Munson Healthcare Donates $300,000 to Expand Accessible Medical Care for Homeless Population

Munson Healthcare recently announced a donation of $300,000 to Traverse Health Clinic to support the expansion of their Street Medicine Program. This initiative, which began in July 2022, is a collaboration between Munson Healthcare, Traverse Health Clinic, and Goodwill Northern Michigan’s Street Outreach team. The project aims to provide medical care to individuals experiencing homelessness by bringing a fully-equipped hospital exam room in a box truck to locations such as homeless shelters and encampments.

The additional funds will enhance access to care for homeless patients and complete accessibility upgrades to Traverse Health Clinic’s mobile medical unit. The donation will also enable the hiring of a full-time community coordinator to oversee comprehensive wraparound services and manage operational costs for the program. According to Ed Ness, president and CEO of Munson Healthcare, individuals experiencing homelessness are highly susceptible to significant illness and chronic health conditions. Munson Healthcare is committed to providing access to necessary care, including preventative services, to address the growing number of homeless individuals in the community.

Traverse Health Clinic CEO Casey Kandow expressed gratitude for Munson Healthcare’s support and emphasized the importance of partnerships in providing critical healthcare services to the unhoused population. The Street Medicine Program has already served over 1,000 individuals since its launch in 2022.