ABQ StreetConnect is a data-driven model and continuously evaluates how to best meet the needs of the subpopulation of people experiencing homelessness the program serves. Having a medical director and a clinical director helps us directly address the physical and behavioral health needs of our clients.

Lindsay Fox, MPAS, PA-C is the Medical Director with ABQ Street Connect in collaboration with the University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center. This partnership is the first of its kind in Albuquerque to bring healthcare providers out into the streets to reduce emergency room visits and calls for service while guiding the patients towards supportive housing and services. She is a healthcare provider who is passionate about caring for patients and educating future PAs. After several years working in General and Surgical Oncology with Presbyterian Medical Group in Albuquerque, focusing exclusively on breast, thyroid, and colon carcinomas, she was recruited by Project ECHO in 2013. As a medical lead in the study, the focus was whether increased access and intensive primary care could reduce the overall cost burden of the most expensive utilizers of healthcare dollars. The goals of the program were to mitigate patient’s emergency room and urgent care visits, address social issues and improve access to mental health and addiction treatment. In 2015 Lindsay accepted a faculty position with the UNM Physician Assistant Program as the instructor of record for Clinical Skills, Clinical Seminar, and Clinical Reasoning, and then in 2018 became Clinical and Outreach Coordinator. It was in this position that she was able to integrate DATA Waiver Training and experiential shadowing for all UNM PA program graduates. This learning opportunity funded by SAMHSA reinforces the importance of the treatment of substance use disorder in the primary care setting. In 2018 she was part of a team at the program that was awarded a $1.5 million HRSA grant to develop clinical training sites that incorporate elemental aspects of Public Health service projects in the Primary Care clinic setting.

Honor Heindl, LCSW is our ABQ Street Connect clinical director. She is an independently licensed clinical social worker with a background in trauma recovery and crisis intervention and stabilization. She received her Bachelor’s in Reconciliation Studies and Masters in Social Work from Washington University in St. Louis. She moved to Albuquerque after graduation and began her career as a therapist at HopeWorks. Since then, she has worked alongside law enforcement with the Mobile Crisis Team (MCT) responding to behavioral health-related 911 emergencies and in the Presbyterian emergency departments completing behavioral health and safety evaluations as a consult liaison. Her work with first responders, hospitals, and community-based agencies has helped me see just how instrumental interdepartmental collaboration is. Honor is delighted to be a part of the ABQ StreetConnect team and is learning so much from her colleagues. She appreciates that the ABQ StreetConnect team makes every effort to remove barriers for clients to access the services they need and that this team doesn’t give up on anyone.

The medical team zealously approaches new challenges every day. Lindsay is passionate about expanding the scope of practice for mid-level providers to populations such as rural, underserved, or patients marginalized as a result of mental health issues, addictions, and social determinants. Honor is passionate about meeting people where they are at and helping them recognize their innate worth and potential while also protecting and advocating for those most marginalized. ABQ StreetConnect is grateful to have them on the Heading Home team!