In the spirit of St. Vincent de Paul, DePaul University Department of Nursing is insuring that homeless men and women have access to basic health care. Parish nurses under the direction of Suzie McNulty BSN have long realized the need for health services, beyond what they were providing during monthly blood pressure checks. Dr. Lin Drury DNSc RN, Associate Professor of Nursing, with a distinguished background in health care for homeless men and women, is providing the leadership for the initiative known as DePaul University Department of Nursing Services. Funded by the Vincentian Endowment of DePaul University, and with support from the Pastor of St. Vincent de Paul Parish, Father Don Ours C.M., and Pastoral Assistant, Sister Marie Orf, C.PP.S., Susan Poslusny PhD, RN, Department of Nursing Chairperson and Roberta Fruth, PhD, RN, Vice-President for Patient Care Services St. Josephs Hospital, Dr. Drury and her undergraduate and graduate students are providing nursing services to the homeless men and women who frequent St. Vincent de Paul's food pantry ministry. The goals are to address these health care needs through assessment, nursing care and referral; to promote communication and coordination between health care facilities and government systems; and to document the nursing care and services delivered.

The homeless of Lincoln Park/Sheffield Neighborhood define a paradox. Years of neighborhood gentrification, the conversion of multiple family units to single family dwellings and the corresponding escalating property values have resulted in the migration of low income residents and associated community social service support systems out of the neighborhood into less costly areas. However, the homeless have remained.

St. Vincent de Paul Parish, amid the gentrification, has consistently provided food, clothing, and solace to the Lincoln Park/Sheffield homeless. Many of these people, served by the Parish suffer from acute and/or chronic mental and physical health problems, and many have not experienced even the most rudimentary health care.

Currently, students of Nursing, under the direction of Dr. Drury and participating faculty, provide foot care, physical check-ups, blood pressure monitoring, medication information, case management, and referral for acute illness or emergency treatment. For example, a homeless Guatemalan immigrant was hit by a car and hospitalized at Cook County Hospital. He was discharged with a major knee injury but did not schedule surgery because he speaks little English. Surgery was scheduled when Dr. Drury's students intervened. Another man claiming to sleep in the emergency room of a local hospital had not been seen by a health care provider. Dr. Drury's students evaluated his health status, finding probable heart failure, prostate enlargement, and probable chronic obstructive lung disease. Consequently, the students scheduled this man for multiple specialty clinic services at St. Joseph's Hospital. The estimated cost to DePaul University Nursing Services for each person referred is five dollars. St. Joseph Hospital shares an allegiance to the Daughters of Charity and the mission of St. Vincent de Paul and, as a member of the Resurrection Health Care, is part of the largest Catholic health care network in the Chicago metropolitan area.

Participating faculty are: Susan Poslusny PhD RN Chairperson DePaul University Department of Nursing, Kim Amer PhD RN, Julie Donalek DNSc RN, Karyn Holm PhD RN, Ronald Graf DNSc RN, and Lola Prince MS RN. Parish nurses, Susie McNulty BSN and Laurie Quinn PhD RN also plan to volunteer. Department of Nursing Services is open on Monday and Wednesday from 10am-1pm. Plans for the future are to continue the Department of Nursing Services at St. Vincent de Paul Parish as an ongoing DePaul University Department of Nursing commitment; to obtain external funding to complement Department of Nursing support; to initiate services for the elderly of the parish; and to identify community partners for a respite center that will serve homeless men and women of the north-side of Chicago.