Lillian Nguyen

Lillian Nguyen is a PGY-1 community-based pharmacy resident with Western University of Health Sciences/986 Pharmacy in Pomona, CA.

“Homelessness is an ongoing issue worldwide where people experiencing homelessness are generally associated with a higher risk of poor health outcomes due to limited access to resources. While many community outreach providers support patients in obtaining healthcare services, barriers to effective care persist due to lack of provider training in addressing social determinants of health (SDOH). Community health workers (CHWs) are trusted advocates who connect underserved populations with essential health services. With proper training, integrating CHWs into a pharmacy team can significantly improve healthcare outcomes by addressing various SDOH barriers.

The motivation behind this project stems from the critical role that SDOH plays in an individual's overall health quality and the gap in healthcare access for people experiencing homelessness (PEH). Studies show that many individuals are either insured but are unaware of how to use their coverage, or they are uninsured due to challenges in navigating the system. The aim of this project is to assess the impact of a CHW in addressing healthcare access barriers in PEH and to explore opportunities to expand training to other programs to further enhance patient outcomes.

I’m most excited about the opportunity to create a meaningful impact in addressing healthcare access barriers for people experiencing homelessness. I’m incredibly grateful for the Incentive Grant, as it will provide patients with a critical resource to improve their overall well-being. If the project proves effective, it could also serve as a model for other community outreach programs, expanding its benefits to a larger population of underserved patients."