Dermatology clinic and Street Medicine recognized in Milan, Italy and Dallas, Texas.

The World Congress of Dermatology in Milan
Mark Holzberg, M.D., Mercy Care volunteer physician and founder of Avail Dermatology in Newnan, Georgia, was honored with the International Award for Social Responsibility in Dermatology in North America and a €20,000 ($22,457.20) grant.

When the World Congress of Dermatology convenes every four years, only one project on five continents (Europe, North America, Latin America, Asia Pacific and Africa-Middle East) is awarded. There were 123 applications from 34 different countries submitted this year.

In 2018, Dr. Holzberg took the lead on helping Mercy Care add dermatology to its list of services for its patients, 67% of whom are homeless. He recruited eight dermatologists from members the Atlanta area to help run the clinic every other week. Located at the Gateway Center for the homeless, the clinic is open to patients scheduled by Mercy Care or anyone who walks off the street with skin problems; people who otherwise would have not access to a dermatologist due to living in poverty and being uninsured.

Dr. Holzberg has served as president and then medical director of the Georgia Dermatologic Network, an organization involved in ensuring access to dermatology for all patients.

The grant will be used to expand the program to other Mercy Care locations, increasing the number of services, providing equipment and medicine for the program and developing a Street Medicine component for dermatology care.

Held every four years under the auspices of the International League of Dermatological Societies (ILDS), the World Congress of Dermatology is the oldest (since 1889) and most widely recognized international dermatology gathering. The ILDS is a non-government organization in official relations with the World Health Organization. L’Oreal is the major sponsor.

Catholic Health Assembly in Dallas
Nominated by Trinity Health, Mercy Care’s Street Medicine team and its CEO Tom Andrews shared the stage with Mount Carmel Health System in Columbus, Ohio, in accepting the 2019 Achievement Citation for Street Medicine programs.

On week days and nights, a nurse practitioner, case manager, psychiatrist, volunteer physicians and provider level health professional (MD, DO, NP, PA) students team up for Street Medicine. Together, they provide mental and physical healthcare including medications on the street, under bridges and in parking lots. The ultimate goal is to build relationships by providing treatment that leads to wellness, housing and reconnecting people to their support groups such as family or church. Recently they have started rounding on patients they have successfully moved into housing to make sure the transition is smooth.

In 2018, Mercy Care’s Street Medicine team had 3,497 encounters with homeless offering services and earning trust. They provided primary are services to 680 homeless people on the street, psychiatry services to 428, and nursing services to 66.

The Catholic Health Association’s annual Catholic Health Assembly is the premiere gathering of Catholic healthcare leaders in the United States. The two-and-one-half day conference brings leaders across the ministry together for learning, networking, celebration and renewal.