In late October, Hamot Health Foundation (HHF) and BUILD CDC launched a street medicine program to serve Erie’s most vulnerable populations. This innovative approach leans into relationship-building to deliver trusted health care to individuals in non-traditional settings, such as local community shelters, encampments, and on the street.
Leading this initiative is BUILD CDC's Sarah Prylinski, RN, who focuses on providing essential health care and medication management to those in need. In just a few months' time, she's gained the trust of a growing list of patients, or, as we like to call them, our friends experiencing homelessness.
Some friends have a wider scope of needs than others, melding social, medical, and mental health needs. Still, “Miss Sarah”—as she's frequently called—forges meaningful connections with each new friend she meets, offering them personalized, compassionate care.
The way Sarah pairs the street medicine concept of meeting people where they are with her extensive nursing experience and unparalleled passion is fueling the early success of our nascent program.
"UPMC Hamot does a phenomenal job of taking care of our patients when they reach our doors," said HHF President, Boo Hagerty, "but the street medicine program addresses the access and trust barriers people face outside the hospital."
Take Eddie, for example. He is pictured here with Sarah as she checks his blood sugar in early January. Sarah gained his trust over the fall, and they now meet weekly at the Mental Health Association of Northwest PA, a setting that is familiar to Eddie.
“Sarah has helped me a lot with my medications,” Eddie shared.
Eddie has a complex medical history with medications for diabetes, blood pressure, pain, and mental health. Before meeting Sarah, he struggled to keep track of his medications, causing potentially life-threatening complications.
Now, however, Sarah stores his medications safely in her locked office at the Mental Health Association. At their weekly meetings, Sarah refills Eddie's pillbox and checks on his general well-being, using his glucometer to assist him in testing his blood sugar levels.
Eddie appreciates Sarah for the help she provides, but even more so for her compassion, her consistency, and her humble nature. He isn't alone in this sentiment. Sarah's presence is a salve to many.
“She’s had a big impact here. On all of us,” said Kimberly, another of Sarah's patients who is experiencing homelessness. The program's impact stems from the Dr. and Mrs. Arthur William Phillips Trust, whose generous grant helped launch the program in October 2024. 
The BUILD CDC and HHF teams are currently collaborating on grant applications to expand the program. It's apt timing. Across Pennsylvania, homelessness increased 12% from 2023 to 2024, a metric that, locally, is driving a growing demand for street medicine services.
The BUILD CDC and HHF teams are currently collaborating on grant applications to expand the program. It's apt timing. Across Pennsylvania, homelessness increased 12% from 2023 to 2024, a metric that, locally, is driving a growing demand for street medicine services.
Individuals experiencing homelessness are vulnerable to health issues than their housed peers. Studies show they have higher rates of disease and disability and face poorer prognoses. A higher prevalence of mental health conditions, substance use disorders, victimization, and physical and sexual violence all contribute to a magnification of health disparities and poor outcomes. Street medicine mitigates this troubling confluence of health factors, improving outcomes and overall well-being. In doing so, it strengthens the entire community.
Do you want to help support our street medicine efforts? Donate today to our Social Impact Fund and help us bring trusted access to health care to those who need it most.