HumanKind is fortunate to work with many partner agencies, which enables us to offer truly wraparound care. One of those agencies is Hunter Health which, as Kansas’s first Health Care for the Homeless provider*, served more than 14,500 unique individuals in 2021. HumanKind’s relationship with Hunter Health dates to the 1990s when HumanKind gifted Hunter Health land on which to build their Market St. Clinic. Since then, the HumanKind clinic on our campus has become an essential resource, seeing 1,100-2,000 unique patients in a typical year, both from HumanKind and the surrounding community.
61% of Hunter Health’s patient base falls at or below the federal poverty guideline and they receive government grants specifically for the treatment of homeless patients. Qualifying homeless patients are not charged any fees for Hunter Health’s services, which operate on a very untraditional model. CEO Amy Feimer explains: “Many of our patients are not prioritizing preventative care so we don’t know when we’re going to see them again. Unlike traditional medical care, we offer medical, dental, vision, obstetric, pharmacy, x-ray, lab, and behavioral health all in one place, so our patients can get the most out of a single visit.”
As well as being a significant care provider to the homeless community, Hunter Health also works directly in HumanKind’s facilities. Their Shelter Nurse visits The Inn and The Studios weekly, providing a variety of basic care including blood pressure checks, wound care, viral testing, and lab work. She also connects clients to Hunter Health’s in-clinic services and arranges transportation for these visits. Hunter Health also offers monthly health education classes at The Studios for residents on topics including dental hygiene, tobacco cessation, HIV/STI education and testing, alcohol and substance abuse prevention, anxiety reduction, and healthy sleep habits.
HumanKind President/CEO LaTasha St. Arnalt says “The work Hunter Health does inside our facilities is invaluable. For many clients experiencing homelessness, there are very few places they feel safe. This partnership allows us to meet them where they are and bring what they need to them, whether it’s essential nursing assistance or more long-term life skills. When agencies come together with mutual respect, we can do so much more than we can alone. Simply put, partnerships like the one we have with Hunter Health help us impact more people that need us, and that’s what we’re all here to do.”
We are so grateful to work alongside such dedicated service providers like Amy and her whole team. For more information about our partner agencies please visit HumanKindWichita.org/community-partners.
Hunter Health operates three clinics in Wichita which serve all individuals who are eligible for its programs without discriminating. For more information, please visit HunterHealth.org or their Facebook page @HunterHealthClinic.
*Hunter Health is also Kansas’s first Federally Qualified Health Center and its only Urban Indian Health Program.
