Care on the Streets: Dr. Mary Marfisee’s Mission to Improve Women’s Health in Skid Row
Dr. Mary Marfisee is changing the narrative of healthcare for women experiencing homelessness in Los Angeles’ Skid Row. As the family medical services director at Union Rescue Mission, she focuses on delivering critical medical care where it’s most needed, confronting the challenges of accessing health services in a population often overlooked.
Why It Matters
Skid Row serves as not only an epicenter for homelessness but also a stark representation of the systemic healthcare barriers faced by vulnerable populations. With a significant number of women lacking sufficient access to medical care, Marfisee’s efforts highlight the urgent need for tailored health services specifically designed to meet the unique challenges of this demographic.
Key Developments
- Dr. Mary Marfisee conducts street medicine rounds in Skid Row to assess and treat health issues among unhoused individuals.
- A recent report indicated that nearly 43,695 individuals in Los Angeles were homeless, with a concerning percentage of these being women who lack access to preventive healthcare.
- Marfisee is spearheading a new women’s health initiative in collaboration with local clinics to provide essential screenings and treatments on-site at the shelter.
- Union Rescue Mission will soon host a mobile health van to offer complimentary gynecological and cancer screenings, addressing a critical gap in women’s health services.
Full Report
A Personal Touch on the Streets
On a recent sunny day, Dr. Marfisee navigated the bustling streets of Skid Row, adapting to the surrounding noise as she examined a young woman named Hermione. Despite the chaos around them, Marfisee employed a compassionate and deliberate approach, ensuring that her patient felt safe and heard. Hermione, who suffers from asthma, had her health concerns compounded by homelessness, highlighting the often-overlooked link between housing stability and health.
Addressing Women’s Health Needs
Marfisee’s interaction with women like Hermione is not merely a medical consultation but a glimpse into the broader health crisis that disproportionately affects women in the area. Studies have shown that women living in Skid Row frequently confront significant health disparities compared to those in shelters, predominantly due to inadequate access to essential services. A staggering 87% of the women at the Union Rescue Mission are behind on crucial preventative screenings such as Pap smears and mammograms.
Marfisee has seen firsthand the troubling consequences of these gaps. For example, one patient discovered a long-forgotten IUD after years of abdominal pain, affording insight into systemic barriers in women’s healthcare. "We realized we were treating symptoms but not addressing underlying issues," Marfisee noted, recognizing the need for comprehensive care.
Mobile Health Initiative Launching
In December, Marfisee initiated a plan to improve women’s healthcare at the shelter through town halls aimed at raising awareness about screenings and preventative care. A significant component of this initiative is the impending arrival of a mobile health van, designed to make screenings more accessible. Although logistical hurdles have delayed its rollout, Marfisee remains optimistic, aiming for a launch in early 2026.
Context & Previous Events
According to a 2025 report by Los Angeles Homeless Services, as many as 43,695 individuals were homeless in the city, with over 26,000 classified as unsheltered. A 2024 RAND study indicated that women living unsheltered in Skid Row face critical health issues, including lower physical and mental health outcomes compared to their sheltered counterparts, largely due to insufficient healthcare resources.
As she continues her mission, Dr. Marfisee exemplifies the effort to bridge the healthcare gap for women experiencing homelessness, as well as the broader fight for equitable health services in one of the nation’s most challenging landscapes.
