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Members Respond
The following remarks are indicative of the enthusiastic response from clinicians to David Hilfiker's presentation:
"It changed the way I look at my work. I was impressed that Hilfiker could speak from the heart so genuinely and personally. I was inspired to read his book, Healing the Wounds. As Hilfiker says, both parties come to the therapeutic exchange wounded in some way. Understanding how we are wounded is essential to our cultural competency as clinicians. There is healing to be had on both sides. I was especially moved by his claim that finding solidarity with the poor heals our alienation as beneficiaries of privilege."
- Paul Barry, MSW, Homeless Youth Clinic
Coordinator, 45th Street. Clinic, Seattle, WA
"Dr. Hilfiker is an incredibly strong role model, especially for someone new in the field, like me. He gave me hope that we can help the homeless people we serve. I also appreciated the story about his battle with depression. In the medical community, that is not something one usually admits, because there are negative consequences for doing so - exclusion from medical licensure, hospital privileges or HMO panels. Ironically, depression is one of the most common medical diagnoses, especially among physicians."
- Jennifer Simpson-Manske, MD, Medical Director, The Samaritan: A Healthcare Clinic for the Homeless, Dayton, OH
"Dr. Hilfiker is a non-saint, a wounded healer, a compassionate clinician who is willing to share his personal journey with deep insight and self-honesty rarely found. He is a man who dares to follow his true calling, living his life in truth and love while courageously seeking to do what is right and just."Excerpt from introduction of Hilfike at the annual Network membership meeting.
- Ken Kraybill, MSW, Lead Mental Health Practitioner, HCH Network, Seattle, WA
"The real take-home message for me was perseverance. We all work with challenging, difficult people such as Ralph, who try not to be loved but are really lovable. It's encouraging to know that our efforts can help. We plant only a seed; the tending we do doesn't have immediate impact. There must be an element of blind faith that the seed will eventually grow and blossom - that what we do will make a difference - even if we aren't there to see it."
- Hope Freeman-LeBlanc, ANP-C, RN, CA Athens Nurses' Clinic for the Homeless, Athens, GA
June 1998 Healing Hands | Healing Hands Index Home | Site Map | What's Hot | About the Council | About the Network | Clinical Information | Publications
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National Health Care for the Homeless Council, Inc.
HCH Clinicians' Network
P.O. Box 68019
Nashville, TN 37206-8019
Voice: 615.226.2292 | Fax: 615.226.1656 | Email: council@nhchc.org