The Street Medicine Institute has been fortunate enough to have several volunteers make a difference in key projects over the past year. Please reach out to [email protected] if you are interested in volunteering with the Street Medicine Institute!

Hazel Arabelle Javellana, Program Project Volunteer

Hazel Arabelle Javellana is working on her goal of becoming a physician assistant. Growing up in the Philippines, she saw the health disparities evident in the communities. Since she was a child, she has been involved in activities that aid the underserved such as medical missions and educating good health practices. Even after moving to Los Angeles, the value of helping the disadvantaged is still instilled in her. She is currently working as a certified nursing assistant at Kaiser Permanente Medical Center and at the USC hospitals. She volunteers with “In the People’s Corner”, an organization that provides free health services to Los Angeles’ needy. Following graduation, she hopes to bring primary care to the community, especially the underserved. 

John Karns, Program Project Volunteer

John Karns is a medical student at MSUCOM’s DMC Campus. John started working in street medicine in 2021 in Detroit. Before which, John volunteered in various soup kitchens and outreach programs in the Detroit area and has been volunteering since 2016. John was the former President of MSUCOM’s Detroit Street Care and continues to be active on the streets of Detroit with various physicians and fellow medical students.  

Ray Norris, IT Volunteer

Ray’s passion is providing Information Systems development services and support to nonprofit organizations who support the homeless, veterans and the underserved since 2009. Ray has 30+ years of experience leading Information Systems development teams and Information
Technology support teams.
 
Ray has provided database assistance to the Street Medicine Institute on and off throughout 2020-2023. Additionally, Ray has provided IT support and outreach volunteer time to organizations in his local area, including Care Beyond the Boulevard, KC-Heros, Turner House Children's Clinic, and SOS Ride.

Gideon Potgieter, Public Health Intern 

Gideon Potgieter is an undergraduate public health student at Johns Hopkins. Gideon joined the Street Medicine Institute in February of 2023, and is working on reviewing and compiling street medicine literature. He is passionate about addressing health disparities through research and supporting health programs that aid the underserved.