Doctor Practicing 'Street Medicine' Named Top Hero Of 2015

October 13, 2015

Two to three nights a week, Dr. Jim Withers rubbed dirt in his hair and muddied up his clothes before walking the streets of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, searching for the very people he was trying to emulate.

Credit: CNN

For 23 years, Withers has been searching for the homeless - under bridges, in alleys and along riverbanks - to bring them free, quality medical care.

He calls it "street medicine."

"I was actually really shocked how ill people were on the street. It was like going to a third-world country," Withers said. "Young, old, people with mental illness, runaway kids, women (who) fled domestic violence, veterans. And they all have their own story."

What started as a one-man mission has blossomed into a citywide program called Operation Safety Net. The organization provides a mobile medical van, walk-in clinics, a computerized database of homeless patients, and the ability to track and assist patients with health care and recovery.

In addition, Withers started a non profit called the Street Medicine Institute, which supports communities in starting their own medical outreach programs for the homeless.

You can vote for Dr. Withers as your choice to be Hero of the Year at CNNHeroes.com.