Bridging the Gap: How Community Health Worker Selina Pena Connects with Homeless Patients to Provide Vital Health Support

Every day, Selina Pena, a Community Health Worker, walks the streets near Loma Linda University Medical Center, seeking out her patients. Many of them are individuals experiencing homelessness, often visiting the Emergency Department multiple times a week, or even daily.

Selina’s mission is simple: to connect. She offers support for mental health needs, appointment reminders, or just a warm smile. Her aim is to help patients avoid unnecessary Emergency Department visits, which can strain resources and cost hospitals significant money.

Selina understands her patients all too well. She experienced homelessness herself, starting at just 14. By 25, she finally settled down, completed high school, and earned her associate’s degree, making her the first in her family to graduate. This journey fuels her passion for helping others facing similar struggles.

Working with patients can be tough, but Selina finds joy in building relationships. “I absolutely love what I do,” she says. “It’s about connection.”

Loma Linda University Health has expanded its efforts by hiring two more Community Health Workers and a licensed social worker, using a $1.2 million grant. This money helps them partner with patients in need—offering blankets, meals, and direct access to essential services like health insurance, housing, and job training.

Pamela Glaspell, an assistant vice president at LLUH, emphasizes the importance of these connections: “We’re providing little things to help bridge gaps and guide patients toward better self-care.”

Collaboration is key. Selina meets hospital staff to track down her frequent patients. Many now know they can approach her directly for assistance, a testament to established trust.

“Many of my patients have backgrounds like mine—lack of education, poverty, addiction,” she reflects. “I’m proof that change is possible.”

This kind of work is vital. A recent report from the National Health Care for the Homeless Council found that effective outreach can reduce Emergency Department visits by 30%, showing how important community health initiatives are.

In today’s world, with rising healthcare costs and increasing homelessness, the work of Community Health Workers is more critical than ever. They not only help people gain access to care but also provide a sense of hope and connection, proving that sometimes, all it takes is one person who cares to inspire change.



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