For 20 years, the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa John A. Burns School of Medicine’s (JABSOM) Houseless Outreach and Medical Education (H.O.M.E.) Project has been on the frontlines of Hawaiʻi’s houselessness crisis, delivering free care while training the next generation of physicians.
Founded in 2005 by Jill Omori, JABSOM‘s director of the Office of Medical Education, H.O.M.E. began as a single tent clinic.
Health isn’t just about medicine. It’s about wellbeing,
—Jill Omori
“When I was a student, I wanted experiences like this, and there was nothing,” Omori said. “When we started, we were in a tent with shower curtains for walls.”
Today, the program operates multiple mobile clinics and one brick-and-mortar site in Iwilei, serving hundreds each year. Students provide wound care, checkups and specialty services, while also connecting patients to food, housing and income support.
“The mission of H.O.M.E. is to provide the basic human right of healthcare,” said third-year JABSOM student Philip Lee. “We as medical students learn to take a patient history, perform exams and build rapport. We’re not just treating the disease, we’re treating them as a person.”
The clinics have helped ease pressure on Hawaiʻi’s healthcare system. Omori noticed that on the days they had clinics in certain areas, there were fewer EMS calls at that time.
Beyond medical care, H.O.M.E. runs annual drives for school supplies, holiday meals and gifts for mothers. “Health isn’t just about medicine. It’s about wellbeing,” Omori said.
As the project celebrates its 20th year, Omori hopes one day such services won’t be needed.
“For a long time we were the only ones providing truly free care,” she said. “Our program fills a very big need in our community.”
Lee added, “At the end of the day, we all pursue medicine because we love people. H.O.M.E. reminds you of that every day.”
