​​Sarah Prylinski at UPMC Hamot exemplifies what it means to be a changemaker in reducing healthcare disparities and improving patient outcomes. As the clinical program manager at a community development corporation, she mentors and directs the work of three community health workers, comprising a team focused on addressing the social determinants of health in the community.

Perhaps even more impressive is how Prylinski has served as the driving force behind a groundbreaking street medicine program, leading its development and implementation. The program's purpose is to address an urgent and challenging gap in healthcare access in the community: the needs of individuals experiencing homelessness.

This fall, she helped secure more than $20,000 in grant funding to launch the street medicine program. From conceptualization to execution, she has been the backbone of the initiative. Her leadership and hands-on efforts directly contribute to reducing harm and improving patient care for the most vulnerable populations. As a result, she is hailed as an angel among the unhoused.

Prylinski’s work begins where traditional healthcare often ends: inside shelters and on the streets. She meets patients where they are, providing nursing care in settings that are accessible and familiar to them. Her efforts include helping individuals manage chronic conditions by educating them about their medications, organizing and refilling pillboxes, administering vaccines, and caring for wounds and infections. Her ability to break down barriers to care is further demonstrated by her commitment to scheduling and attending medical appointments with patients, ensuring they receive the follow-up care they need.

Her approach is holistic, innovative, and deeply empathetic. She recognizes that healthcare disparity is rooted in systemic issues and actively works to educate both patients and providers about the challenges faced by those experiencing homelessness. In doing so, her efforts have provided actionable and invaluable insights for the team regarding how to best close those gaps.

The street medicine program not only delivers essential medical services, but also fosters trust and dignity among a population that often faces stigmatization and neglect. As a result, Prylinski has become a lifeline for those who might otherwise resist trusting a medical professional and fall through the cracks of the healthcare system.

Through her pioneering street medicine program and daily outreach efforts, Prylinski has demonstrated that one nurse’s vision and perseverance can drive meaningful change. She seamlessly combines the roles of caregiver, advocate, leader, and educator, making her a unique part of the healthcare landscape.​