Dr. Martin Gallagher learned about commitment to community service during his residency at West Virginia University Medical School. He made his first medical rounds in the streets and homeless shelters of Morgantown.

Although he now practices in Jeannette, Dr. Gallagher still makes biweekly trips to Morgantown.

The Multidisciplinary Unsheltered Homeless Relief Outreach of Morgantown (MUSHROOM) serves the medical and social needs of homeless clients in Morgantown and the surrounding area. Volunteers under the direction of Dr. David Deci administer medical care to clients where they find them. Some are in homeless shelters, such as Bartlett House. Others are found along rivers and under bridges.

Twice a month, Dr. Gallagher and his colleagues make street rounds, assessing problems; treating acute conditions; coordinating medical, social and psychological referrals; and providing food, clothing and services to hungry, lonely and abandoned clients.

On any given night, up to 25 people will be seen, most of them are men ages 20 to 50. Some are working full time, but cannot afford basic housing.

"It is a tragedy that people must live like this and we have a responsibility to help them," Dr. Gallagher said. "Many have no resources, money or basic transportation. They are simply down and out. People like this are in every city in the United States. It is a hidden part of the culture that is just socially unacceptable."

MUSHROOM partners with several other Morgantown organizations. Clients are introduced to Healthright for free medical services, Bartlett House for shelter, local soup kitchens, mental health services and a variety of other specialties.

-- By Dev Meyers