Bringing Healthcare to the Streets: Midwest Street Medicine

In the heart of South Dakota, a bold vision is turning sidewalks into exam rooms and compassion into healing. Midwest Street Medicine, founded in June 2023 by Drs. Shannon Emry and Melissa Dittberner, are redefining what it means to deliver healthcare. Based in Sioux Falls, Midwest Street Medicine is meeting individuals where they are, figuratively and literally.

Midwest Street Medicine was the recipient of a Beyond Idea Grant from South Dakota Community Foundation (SDCF) in 2024, helping them to expand their reach. Dr. Emry shared this inspiring nonprofit's origin story and mission with SDCF Senior Program Officer, Ginger Niemann. 

With a deep background in healthcare and a heart attuned to those often overlooked by traditional systems, Dr. Emry saw a need and stepped in to meet it. “I had been aware of street medicine in other states,” Dr. Emry recalled. “It was something that stuck with me. I knew that people in our community were falling through the cracks.”

Midwest Street Medicine is now a dynamic, multidisciplinary team that includes medical professionals, peer support specialists and community health workers. They walk city streets, alleyways and encampments to bring trauma-informed, evidence-based care to Sioux Falls’ unsheltered population.

Dr. Emry emphasized the importance of relationship-building: “The medicine comes after the trust. For many of our patients, just having someone show up, remember their name and treat them with dignity is the first step.”

From treating wound infections to connecting patients to substance use recovery services or mental health support, every visit is anchored in compassion. And when individuals are ready to re-engage with the healthcare system, Midwest Street Medicine is there, accompanying them to appointments, advocating on their behalf and celebrating their steps forward.

The work is not done alone. Dr. Emry was quick to acknowledge the many organizations, providers and donors who have joined in this mission. “It’s about community,” she said. “The needs are complex, but when we work together, we can remove barriers.”

The team also focuses on reducing stigma around mental health and addiction, two key factors often intertwined with chronic homelessness. “It’s not just about survival,” Dr. Emry said. “It’s about helping people see that they’re worthy of health and a future.”

Thanks to support from partners like SDCF, Midwest Street Medicine has been able to grow quickly, equipping its team and expanding services. The impact is already clear: individuals who previously felt invisible are now receiving consistent, compassionate care that meets both their physical and emotional needs. Dr. Emry emphasized the difference this grant is making in their work and encouraged others to apply for the Big Idea Grant.

“If you have an idea that is rooted in community and fueled by compassion, don’t hesitate to apply. South Dakota Community Foundation has a thoughtful process, and they truly want to see communities thrive, so go for it, take the leap, and apply.”

Looking ahead, Dr. Emry hopes to deepen partnerships, expand outreach and inspire others to rethink how healthcare is delivered.

“We don’t have to wait for someone to show up in an ER to care,” she said. “We can go to them. That’s what street medicine is all about.”