Healthcare through street medicine | Melissa Dittberner | TEDxSioux Falls
Seeing the Unseen explores the power of human connection in street medicine, where healing begins with trust, compassion, and meeting people where they are. Through firsthand stories, this piece highlights the harsh realities faced by the unhoused, from untreated infections to survival-driven substance use. It challenges misconceptions, shedding light on systemic barriers that keep people trapped in cycles of poverty, addiction, and trauma. From a man seeking a prosthetic leg to a woman using substances out of fear for her safety, these stories reveal the stark realities of life on the streets—and the profound impact of showing up, listening, and providing care where it is needed most. Street medicine isn’t just about medical care—it’s about dignity, advocacy, and providing basic necessities often overlooked. Focusing on real experiences, this work calls for a redefinition of healthcare, urging society to see and acknowledge those who are too often invisible.
Dr. Mo, (Melissa Dittberner), PhD, CPS, PS, LMT, is an award-winning lecturer in the Addiction Counseling and Prevention department at the University of South Dakota. Melissa has a Ph.D. in Counseling and Psychology in Education, a master’s in Addiction Studies, and a bachelor’s in Health Sciences. Dr. Mo is an advocacy speaker, prevention specialist, and peer specialist. She is the CEO of Straight Up Care, a telehealth platform for peer specialists. Dr. Mo is the Executive Director of Midwest Street Medicine. She is a co-author of The Alcohol Reset. She conducts research in the areas of college students’ substance use, pedagogy, addiction, trauma, body brokering, tattoos as healing, and harm reduction. Dr. Mo is a person in long-term recovery, and her mission is to empower individuals to learn and navigate their paths to recovery and well-being. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
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