The Medical Team

Women of Means volunteers have established practices with backgrounds in Cardiology, Dermatology, Family Practice, Internal Medicine, Emergency Medicine, Pediatrics and Psychiatry.

Recognizing that many doctors and other medical professionals want to 'give back' but lack the connections, the proper equipment or the nursing support to do so, Women of Means makes volunteering as simple as possible. From the interview process on, the Medical Director works to create a good match between the doctor and a shelter site. She orients the doctors to the cultural and medical world of the homeless, provides training and ongoing supervision.

Once assigned to her site, the doctor simply arrives at a regularly scheduled time, sets out a clipboard for sign-up and sees patients on a first come, first served basis. There are no insurance forms to fill out. In the busiest shelters, there is always a nurse who provides clinical continuity for the next shift. When the volunteer is done, she can leave and return to her regular job.

All clinicians are required to have an active Massachusetts license, certification to dispense prescriptions and malpractice coverage. To represent the volunteers' point of view, two volunteer physicians serve on the board of directors.