For Kenneth Critten, it all comes down to seeing a kind face. A patient in the Homewood Home Visits program, Critten is among a group of seniors and others regularly visited by Pitt medical students. The program is run by the Pitt chapter of the Student National Medical Association and Thuy Bui, an MD professor of medicine.

Critten is a patient of Bui’s at UPMC Montefiore (where we spoke to him) and typically has to rise early to catch the bus to get there. Between his appointments, he benefits from house calls at the senior facility Homewood House, where aspiring doctors like third-year Chinemeh Eyiba check in on needs that may otherwise fall through the cracks. The program also partners with the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank to offer groceries to patients in case they have trouble accessing affordable options.

Mr. Critten, what brings you to the clinic?

Kenneth Critten: I have a history of stroke, diabetes and high blood pressure. [I’ve had these] for a long time now, but things are getting better the more I come to see my doctor. Been seeing [Bui] for 12 long years, wouldn’t trade her for her weight in gold. A lot of my friends aren’t here anymore, just because of the simple fact that they didn’t take care of themselves.

What does a typical home visit look like for students?

Chinemeh Eyiba: Usually, we meet at an elementary school in Homewood and pick up food and nonperishables—Costco-sized boxes—and put these in the car and divvy them up. Dr. Bui then gives us a run-down of the patients. Recently, we were seeing how Mr. Critten had been acclimating to home life and if he had been able to keep up on his meds. A doctor can prescribe the medication, but the patient still has to take it. And a big part of that is access.

How are patients during Homewood Home Visits different from what you see in the wards?

CE: People in Homewood, they’re in an in-between spot. Some are on the sicker end of sick but don’t need to be in a hospital. You have to tailor your behavior a bit; sometimes it’s a little weird to go inside someone’s home—it takes some getting used to. Even prior to medical school, my main volunteer job was working with older people, so I think that helped prepare me. Most, if not all, the patients are Black, and I am also a Black individual. I think it provides some familiarity and comfort to see someone that looks like them and they can be themselves around.

One thing I really enjoyed was seeing [Mr. Critten’s] progression. When I first saw him, he could barely walk to the door, and his throat hurt so bad that he couldn’t swallow his pills. Being able to see him go through that, to be able to open the door and fully breathe while he’s talking, has been really good to see.  

Mr. Critten, what are your thoughts about the Homewood Home Visits program as a patient?

KC: There’s lots of elderly people that can’t get to the hospital, so it’s good that sometimes the hospital comes to them. Everyone needs somebody to care for them, one way or another. Even though they don’t know you, it’s good to see a kind face, a good greeting. If it was up to me, it would go on forever.

—Interviews by Vivian Wang, who is a second-year med student and a social medicine fellow. Fellow med student Tonge Enoh provided background information. Interviews were condensed and edited for clarity.

Read more from the Winter 2024 issue.