Saint Michael’s Delivers Free Services to the Homeless

Nurses and counselors from Saint Michael’s were on hand to provide diabetes screening, HIV testing, and other services.  Aretha Hill-Forte, manager of the hospital’s cancer screening programs, counseled men and women on the need for cancer screening.

“Sometimes people will come to us for cancer screening, and we will find that they need primary care for other health issues,” said Hill-Forte, who helped make arrangements for people to visit Saint Michael’s for mammograms and other services.

Saint Michael’s staff also provided rapid HIV tests — with results available in only 20 minutes — and offered private counseling.

“The key to counseling people on HIV prevention is getting them to open up and feel comfortable with you,” said Wanda Almadovar, an HIV counselor.

Corinne Francis, vice president of Mission Integration at Saint Michael’s, said the hospital’s participation in the event reflects Catholic Health East’s focus on bringing health care to the homeless.

“Events like this one help bring life to our mission to provide excellence in care to the communities we serve,” Francis said.