Harborview ETHICS FORUM | HEALTHCARE AT THE EDGE OF THE SAFETY NET
Wednesday, October 13, 2021 - 12:00
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Speaker:
Dr. Russ Berg completed his PhD, MD, and subsequently an internal medicine residency at the University of Washington. This was capped by serving as the Harborview Ambulatory Chief resident between 2019-2020. Dr. Berg is currently the primary care provider at the Red Lion Hotel which has been a shelter for homeless patients during the pandemic.
From the Seattle Times, 5/23/2021:
“Dr. Russell Berg, a Harborview doctor who once paid weekly visits to the Downtown Emergency Service Center’s main shelter and now treats patients on-site at the Red Lion full time, said he’s seen changes in patients here that are nothing short of transformative.
“Wounds started healing, like, miraculously,” Berg said.
At the hotel, which allows people to stay 24/7, people can elevate their limbs, allowing injuries to heal, wash regularly and obtain the medications Berg prescribes. With on-site laundry service, private bathrooms, medication delivery and an on-site clinic, Berg said he’s watched a number of his patients go back into the workforce. This kind of shelter, he said, became “a great enabler of stability.