Bringing healthcare directly to individuals experiencing homelessness, the University of Hawaiʻi at 惭ā苍辞补 (JABSOM) is expanding its street medicine efforts across the state thanks to a new $1.7 million grant.
Awarded by the (HRSA), the multi-year funding will support outreach and training on Oʻahu, Hawaiʻi Island and Kauaʻi through JABSOM‘s . The five-year grant begins with $362,140 in year one, and prepares the next generation of family medicine physicians to serve Hawaiʻi‘s most vulnerable populations.
“This is an absolute blessing,” said Robert Carlisle, project director and JABSOM associate professor. “This is good for the state. This is good for the family medicine physicians. This is good for the people of Hawaiʻi.”
Expanding outreach
The funding will launch new street medicine experiences for family medicine residents in Waiʻanae, Hawaiʻi Island, and JABSOM’s new Kauaʻi program, which will train the first cohort on Oʻahu in 2026.
Carlisle credited partners, including HRSA’s Steven Coulter, JABSOM’s Chip Hixon, and site leads Cynthia Ohata, Ellen Bell, Megan Martelly, Doug Rose and Thomas Quattlebaum, with support from various local organizations.
“As physicians and professionals, we have a duty to society and the community around us,” Carlisle said.
Integrating behavioral health
Program leaders also plan to expand behavioral health and addiction services.
“The really tough lift will be to integrate behavioral medicine and addiction care into our outreach on the street,” Carlisle said. “Make no mistake, this was a massive effort to bring together four different programs across the state on three different islands. There was a lot of coordination and enthusiasm from all of us to recognize the potential benefits of street medicine.”
Seed funding from the Hawaiʻi Academy of Family Physicians, JABSOM’s Office of Medical Education, and the Hawaiʻi Medical Association helped launch the project.
“The small seed grants grew this much larger investment in street medicine,” Carlisle said. “This experience should have a profound impact with influence lasting over the next 30 years of their careers.”
To help purchase basic supplies like bandages and footwear, consider supporting the JABSOM .
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