In greater Phoenix, homeless youth face unimaginable circumstances: Blistering temperatures, urban sprawl, and limited access to transportation make the Valley a nightmare for kids and teens with nowhere to call home. What’s worse, they experience high rates of illness, depression and injury, and nearly all of them lack insurance and basic access to medical care. Most of these children are truly desperate.
Enter Sarah Beaumont, MD, medical director of Phoenix Children’s Homeless Youth Outreach program. Thanks to her, kids fending for themselves have someone special in their corner. Dr. Beaumont leads the team that provides medical care to Arizona’s most vulnerable children. And she was recently honored as a Health Care Hero by the Phoenix Business Journal.
Health Care Heroes is one of Arizona’s most prestigious and competitive awards programs. Now in its 20th year, it celebrates individuals who are making a big difference in their communities. Dr. Beaumont’s award is especially timely, as November is National Homeless Awareness Month.
When it comes to homeless youth, there is no one more compassionate, sensitive or kind in their approach – or more skilled in the care they provide to the Valley’s most vulnerable youth. Dr. Beaumont is a hero, indeed.
Crews’n Healthmobile: A Doctor’s Office on Wheels
The cornerstone of Phoenix Children’s Homeless Youth Outreach program is the Crews’n Healthmobile: a doctor’s office on wheels serving homeless and at-risk youth, where and when they need it. Under Dr. Beaumont’s leadership, the Crews’n Healthmobile fleet has continued to provide care and expand its reach to the community, developing new partnerships across the Valley. Each van and clinic is equipped with exam rooms, a pharmacy, an intake area, a laboratory and a triage unit.
The Homeless Outreach Program covers more than 30 miles across the Phoenix metro area and treats patients up to 24 years old who are homeless or at-risk of becoming homeless. With vans that travel to shelters, group homes, drop-in centers and schools across the metro area, along with clinics at UMOM New Day Center, Phoenix Dream Center and Children First Leadership Academy, Dr. Beaumont and her team are bringing comprehensive medical and behavioral health services directly to the children who need it most.
A Passion to Serve
While she’s passionate about serving homeless children and teens, Dr. Beaumont’s interest in supporting Arizona’s most vulnerable populations doesn’t stop there: Among other efforts, her advocacy for victims of human trafficking led to her appointment to the Governor’s Task Force for Human Trafficking. With this prestigious membership, Dr. Beaumont provides support, guidance and medical insights that help victims of trafficking, violence, child abuse, sexual assault or homelessness.
She also serves on the Victim Services Subcommittee to provide an additional layer of support and protection to those impacted by human trafficking.
Phoenix Children’s is proud to have her on our team and in awe of her accomplishments.