Emergency physician Jordan N. Vaughn, MD, clinical assistant professor at the LSU School of Medicine and public health clinical director for the New Orleans Health Department, helps deliver critical health care services to New Orleans’ most vulnerable populations and is keenly aware of Dr. Zhang’s legacy.

Through a partnership with LSU’s Street Medicine Program and the city’s initiatives to improve housing opportunities, Dr. Vaughn and her team bring health care directly to those living on the streets, filling gaps in access, and addressing the complex needs of these communities.

The LSU Street Medicine Program, primarily a mobile health outreach initiative, engages medical students in providing health services to people who are unhoused or facing extreme poverty.

Services are extensive and go beyond traditional medicine, including distributing essentials like toiletries, clothing, snacks, and vitamins, and providing guidance on obtaining identification or filling out paperwork for housing and health care.

“This is a patient population that’s frequently misunderstood,” Dr. Vaughn said. “One decision or one life event can put somebody in this situation. These programs and the outreach we do remind me of why I went into medicine and why, as emergency physicians, we do what we do.”

Partnering with the Mayor’s Office of Homeless Services and Strategy, Dr. Vaughn’s team also coordinates care and resources for residents of New Orleans’ encampments, areas designated for the homeless. The effort is both strategic and empathetic, as they map out high-priority encampments using 911 and EMS data and spend the first two weeks establishing rapport.

“Each encampment, especially in New Orleans, has its own flavor of needs,” Dr. Vaughn said. “A lot of time is just spent introducing myself with ‘Hey, I’m Dr. Vaughn, and I’m coming out every morning.’ You wear them down a little bit because they’re like, ‘Okay, this is familiar. She keeps showing up.’”

Once trust is established, the team works on individualized plans to overcome barriers to housing and health care. Some struggle with addiction. Others face challenges related to disabilities. In cases where it wouldn’t be safe to place a person in independent housing, the team arranges for long-term care. By the end of their outreach period, they’ve created a name list, identified barriers, and coordinated with case workers to ensure everyone receives appropriate support.

In addition to housing and outreach, Dr. Vaughn’s team delivers a range of medical services on the street, meeting many residents’ primary care needs.