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Years ago, David Wallace, a clinical associate professor at the University of Houston College of Pharmacy, informed his wife that he would be occupied every Sunday due to his involvement in a new student-managed clinic aimed at serving Houston's homeless population. Both Wallaces are pharmacists, and now they celebrate the 25th anniversary of both their marriage and the HOMES Clinic.
The HOMES Clinic was conceived in 1999 by Dr. David Buck, founder of Healthcare for the Homeless – Houston and then a physician at Baylor College of Medicine. He is currently the associate dean of community health at UH's Fertitta Family College of Medicine. The clinic operates under HHH’s management and funding.
“The clinic is designed on three components that are considered essential to lifelong learning in underserved medicine: social, clinical and reflective practice,” Buck stated. “This structure allows students to understand the power dynamics in medicine and what is needed to develop trust in a system that is deeply broken and limited.”
Since its inception in January 2000, initially located in midtown before moving downtown, the HOMES Clinic has trained thousands of student volunteers and served over 5,000 patients. It operates Monday through Friday under HHH's direction but turns into a student-run facility on Sundays.
UHCOP Dean F. Lamar Pritchard highlighted the importance of interprofessional patient-centered care at the clinic, which received recognition with the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy Model Community Engagement Award in 2010.
Dr. Jennifer G. Christner from Baylor College of Medicine noted that their students have found participating at the HOMES Clinic as part of their extracurricular activities highly valuable.
Carlie Brown, CEO of Healthcare for the Homeless – Houston expressed pride in their partnerships with medical schools.
David Wallace has been involved since day one at HOMES Clinic mentoring students on various aspects including patient interactions and necessary paperwork.
UH Pharmacy student Chad Johnson emphasized returning to volunteer more than required due to witnessing vulnerabilities among those experiencing homelessness. "Those experiencing homelessness have different types of vulnerabilities... We want to use our training to actually make a difference for people needing help," Johnson said.
Wallace remarked on providing opportunities for pharmacy students early in their education to experience being part of a healthcare team while helping patients.
Annie Man, another UH College of Pharmacy student involved with HOMES Clinic reflected on her experience as a lesson in self-trust: “In school we break everything down... but real life is not like that... It’s a reminder to be confident and trust ourselves.”
Houston has made significant strides over ten years reducing its homelessness rate through continuous effort resulting in stable housing solutions for over 25,000 individuals facing unstable living conditions.