Primary Care Training and Enhancement -- Residency Training in Street Medicine - Address: 405 Belcher Street, Centreville, AL 35042-2946 Project Director Name: Lacy Smith, MD Email Address: lacy.smith@cahabamedicalcare.com Contact Phone Numbers (Voice): 205-277-2396 | (Fax): 205-316-7675 Website Address: www.cahabamedicalcare.com Needs Addressed Cahaba Medical Care (CMC) serves a patient base of over 40,000 individuals, many of whom experience housing instability, chronic health issues, and significant barriers to care. Jefferson County, alongside several rural counties in central Alabama, has a persistent shortage of primary care providers, intensified by the lack of consistent outreach services for those facing homelessness or limited financial resources. Proposed Services Building on its established four-track, 20-20-20 Family Medicine Residency Program, CMC will expand street medicine services through an interdisciplinary outreach that includes weekly shelter-based care and mobile outreach to encampments. Residents will learn to manage chronic conditions, provide mental health and addiction treatment, and coordinate with social workers, behavioral health consultants, and legal professionals through CMC’s Medical-Legal Partnership for its population of patients experiencing homelessness. Training will emphasize cultural humility, social determinants of health, and evidence-based approaches to caring for underserved populations, specifically those experiencing homelessness, including harm reduction strategies and collaborative interprofessional teamwork. Population Groups Served This initiative primarily focuses on adults and families living without stable housing in the Jefferson County section of CMC’s catchment area. These individuals are disproportionately affected by chronic illnesses, substance use, and socioeconomic constraints. Many live below the federal poverty line, lack health insurance, or rely on publicly funded coverage, making street-based outreach a critical element of care access. Funding Priority CMC requests consideration for Rural Training Priority, given its extensive presence in Health Provider Shortage Areas and the inclusion of dedicated rural tracks within the residency program. Funding Preference CMC also requests a Medically Underserved Community (MUC) Funding Preference, reflecting its track record of placing graduates in underserved settings and high-need regions across Alabama. Summary This project will integrate a dedicated street medicine curriculum into CMC’s family medicine residency program, equipping new physicians with the skills to care for individuals without stable housing. By leveraging robust partnerships, interprofessional training, and evidence-based outreach strategies, CMC will both enhance patient outcomes and build a stronger primary care workforce ready to serve Alabama’s most vulnerable communities.
