Original article by Veronica Morley. Posted August 21, 2025
In Kern County, summer heat can be dangerous; even deadly, for people living without shelter. At Clinica Sierra Vista, our Street Medicine program is working every day to meet this challenge head-on by bringing healthcare directly to those who need it most.
Hear from Matthew Beare, M.D., on how this care saves lives and helps patients take steps toward stability.
“Most of what we have to give out today, whether it’s clothes, cold water, that’s all, from donations… we can absolutely use more sunscreens, cold water, Pedialite, Gatorade; all that stuff is a literal lifesaver in these circumstances” — Dr. Matthew Beare, M.D.
Immediate Needs
Street Medicine teams have grown from a single group in Bakersfield to multiple teams serving communities across Kern County—and even reaching Fresno. Every morning, our providers, nurses, case managers, and support staff load up supplies before heading out to riverbeds, encampments, and city streets.
They provide immediate medical care, including checking for dehydration, managing heat-related illnesses, and keeping medications current; also basic essentials like water, cooling packs, hygiene items, and clothing. This work is about meeting urgent needs in real time, while building trust and relationships.
Long-Term Health
Street Medicine offers more than a one-time visit. Many of our patients are living with chronic conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, and mental health challenges. Our providers and team bring the same quality of care to the streets that we offer in our clinics, helping people manage these conditions with dignity and consistency.
Our case managers also play a vital role. They help connect individuals with specialty care, provide follow-up, and support patients in finding stable housing. For many, this is the first step toward lasting health and stability.
Watch Eloina Mack, Healthcare for the Homeless Supervisor, share how case managers connect patients with housing, specialty care, and other critical services.
A Community Effort
The Street Medicine program is made possible by collaboration. We partner with local organizations, such as Kern Medical Supply, Independent Living Center, Housing Authority, and CAPK, and rely on the generosity of our community. Donations of hygiene supplies and basic necessities go directly into the hands of those who need them most.
Dr. Beare shared that the ultimate goal is clear: getting people off the streets and into housing is the single most important way to improve health and save lives.
You Can Help
💙 You Can Help: Support our Street Medicine team with donations of bottled water, sunscreen, hygiene items, or clothing:
KERN COUNTY
301 Brundage Lane, Bakersfield, CA 93304.
FRESNO COUNTY
302 Fresno St., Ste. 101, Fresno, CA 93706.
If you’d like to learn more or support this work, call (833) 678-2781. Together, we can make a difference; one person, one visit, one act of compassion at a time.
For more information about Healthcare & Support Services for the Homeless at Clinica Sierra Vista, visit our Healthcare & Support Services for the Homeless page.
To learn about Dr. Matthew Beare, M.D., visit his profile page.
