Hello AAPA Members,
I wanted to bring your attention to Circle the City which is a wonderful nonprofit organization that I know and love right here in Arizona that is doing great work in the Valley. Their mission is to “to create and deliver innovative healthcare solutions that compassionately address the needs of men, women, and children facing homelessness.” I had the privilege of volunteering for them a few years ago not as a physician assistant but doing data entry. Although most patient advocates in our organization are not seeing many clients without housing, we never know who we will encounter that we can help and might need the support of Circle the City. If you are ever looking to volunteer at an organization (other than AAPA ), this would be a great place to start.
Circle the City was founded by Sister Adele O’Sullivan CSJ, MD who provided medical care to those living on the streets. Circle the City now runs two 50-bed medical respite centers, two outpatient healthcare clinics, and five mobile medical units that provide medical care to individuals right where they are. They provide a safe place for people to live and heal after discharge from a hospital and so much more.
Take a look at their Core Values. They seem very similar to those held by patient advocates. Would you agree?
On their website, they have compiled a Community Resource Guide that could benefit not only those facing homelessness in Maricopa County, but could help all community members in need. They list resources for transportation, domestic violence, food banks, behavioral health, shelters, legal assistance, crisis hotlines, and so much more. Resource Guide
Thanks for reading about Circle the City.
Is there a nonprofit organization working in the patient advocacy or health care arena that you know and love that you want to share with AAPA. Please send an email to admin@ArizonaAPA.org and we would love to highlight it.
Submitted by Jennifer Whalen, DHSc, PA-C, BCPA