This community paramedic treats patients where they live, even if that’s in a tent

Jamie Breunig’s job as the sole community paramedic in Clackamas County can feel like a brazen act of hope in a world of despair.

All of her patients are homeless and most are living outside. They have diabetes, asthma, missing limbs and drug addictions. Some are paranoid, others are depressed and still others have undiagnosed mental illnesses. Nearly all have survived a past trauma. The need can feel overwhelming.

“I could do this every day, all day, 24/7 and it wouldn’t be enough,” she said from behind the wheel of her county-issued Ford Fusion one cool spring morning.

Since the county health department program launched in October, Breunig has provided direct medical care or medical case management to more than 110 people…

Read the full story at The Oregonian/OregonLive.

Photo by Beth Nakamura.