Homeless Outreach in Medical Education (HOME) at the Medical College of Wisconsin
Grow Great Futures for Everyone
The HOME Project is a welcoming, diverse, inclusive, accepting, safe space for everyone. Together we strive towards health equity and positive health outcomes for the homeless community of Milwaukee through:
- Education of both the homeless community and ourselves as doctors
- Advocacy for the social and medical needs of the homeless community
- Access to and quality of health care for the homeless community
- Being kind, reliable, and responsive to the needs of our community
Milwaukee Empty Bowls
Since 1999, MEB has hosted annual fundraisers that have given back a total of more than $943,000 to the local community. In the past 22 years, volunteers for the organization have created, donated, and sold more than 30,000 handcrafted bowls, and countless gallons of soup have been donated and served by local restaurants.
Health Advocacy in Pregnancy Infancy (HAPI) Program
Objective
Our objective is to implement a beneficial service-learning program consisting of educational modules on perinatal health and a student partnership program evaluated by participant debriefing surveys, mother retention, and health of infants.
Background
In 2017, Milwaukee’s Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) was 12.6/1000 live births, compared to the national average IMR of 5.8/1000 live births.
- The leading cause of Milwaukee’s infant deaths was prematurity.
- Homelessness during pregnancy is correlated with a higher risk of premature births resulting in poorer birth outcomes.
- A previous needs assessment identified opportunities for intervention within education and advocacy, which guided the development of the HAPI Program.
Pregnancy health topics
breastfeeding, contraception, infant care and safety, healthy eating for mom and baby, mental health
Partnership program
In our program, expecting moms are partnered with a medical student throughout their pregnancy and up to one year postpartum to serve as a resource for the mom and monitor the health of mom and baby. Incentives are given at time of sign up, 1 month postpartum, and 1 year postpartum.
Current HAPI students leaders
Polina Prokhoda (2024) – HOME Student President
Kymarie Kuster (2024) – HAPI Student Co-President
Amy Lee (2024) – HAPI Student Co-President
Bethany Korom (2024)
Rachel Greenburg (2024)
Morgan Johnson (2024)
Abby Wannow (2024)
Community Partners
Activities & Events
Eyeglass Recycling: We received hundreds of eyeglasses donations and determined their strength using a lensometer. We performed eye exams at the shelters and provided residents with the best match of strength and style for free! We have provided over 200 free glasses to date.
Student leaders: Emily Kind (2025), Gao Yang (2025), Serena Zacharias (2025)
Stand Down: Free health care screenings for veterans.
Empty Bowls: Potters create bowls and donate them to the event; proceeds benefit food pantries and meal programs in Milwaukee area.
Undy 500: Various organizations created teams and turned it into a friendly competition. Last held virtually via Amazon wish list; community donated over 3800 items to the women’s shelter.
Additional Program Information
Community Resources
- Local and State HOME Community Resources (PDF)
- Collaborative Rapid Advocacy for Youth (CRAY Responders) (PDF)
- Hand in Hand Program (PDF)
- Milwaukee Area Outreach Programs (PDF)
- New Paths Program (PDF)
- Pathfinders Emergency Youth Shelter (PDF)
- Resources for Glasses and Vision Care (PDF)
- Street Beat Youth Outreach Team (PDF)
Scholarship & Publications
Impact evaluation of patient centered, community engaged health modules for homeless pregnant women (PDF)
Needs Assessment for Creating a Patient-Centered, Community-Engaged Health Program for Homeless Pregnant Women
Journal of Patient-Centered Research and Reviews | Winter 2018
Establishment and Revision of the HOME Website (PDF)
2015 poster presentation
Awards
2011: T. Michael Bolger Standing Ovation Award. Selected by student nomination and presented by the Student Assembly in recognition of excellence in service to the Medical College of Wisconsin Students.
2011: Educational Project of the Year Award. Selected by peer nomination and presented by the Department of Family & Community Medicine in recognition as a distinguished faculty leader of the Homeless Outreach in Medical Education (HOME) Project.
2012: Scholarly Pathways Outstanding Advisor Award. Selected by students in recognition of excellence and commitment to medical student advising in the Pathways Program.
2014: Learning Resources Fund Innovation Education Project Award for the project entitled “HOME” (Homeless Outreach in Medical Education). Selected by the CEC Executive Committee in recognition of work that particularly improves the education of our students.
2016: Community of Innovators Award. Selected by MCW for a service-learning project that will create supportive environments and communities for homeless pregnant women.
Contact Us
Medical College of Wisconsin
8701 Watertown Plank Rd.
Milwaukee, WI 53226
Professor and Director, HOME & HAPI
Department of Family & Community Medicine
sdiehr@mcw.edu
