The University of Redlands has partnered with Loma Linda University to offer walk-in medical services for the homeless during the California “stay at home” period. The situation has closed many private shelters that previously offered services for homeless individuals.
U of R alumnus Mark Milliron ’76, who is assistant professor of Physician Assistant Sciences at Loma Linda University and director of the clinic, brought the two universities together in response to the hardship he was seeing in the community.
“These are challenging times as it is, and, for those who are homeless and have chronic medical conditions, this becomes a daily fight for survival,” he says. “I’m amazed at how quickly these two universities came together to address this need.”
Staffed by Loma Linda University medical personnel, the clinic is held on the University’s main campus in Hentschke Hall, Room 102, chosen due to its proximity to Sylvan Park and the availability of restroom facilities. The clinic is staffed to see six to eight individuals each day.
Aside from offering prescriptions for chronic conditions such as diabetes and hypertension, clinic personnel provide screening and point clients toward education or, if necessary, urgent care or emergency facilities.
Milliron says, "We’ve caught one individual who was having extreme acute kidney failure, and have dealt with a number of significant problems that would have gone untreated had the University not been so gracious to us. I love that I get to do something at my alma mater where I had so many wonderful friends and memories. It really has been rewarding, and I am thankful to all who were concerned."
Patients visiting the clinic also receive hygiene kits containing a pair of clean socks, sanitizer, soap, deodorant, toothbrush, toothpaste, and throat lozenges.
Clinic hours are from 3:45 to 6 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays and from 4:45 to 6 p.m. on Saturdays. To assist in social distancing, clients arriving for services remain in the parking lot east of Hentschke Hall until called.
Learn more about the University of Redlands.
