY TEAM RESPONDS TO LONGER SHELTER STAYS WITH TWO NEW PRIMARY CARE CLINICS

There are countless reasons why it’s hard to be homeless, but the challenges increase tenfold when you are homeless with children. In Massachusetts, about 4,400 families are homeless: half stay in family and domestic violence shelters and the other half in hotels and motels. Living in a motel, especially, often means an entire family sharing one room with no way to prepare nutritious meals and no place for children to play. It can also mean limited transportation options and long walks down busy streets to get anywhere. Family homelessness can Family Team Nurse, Toni Williams, caring for a young patient. also mean a mighty struggle just to take care of your children’s health needs and, even more often, your own. BHCHP Family Team physician, Summer Bartholomew, MD, sees these realities every day, and together with her colleagues, works hard to alleviate some of the burdens. In one such example, Dr. Bartholomew has been caring for “Sandra”, a woman with type 1 diabetes living in a family shelter with her toddler. In addition to connecting this young mother with an endocrinologist, Dr. Bartholomew is providing Sandra’s primary care and helping to manage her diabetes and has referred her to BHCHP’s behavioral health team.

Photo Credits: BHCHP Staff, Roger Farrington, Christian Kozowyk continued inside on page 4