Jennifer – CARE in Plain Sight

In her past role as an emergency room nurse in a large, local hospital, Jennifer Ahn often discharged patients who were experiencing homelessness.

She wondered where they would go, what would happen to them, and who would follow up on their care.

When she accepted a role with Ottawa Inner City Health in the Targeted Engagement and Diversion (TED) program in Shepherds of Good Hope’s shelter, Jennifer’s eyes opened to an entirely new sector of the healthcare system.

When paramedics or police arrive outside the shelter, they are often dropping someone off for medical attention. Clients are brought to the program downstairs, a substance use and mental health focused clinic, diverting them from long waits in the city’s already overcrowded emergency rooms.

“We work very closely with our partners at the paramedics and police department,” Jennifer goes on to say. “They help bring us our clients and divert them away from the emergency room so that we’re able to give them care that’s more tailored toward their needs.”

“A lot of times, the clients we work with have had bad experiences with the healthcare system,” says Jennifer. “A lot of my job is to break those barriers and be there when they need me.”

“They are somebody’s son, daughter, somebody’s friend, and, though it may not look like it from the outside, they are recovering and change is happening.”

Jennifer is Care. 

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