Member Spotlight: Dade County Street Response

Compassion on the Streets: How Dade County Street Response is Redefining Healthcare in Miami

What happens when someone in our community needs medical care but has no ID, no insurance, and no roof over their head?

For many in Miami-Dade County, traditional healthcare systems are simply out of reach. That’s where Dade County Street Response (DCSR) steps in—literally meeting people where they are with backpacks of medical supplies, a dedicated team of professionals and volunteers, and an unwavering belief that everyone deserves dignity and care.

More Than a Clinic—A Movement

Founded by Dr. Armen Henderson, DCSR goes beyond the four walls of a medical clinic. They deliver medical care, case management, mental health support, and disaster relief services directly to Miami’s most vulnerable residents, especially those experiencing chronic homelessness. With programs like Miami Street Medicine and Doctors Within Borders Urgent Care, they’ve built a network of care that stretches from sidewalks and shelters to a custom-built clinic made from shipping containers.

And their reach is growing. From just 62 patients a month in 2021 to nearly 200 per month today, DCSR is becoming a trusted and reliable part of Miami’s safety net.

Human Care with Measurable Impact

Since 2022, DCSR has cared for nearly 1,300 individuals across nearly 4,000 encounters—at a cost of just $234 per patient per year. But the impact goes far beyond the numbers:

• 82% of patients now have childhood vaccinations.

• 818 pairs of socks and countless essentials have been distributed.

• Over $2 million in estimated savings by preventing avoidable ER visits.

Even more powerful? Helping someone get a "Jackson Card"—a critical healthcare ID—can be the key that opens doors to chemotherapy, surgery, rehabilitation, and housing.

Care Beyond the Clinic

DCSR addresses the social determinants of health—the things outside a doctor’s office that affect a person’s well-being. They help people secure IDs, pay co-pays, provide transportation and new shoes, and offer therapy and mental health support through their Long-Acting Injectable Clinic and wellness courses.

Their work is grounded in trauma-informed care and powered by students, volunteers, and professionals who lead with compassion, not judgment.

A Vision for the Future

DCSR’s plans are bold and community-centered: a medical respite and disaster-ready field hospital in Opa-Locka, an expanded research institute focused on marginalized populations, and even more street-based services led by students and survivors-turned-advocates.

As Dr. Dan Bergholz, a founding member, puts it: “You can’t medicate someone’s way out of homelessness. The real prescription is food, water, community, and housing.”

DCSR is proof that healthcare doesn’t have to happen in a hospital to be effective, life-saving, and revolutionary. It just has to show up—with empathy, consistency, and a deep commitment to justice.

Learn more or support their mission at www.miamistreetmedicine.org.