The Street Nursing Institute was founded by Diana M. Cavazos, PhD, MSN, MHSA, RN, a nurse educator and advocate committed to improving healthcare access for individuals experiencing homelessness.

Through years of providing nursing care alongside students and interdisciplinary healthcare teams on the streets of San Antonio, Texas, Dr. Cavazos recognized a critical need: nurses and other healthcare professionals needed greater access to specialized education, practical resources, and standardized approaches to delivering safe, compassionate care outside traditional healthcare settings.

Inspired by these experiences, and guided by the Street Medicine model, she established the Street Nursing Institute as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing street nursing practice through education, advocacy, research, and collaboration.

The Institute was founded on a simple belief: healthcare should not be limited by walls, circumstances, or housing status. By empowering healthcare professionals with the knowledge, skills, and resources to meet individuals where they are, the Street Nursing Institute seeks to bridge healthcare gaps, promote equity, and restore dignity.