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Peer-Reviewed Publication
Healthc Q2026;28(4):49-53.January 1, 2026Journal Article

Warmth When It Matters Most: Addressing the Overnight Needs of Homeless Emergency Room Patients.

Melissa McCallum1, Jennifer Bonner2, Leslie Gillies3, Brooke Cowell4, Alim Pardhan5, Andriana Lukich6
1Melissa McCallum, is the chief of business strategy and innovation at Thrive Group; an associate clinical professor at the School of Nursing, McMaster University; and the former Executive Director of Greater Hamilton Health Network, Hamilton, ON. Melissa McCallum is a master's-prepared registered nurse with 19 years of healthcare leadership experience. Guided by her background in emergency nursing, system planning and academic teaching at McMaster University, she is passionate about building an integrated, equitable health system through collaboration.
2Jennifer Bonner, is the executive director and co-founder of The Hub, Hamilton, ON, applying a public health methodology and trauma-informed lens to establish systemic social services that create holistic pathways of healing for vulnerable populations.
3Leslie Gillies, is the chief nursing executive (CNE) and vice president (VP) at Hamilton Health Sciences, and an assistant clinical professor at the School of Nursing, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON. Leslie has served as a nurse, educator, manager, practice chief, director and site administrator before her current VP/CNE role. She is an active member of the Good Shepherd Non-Profit Homes Board and the GERAS Center for Aging Research Board of Directors, Hamilton, ON.
4Brooke Cowell, is the executive vice president, clinical operations, and chief nursing executive at St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton, Hamilton, ON. Brooke holds additional certifications in specialized nursing, indigenous cultural safety, leadership, crisis intervention and LEAN healthcare. She is committed to fostering a culture of staff and patient safety, continuous learning and ethical practice while advancing the mission of unstoppable compassion in healthcare delivery.
5Alim Pardhan, is the chief of emergency medicine at Hamilton Health Sciences, and an associate professor at the Departments of Medicine and Pediatrics, McMaster University. Alim is an emergency/pediatric emergency physician at Hamilton Health Sciences and McMaster Children's Hospital, Hamilton, ON. In addition to his clinical and administrative work, he is also heavily involved in medical education at all levels.
6Andriana Lukich, is the vice president of strategy, data analytics & acute and home care quality at St. Joseph's Health System, Hamilton. ON. Her passion lies in building high-functioning, inclusive and diverse teams that work together to advance the collective mission of transforming our system to be quality-driven and patient-centred.
PubMed DOI

Abstract

Amid a growing housing and homelessness crisis in Hamilton, Ontario, an innovative four-way alliance responded with urgency and compassion to address a critical service gap: the overnight discharge of homeless patients from hospital emergency departments. Spearheaded by the Greater Hamilton Health Network Ontario Health Team, this cross-sector initiative united healthcare, social services, educati…

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