In 2001, Earl Thurmond, MD, in partnership with Cascade United Methodist Church, established a monthly health care clinic at the Pine Street Shelter, the largest shelter space in the southeastern United States. Operated by the Metro Atlanta Task Force for the Homeless, it offers refuge to as many as 700 men each night. They rely on more than 2,000 volunteers annually, who give over 100,000 hours of service every year.

Every month, Dr. Thurmond and other Kaiser Permanente volunteers deliver basic medical care to dozens of men. Darold Beard, MD, Jim Hipkens, MD, Tracy Carr, LPN and Linda Turner, LPN are just a few of the TSPMG clinicians who give their time to support this program.

These caregivers treat a wide range of conditions, including asthma, hypertension and chronic pain. They also provide flu vaccinations each fall. Kaiser Permanente’s Community Benefit Program pays for the medical supplies, and Cascade UMC provides a meal and personal care kits for each individual.