Nurse Practitioner Mary Tornabene has been with Heartland Alliance Health (HAH) for 30 years. As one of Chicagoland’s preeminent healthcare providers for the homeless, Mary has treated thousands in the last three decades – giving her a unique understanding of the experiences and needs of our city’s most vulnerable. That level expertise is unique, and her knowledge of infectious disease and the social determinants of health have been quite valuable for shelters all across Chicagoland. It’s even more critical in the time of COVID-19, as Mary helps lead our vaccination efforts for the city’s most vulnerable.
How did you get into this work?
When I got into nursing and healthcare, I knew I wanted to take a public health approach to my work. I feel very lucky to have the life I have, and I always wanted to take that privilege and power and use it for the common good. I really believe in public health and service as a nurse, and this is as public health as it gets.
Why is this work important to the community and those we serve?
Persons experiencing homelessness have a life expectancy that is 15 -20 years less than persons who are housed. Our patients do not live to the age of 70. That is why this is so important, it’s literally about life and death. Housing instability impacts every aspect of a person’s overall health, so our team works every day to tear down the barriers to both healthcare and housing that individuals experiencing homelessness face.
Today, our work is a statement of hope. So many of the people we serve constantly feel they have been left behind, and as healthcare workers we get to show them that they are not forgotten. In fact, during this vaccination campaign, we are able to tell them that their health and protection from the virus is a priority.
Was there a moment where you knew you were in the right job?
I think it’s something that’s reinforced in my work every day. Even right now, as I’m vaccinating these people – the sense of relief people have is so powerful. People don’t even realize the stress they were holding onto throughout this year until they get that vaccine.
And then even more importantly, we’re seeing the whole continuum of care for homeless services shift. Shelters, healthcare providers, social workers, the City – we’re all working together in a way that we’ve never worked before. As a result, we’re seeing people get housed – and there are times where I’ve seen patients that I’ve worked with for decades fundamentally change their lives when a service provider helps them get that set of keys. It’s all so powerful.
What is your favorite part of your job?
My biggest passion is outreach. There are so many that live in shelters that can’t make it to our clinics. Often times we are the first point of contact for these people.
When you’re the first point of contact, you have to go in with a lens of being trauma informed – of meeting a person where they are. You have to accept people for who they are, so you can connect. You know, eye contact and introducing yourself is critical in these moments. These people are often treated as though they are invisible, and it’s up to me to make sure that is removed to them.
How can others get involved in your work?
I think it’s important for people to understand their neighborhood and their neighbors – and to understand the real solutions to homelessness. We WILL continue these services, we have a responsibility to these people – but the best way to increase health outcomes for individuals experiencing homelessness is by providing permanent supportive housing. Housing is healthcare, and this pandemic underscore that belief like nothing else.
