JeffHOPE

JeffHOPE (Health Opportunities, Prevention & Education) is a student-run organization of Sidney Kimmel Medical College that aims to improve access to health care for the homeless and housing insecure populations of Philadelphia, as well as to educate students, residents, and faculty members about medical issues, homelessness and poverty. It was formed in 1991 by a group of medical students who identified a need in the homeless community for proper medical care.

While JeffHOPE provides acute care, emotional support, and health education through free clinics, we also strive to improve our patients’ access to a longitudinal source of primary care and to help address the social and behavioral health barriers that impact their health. We currently operate clinics at four Philadelphia area homeless shelters and one safe needle exchange site. At all of our clinics, teams of medical students and medical doctors work together to provide quality care and resource referral for our patients.

JeffHOPE is one of the largest and most active student organizations of Jefferson, involving more than 200 medical students and over 50 resisdent physicians or house staff each year. Our clinics are responsible for over 5,000 patient visits per year. The program receives a great deal of support from the University and Hospital, especially from the Departments of Family & Community Medicine and Medicine - Division of Internal Medicine. JeffHOPE is led by student Steering Committees and student directors. Our faculty advisor is Robert Motley, MD, MHCDS in the Department of Family & Community Medicine.