Our history

Recognizing the need for physician house calls, Dr. Benneth Husted (HPI's founder) started her house calls practice out of her dining room in 1992 where she worked solo, seeing patients exclusively in their homes, and taking referrals from social workers and other physicians.

HPI Founder Dr. Benneth Husted with Pearl Long in 1997. Pearl was born in 1897 and lived nearly 100 years.

In 1994 she met Chastine Drischel, who was a caregiver for her homebound and frail husband, a retired physician who was struggling with heart failure. Every time Dr. Husted would come to see Dr. Drischel, Chastine would ask, “Are you making any money yet?” “No” would be her answer, “but I can pay my bills and I love my work. What I don’t get in money I get in appreciation.”

Firmly convinced of the need for in-home primary care services in the Portland metro area, Housecall Providers was incorporated as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in December 1995. The need for services continues to surpass HPI’s growth. No longer operating from a dining room table, HPI now has a full-time and part-time staff of 18 physicians and nurse practitioners, eleven support positions including the management team, and four professional volunteers. Since July 2000, HPI clinicians have made more than 48,000 house calls.

Governing HPI is an active 12-member board of directors, representing healthcare, business, elder law, nonprofit management, resource development, and public relations. More information on our activities, growth and financials can be found in our annual newsletter (PDF document).

Our services
Most homebound patients have multiple chronic diseases and a fundamental need for better management. In-home medical care allows for proactive management of chronic health conditions that would otherwise result in costly emergency care and hospital admissions. Our licensed and board-certified clinicians specialize in geriatrics and management of multiple chronic diseases, including Alzheimer’s, congestive heart failure, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

We recognize that caregivers are a valued member of our treatment team, yet are often unprepared for the duties of care giving. HPI is able to advise and educate them on important issues that should be integrated into the patient’s treatment regimen to assure the best outcomes. In addition to providing medical care, HPI coordinates and advocates for other necessary patient support services, such as medical supplies and equipment.

Our mission
Housecall Providers is a nonprofit medical practice dedicated to delivering, coordinating and advocating for the quality medical care that homebound seniors and persons with disabilities need to experience healthful lives in their own homes.

Our core values

• Aging in place - providing medical care, service coordination, and advocacy that helps patients with chronic diseases maintain their independence.
• Treating the whole person - seeing the patient in context improves recognition of psychosocial and spiritual needs.
• Quality of life - medical management of chronic diseases including appropriate attention to symptom control.
• Preventive medicine - delivering proactive care to avoid costly exacerbations and medical crises.
• Cost effectiveness - reduction of ER visits, hospital days, and nursing home admissions.