In the wake of historic flooding on Oʻahu鈥檚 North Shore, University of Hawaiʻi at M膩noa (JABSOM) students continue to provide care where it鈥檚 urgently needed. On March 23, JABSOM鈥檚 Houseless Outreach and Medical Education (H.O.M.E.) Project—a student-run initiative that provides free healthcare to unsheltered and underserved communities—set up an on-site clinic at Waialua Elementary, treating 25 patients with a team of 16 student volunteers under the guidance of faculty.

“We鈥檝e been seeing a wide range of patients. We鈥檝e seen a fair amount with wounds and infections, probably from the storm water,” said Jill Omori, H.O.M.E. Project director.

Other patients sought care for back pain, joint pain and eye infections, conditions that can worsen when access to routine care is disrupted.

“We also saw people with GI (gastrointestinal) problems because of the contaminated water, but also just regular medical issues like hypertension or diabetes that still need to be controlled,” Omori said.

Student dedication and rural health disparities

The clinic weaves hands-on care into the JABSOM curriculum, but Omori said the majority of the students today came on their own time.

“A lot of times, the students come down to the North Shore and do service projects here and there,” Omori said. “But something like this really hits home for them. It鈥檚 really nice for them to be able to give back to the community this way.”

Second-year medical student Michael Ajimura saw that impact firsthand.

“A lot of people weren鈥檛 able to get care because of the past few days of flooding, as well as those who were injured helping out or because of the flooding,” Ajimura said. “Just being able to help them has been really rewarding. When we say that we care for the community, it鈥檚 everyone. Being out here is fulfilling, and it鈥檚 something a lot of the students are more than willing to do.”

The response also highlighted the broader issue of rural health in Hawaiʻi, which is exacerbated during a disaster.

“Rural health doesn鈥檛 just mean the neighbor islands,” Omori said. “Waialua is a great example of a rural community right here on Oʻahu. They have some of the same problems that other rural communities have, even without storms. I think it just emphasizes some of the rural health disparities and the need for more equitable care.”

As recovery continues on the North Shore, JABSOM鈥檚 H.O.M.E. Project plans to hold a pop-up clinic every day during the week of March 23. They will either be at Waialua District Park or at Haleiwa Beach Park. .

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