I am in Oxford, England as I type this message participating in an intensive week of instruction as a part of the year long "Postgraduate Certificate in the Provision of Health Care to People Experiencing Homelessness" program established by Dr. Angela Jones.

For those not familiar with this fantastic program that Dr. Jones and her colleague (Mr. Mike Seal) have developed, I encourage you to look at the following URL: see - http://cpd.conted.ox.ac.uk/healthsciences/courses/homeless/default.asp.

The reason for my post is actually two fold – firstly, to remind (or inform) everyone of this great opportunity and the tremendous options that can be generated for trans-disciplinary instruction and mentoring in the unique world that is the delivery of healthcare services to homeless and marginalized populations; and secondly, to offer up an idea. An idea that seems to be percolating from my desire to reach out to an international cohort that is working with underserved communities.

Dr. Jim Withers has done a fantastic job mobilizing the street medicine communities of the world together in a forum and collegial environment. Through the development of the International Street Medicine Association and the yearly (now in its fourth edition, see: http://www.streetmedicine.org/) Street Medicine Symposium, Dr. Withers has created an environment for like-minded medical and healthcare professionals to congregate, share ideas and mentor one another.

Okay, now my idea – I wonder if there is an interest in developing (perhaps through the Street Medicine Symposium that Dr. Withers has already established) an “International Society for Providers working with Underserved Communities?” This could be an international forum/professional association for multidisciplinary healthcare/social service professionals to meet and develop best practices, discuss trends and challenges, share frustrations and triumphs and network around ideas and communities.

I envision a broader community than the “Street Medicine” folks – a community that includes those working to bring healthcare and social services directly to the streets and providers working in clinics and care facilities around the globe that focus their services on homeless and marginalized populations (e.g. sex workers, injection drug users, undocumented laborers, etc.). What do people (you – the readers of the Street Medicine forums and the leaders in the field of care delivery to underserved populations) think – is this something that is worth investing in developing? Do you see a need for a more “expanded” association and international conference?

Thank you for your thoughts and ideas.