When the Mayor of Boston asked for a dedicated physician catering to the medical needs of the homeless community, Jim O’Connell, M.D. seized the opportunity. As a recent graduate from the Harvard Medical School, fresh from completing his residency at Massachusetts General Hospital, he believed working at a clinic merely six blocks away would be easy. However, as he confronted a myriad of unfamiliar ailments that ravaged the homeless population, including the harrowing AIDS epidemic and multidrug-resistant tuberculosis, he “was quickly overwhelmed.” What followed is a life dedicated to selfless medical service for the marginalized section of American society.

Tracy Kidder, a Pulitzer Prize-winning author, has chronicled O’Connell and his colleagues’ commendable work in his latest book, "Rough Sleepers." Kidder devoted nearly five years following O’Connell and his team, meticulously documenting their work and its impact.

During this session, moderated by AHCJ board member Marlene Harris-Taylor, O’Connell explained that homelessness is not just a medical issue and it reaches far roots of our societal system. He recalled an experience with a man who referred to  himself as “a street drunk” who, with the help of his team, secured housing and attained sobriety. However, the man relapsed after a month, stating that he felt isolated and lacked meaning in life. The revelation reminded O’Connell of the profound nature of homelessness in our society. “I kept asking myself how we cultivate a sense of hope, community, and companionship for those in need,” O’Connell said.

Homeless populations not only confront complex existential issues but also struggle with mundane daily tasks, as Harris-Taylor points out. "It never occurred to me," she admits, "how do you manage to keep track of your prescriptions without a home?" 

These are practical challenges, O’Connell agrees. For example, keeping track of timing can be difficult without clocks, or storing medication like insulin in a refrigerator may not be feasible.

Stories are powerful tools for conveying both the broad and granular challenges that underlie our society, Kidder says. "Stories are an excellent way to organize the chaos of the world," he explains. Rather than focusing on abstract themes, Kidder seeks out personal stories that illuminate real-world experiences. As he notes, "Individual stories can provide a window into larger events."

When asked how to behave when approached by a homeless stranger, O'Connell advocates for demonstrating empathy and engaging in a humane conversation. As he notes, providing money or food is not always necessary; often, all those individuals crave is recognition and a sense of belonging within society. He says, "Homeless individuals want to feel seen and acknowledged."

Bolakhe is a Nepalese freelance science and environment writer based in New York City.