Q&A with Tyler Rives Gray, MD 

After six years with the agency, Dr. Tyler Gray recently transitioned from his role as Director of Medicine in West Baltimore to Senior Medical Director of Community Sites. A graduate of Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, Tyler has been providing family-centered clinical care for nearly a decade. Tyler's easygoing nature has helped him navigate the changes and challenges of the last year — from our West Baltimore clinic move to the current EHR migration — all while managing care across community sites. Among his many hats, Tyler serves as an adjunct instructor in the University of Maryland Family Medicine Residency Program. Learn more about Tyler and his new role. 

What brought you to work at the agency?

I was motivated by the agency's committment to providing comprehensive care for underserved communities in the Baltimore area. As a doctor, I'm well aware of the limitations of medical care for people experiencing systemic barriers to stable housing. Unfortunately, Health Care for the Homeless is unique as this level of wraparound service is not available at most medical clinics in the area. 

Before your Health Care for the Homeless days, you worked in the Dominican Republic. Can you say more about the experience, and how it informed your career trajectory? 

I led a team that went into small villages nestled within sugar cane plantations to provide HIV testing and education. This experience helped me realize I wanted to be a direct care provider. I was able to see first-hand how useless new medical advances are in the face of poverty and lack of access to care. I realized that, rather than researching diseases, I wanted to spend my career working to bring quality medical care to those with limited access. 

As part of your promotion to Senior Director this year, you now manage not only the West Baltimore Clinic, but also the Baltimore County Clinic, Convalescent Care Program and the mobile clinic. How do you balance the unique demands of each site? What does that look like day-to-day for you? 

It's busy and I double check my calendar every morning to ensure I am going to the right place! I split my time between those four sites, doing both administrative and clinical work. I am grateful to work with wonderful team members at each site and my dedicated colleagues in Practice Operations do a great job keeping our clinics going. LaVeda Bacetti and I share a lot of the same clinics and we collaborate regularly. La Keesha runs the show at Baltimore County and John Lane keeps our mobile van rolling. I rely on the feedback of my team members to know what areas and services need improvement. I am also involved in providing medical care at each site, which helps keep me aware of the unique needs and challenges of each team and of the clients at each site. 

Tell us about the importance of community engagement to your work.

Maintaining and strengthening community partnerships is vital. We rely on community partners to spread the word about our clinics and to understand the needs in each community. We have worked with Eddie Martin, Jr. and his equity and engagement team over the years to be more strategic, and we will be working with them on another community needs assessment in the wake of COVID-19 soon. 

I don't have as much time for engagement work myself as I'd like, but each of our clinic locations collaborate with local partners to deliver the best possible care. Paul's Place has been a longstanding partner in Southwest Baltimore. We join them on outreach efforts in the community and take referrals from their on-site nursing clinic. We also refer clients for meals and their clothing market. 

We also actively partner with the Baltimore County Department of Health and Community Assistance Network, who oversee and operate shelters in the county. Our Baltimore County Clinic is co-located with a woman and family shelter and a small men's shelter, and our West Baltimore location supports the Westside Men's Shelter. Our mobile van visits the shelter on a monthly basis to bring medical care to residents of the shelter. 

How are the complex realities of COVID affecting care at community sites?   

Unfortunately, we had to close our community sites for about six months last year to consolidate staff and keep the doors open at our Fallsway clinic. We moved the Convalescent Care Program out of the Weinberg Housing and Resource Center and navigated multiple hotel moves. And we shifted almost entirely to supporting clients with telehealth. This was very challenging for clients, especially those with limited English or who don't have reliable phone access. 

Thankfully, at this point we are close to normal operations, albeit with a slightly reduced presence. I am proud of the work we've done to ensure our care is available in multiple locations around the area, but there is still more work to do for us to truly connect and serve the most vulnerable clients. 

How does racial equity and inclusion influence your approach to the role? 

I try to always be aware of my immense privilege as a white male doctor. I want to use that power to elevate the voices and perspectives of staff and clients who don't have that same level of privilege. The highlight of my time at Health Care for the Homeless thus far was at Lobby Day in Annapolis a few years ago. I helped a client who recently had been sleeping in a tent to meet with a legislator who was against safe consumption spaces. This client was able to speak directly to his representative about the value that safe consumption spaces would have had for him and his peers.

I have been trying to reflect on the power I have in my position at the agency and how, as a white, male physician, I need to step out of the way sometimes to allow others to step up and speak and allow others to lead. This example at lobby day was one of the most memorable times I was successful in stepping out of the way. I am fortunate to spend every day working alongside a wonderfully diverse team with varied life experiences and areas of expertise, all working together to improve the health of those who are currently experiencing homelessness. No one has the solutions to solve this alone. 

What are some hobbies and activities that bring you joy? 

I enjoy spending time with my friends and family, and I try to get outside whenever possible. I also started rock climbing regularly last year. 

Lastly, we hear you set some records for speed at a few Rock Your Socks 5Ks. What's your secret? 

I was an 800-meter runner in college and have competed in road and trail races as long as 60 kilometers since that time. I ran in the Rock Your Socks 5K a couple times and hope to participate again this year. It's a great event that brings together staff and clients to walk and run on what is usually a chilly and sunny morning. What could be better!? 

Extend a warm congrats to Tyler when you see him next, or challenge him to a foot race if you're feeling lucky!