Sijan Basnet, MD, is a cardiology fellow at Reading Hospital who is helping to expand care beyond hospital walls through Tower Health Medical Group’s (THMG) Street Medicine program.
Street Medicine delivers care directly to the unsheltered homeless, shelter residents, and anyone who is at high risk of experiencing homelessness.
“As a cardiology fellow, I see daily how profoundly social circumstances affect cardiovascular health,” said Dr. Basnet. “Many individuals experiencing homelessness have significant cardiac disease but face major barriers to accessing care.”
Over the past year, the fellow helped launch a dedicated cardiology clinic within the program, bringing specialized care directly into community settings.
“This work allows us to care for patients who are often overlooked and to address cardiovascular health through trust, continuity, and human connection,” he said.
Motivated by a commitment to serve those most in need, Dr. Basnet sees this work as central to his purpose in medicine. “Cardiovascular disease is associated with chronic stress, trauma, and insecurity,” he said. “Street Medicine allows us to care for the whole person."
Street Medicine continues to highlight both the strengths and challenges within the communities it serves. “Our patients are resilient, engaged, and want to improve their health,” Dr. Basnet noted. “Small moments, like a patient remembering a prior conversation or taking a new medication because they feel heard, are incredibly powerful.”
Looking ahead, Dr. Basnet plans to pursue a career in cardiology and vascular medicine while remaining actively involved in community-based care, education, and advocacy.