More than 800 adults in Baton Rouge are currently unhoused, living on the streets and in shelters. Providing quality medical care to this population can be extremely challenging because they are often seen as “treatment resistant.”
James O’Connell, MD, president of Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program, is nationally recognized for his compassionate approach to addressing the medical needs of the homeless. “Doctor Jim,” as his patients call him, brought his 35 years of experience to give our medical community new insights on how to most effectively address the medical needs of these patients.
Members of the community attended a continental breakfast followed by “Sheltering Hope: A Compassionate Exploration of Homelessness” on March 6 at the Marriott in Baton Rouge. Registration is required.
O’Connell gave an additional presentation for physicians and other health professionals the evening before.
Sponsors for both events were: Diamond Level - Healthy Blue; Gold Level - Our Lady of the Lake Health, Woman’s Hospital, Acadian Ambulance, First United Methodist Church of Baton Rouge, and Humana Healthy Horizons in Louisiana; Silver Level - AmeriHealth Caritas Louisiana and Louisiana Housing Corporation; Bronze Level - Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Health System, Baton Rouge General, and Baton Rouge Health District and David and Margaret Bach.