Bridging Health Together

Bridging Health Together (BHT) is a student-led partnership between Tulane University School of Medicine and Bridge House, the largest residential substance abuse halfway house in the state of Louisiana. BHT’s primary goal is to provide quality healthcare services to the Bridge House clients, while offering a unique learning opportunity for student volunteers. In November 1999, a third year Tulane medical student, Benjamin Springgate, examined the quality of healthcare of the clients at Bridge House. Upon investigation, he realized that few residents received regular care for important medical problems due to limited access and limited funds. As a result, BHT was formed and began providing medical services to Bridge House residents in the fall of 1999. BHT has relied upon students to generate new ideas and create new programs to better improve both the quality of care and the student’s educational experience.

Due to this effort BHT, now includes:

• Tuesday Primary Care Clinic
• HIV and Hepatitis C Screening
• Saturday Education Seminars
• Tuberculosis Screening

In this post-Katrina period, BHT is beginning to once again provide services to the clients at Bridge House. Currently, we are operating our primary care clinic and hope to restart the education seminars and TB testing this summer. As New Orleans begins to rebuild and public health services return, we will continue to expand the health care programs we provide to address both the health needs of the clients and educational needs of the students.