Dr. Jim O’Connell Shares Lessons from the Streets

On May 5, St. Sebastian’s School was honored to welcome renowned physician and humanitarian, Dr. Jim O’Connell, as the featured speaker for the Birmingham Lecture Series. The community gathered in Ward Hall to hear about Dr. O’Connell’s work as founder and current president of Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program which has been recognized nationally through numerous awards, publications, documentaries, and books, including the New York Times bestselling Rough Sleepers by Pulitzer Prize-winning author Tracy Kidder.

The morning opened with a prayer led by Fr. Chris Boyle, asking the community to be inspired by Dr. O’Connell’s witness of compassion, service, and care for society’s most vulnerable. He was then introduced by Keith Anderson P’27, who reflected on Dr. O’Connell’s extraordinary career and the impact of witnessing his work on the streets of Boston. Anderson described how individuals experiencing homelessness, often overlooked by passersby, would immediately stand to greet Dr. O’Connell with dignity and respect when he approached them by name.

Dr. O’Connell then shared stories and reflections from more than four decades serving Boston’s homeless population. Speaking candidly and often humorously, he recounted how his path shifted unexpectedly after agreeing to spend “just one year” helping launch Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program in 1985. Forty years later, he continues to lead the organization.

Throughout his remarks, Dr. O’Connell emphasized human dignity, walking alongside others through hardship, and the central role of relationships in care. He spoke about early lessons from nurses at Pine Street Inn, where he was first assigned not to practice medicine, but to soak patients’ feet and listen to their stories. “You do that by serving them, by taking care of them,” he told students. “And it takes time and a lot of consistency and presence.”

Dr. O’Connell urged students to look beyond first impressions and recognize the humanity behind every person. He also challenged them to consider how they will use their talents and future careers in service of others. “You’ve got to get good at whatever it is you’re going to do,” he said in closing. “And then, as you get good, bring that excellence to the lives of the people around you.”

Following the lecture, Head of School Brendan Sullivan reflected on the connection between Dr. O’Connell’s message and the mission of St. Sebastian’s, referencing the image of foot washing and Christ’s example of servant leadership on Holy Thursday. He also thanked Mrs. Karen Birmingham and the Birmingham family for their enduring support of St. Sebastian’s and for the vision she and her late husband, Jack ’59, former Board President, held that every Arrow should write well, which inspired the Freshman Writing Program.

Thank you, Dr. O’Connell, for sharing your powerful insights and for your decades of service to Boston’s homeless community.