Mission

DWW-SBSM is dedicated to providing free, volunteer medical care for the most vulnerable of Santa Barbara County, when and where they are in need, including in times of disaster, and to provide education and training for DWW-SBSM volunteers and others, in order to promote the excellent practice of humanitarian medicine in our hometown and elsewhere.

Guiding Principles

DWW-SBSM is a non-governmental organization (NGO), and adheres to the 3 guiding principles which are central to all successful NGOs:

  1. Advocacy
  2. Collaboration
  3. Sustainability

DWW-SBSM defines street medicine as the provision of free, volunteer care for the most vulnerable when and where they are in need. Street medicine overcomes barriers to care by providing medicine in austere environments such as in the field, on the street, in mobile vans, in shelters, and during times of disaster. Disaster medicine is street medicine in acute settings.

DWW-SBSM’s mission is based on the vision that:

  • Street Medicine is a valuable medical specialty that benefits the entire community.
  • The practice of street medicine for the most vulnerable is ideal preparation for
    the practice of disaster medicine for all people.
  • The practice of street medicine saves valuable community resources by diverting care
    for the most vulnerable from acute care settings such as hospitals, to primary care settings.
  • The provision of free, volunteer medical care is a humanitarian effort that benefits society.
  • Volunteer, free medical care is what makes DWW-SBSM unique.