Partnering for Better Health on L.A. Streets

Cedars-Sinai has teamed up with Healthcare in Action to provide ongoing medical care to patients experiencing homelessness after they are discharged from Cedars-Sinai. The collaboration is aimed at improving stability for homeless patients while simultaneously preventing complications and readmissions.

Healthcare in Action, a member organization of the SCAN Group, delivers medical, behavioral and social services to people in California who are experiencing homelessness through a street-based model of care. Healthcare in Action care professionals follow individual patients after they leave the hospital, helping ensure continued care and support toward long-term health and stability.

The partnership aligns with Cedars-Sinai’s mission to improve community health and address the root causes of homelessness.

“Cedars-Sinai has long been committed to addressing health disparities that affect marginalized people across Los Angeles,” said Jonathan Schreiber, vice president of Community Engagement at Cedars-Sinai. “Healthcare in Action is a trusted partner in delivering high-quality care to the unhoused, and their work reflects our belief that healthcare should go beyond the walls of our hospital, so that after someone leaves, care remains accessible wherever they are.”

Delivering care to unhoused patients is demanding work, but one aspect has become more efficient thanks to streamlined digital access: As part of the collaboration, Healthcare in Action’s medical providers have access to CS-Link, Cedars-Sinai’s secure electronic medical records system powered by Epic software.

Those experiencing homelessness often lack relationships with healthcare providers, which can lead to challenges accessing care, as well as fragmented care. Access to a patient’s medical records helps ensure Healthcare in Action providers have the information they need to continue to follow up with unhoused patients treated at Cedars-Sinai. 

“Providing Healthcare in Action’s care team with access to CS-Link helps ensure continuity of care for unhoused patients,” said Craig Kwiatkowski, PharmD, senior vice president and chief information officer at Cedars-Sinai. “When a street team provider can view care notes, medication lists and follow-up needs, it helps patients avoid gaps in care and supports smoother, more coordinated services.”

Although homelessness in L.A. County has declined for the second consecutive year, the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority reported in its 2025 Greater Los Angeles Homeless Count that more than 72,000 people remain unhoused.

“Healthcare in Action’s work is essential in ensuring our most vulnerable patients aren’t left behind once they leave the hospital,” said Katie Hren, LCSW, MPH, director of the Community Connect Program at Cedars-Sinai. “Our community health workers and navigators address patients’ social needs during their hospital stay and transition home, while Healthcare in Action provides continued care in the community—delivering ongoing care to patients wherever they are. They also help them find stable housing, which is essential for recovery because it allows patients to heal in a safe environment, free of hunger and exposure.”

Sonali Saluja, MD, MPH, medical director, Quality and Population Health at Healthcare in Action, said of the collaboration: “Healthcare in Action is honored to partner with Cedars-Sinai to create a safe, consistent pathway for unhoused patients transitioning from the ER in Los Angeles. Leveraging Epic’s powerful technology, this collaboration ensures we can provide comprehensive and continuous care with the goal of preventing instability and advancing a more humane, equitable model of health for our most vulnerable community members.”

Cedars-Sinai’s work with Healthcare in Action is multifaceted: In addition to its partnership, the medical center also provides grant funding to help Healthcare in Action expand its services and coverage area. Recent funding helped the organization purchase additional vans for its street medicine team.

Bolstered by a robust community benefit strategy, Cedars-Sinai has donated $134 million in grants over the past five years to address health challenges throughout Los Angeles. Approximately 40% of these grants have addressed homelessness and housing insecurity—key drivers of poor health.

“Healthcare in Action is a wonderful partner for Cedars-Sinai, our patients and the entire community,” Schreiber said. “Homelessness is a persistent health challenge for our city. Together, we’re helping people improve their health, recovery and long-term stability.”

Read more on the Cedars-Sinai Blog: Supporting Homeless Patients in the Emergency Room