Compassion in Action at Lifebridge Salem

Last fall, I visited the Lifebridge Shelter in Salem, where I had the opportunity to shadow a medical team led by Dr. Robert Slocum, Jesús Lazu (Outreach Specialist), and Geoffrey Escott (Nurse Manager) as they cared for patients. Patients who sleep at this site, as well as others who receive certain benefits, need to be seen regularly. Due to the outreach from our team, they received medical care just as they would if they visited our family health centers. 

On this particular Thursday, our care team attended to each individual with sincerity and dignity, almost as if they were being seen at home. I was in awe of the energetic attention given, since their visits took place after completing their respective workdays. As it happens, this medical team is present every Thursday from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm, or until they can attend to the last patient who at minimum may need help organizing their daily medications, which they kindly did that evening. They see patients who have scheduled appointments beforehand, but also those who simply need to be seen at that moment. On this evening, comprehensive services included blood sugar and blood pressure checks, prescribing medications depending on the patient’s case, new patient enrollment, health insurance enrollment and renewal overview, and much more. As I observed, I was moved by our providers’ commitment to serving the community in this way. 

I want you to know that Lifebridge Shelter in Salem has the capacity to receive around 22 people permanently and an additional 10 people who may stay for one night but must take turns through a daily lottery due to limited space. Outstanding efforts like this should be acknowledged frequently. As we approach the spring season, Dr. Slocum and his team’s intention is to continue this service for as long as possible. So remember, every Thursday, if you have a patient who needs a complete evaluation in the evenings, do not hesitate to tell them—especially patients who do not have stable work or a place to sleep—that they have the possibility of being seen at this very special shelter in our Salem community. From the moment they walk in, they will feel that help and collaboration are available to support them, from the simplest needs to more complex ones, and that our team of medical professionals makes a tremendous effort to provide care with the best availability for their health. Bravo to this team! – Maria Pineda, Community Advocacy Coordinator