Dr. Susan Partovi, from left, and resident physicians Dr. Andrew Frerking and Dr. Lisa Altieri walk through skid row as they try to persuade some of the most mentally ill homeless people to seek psychiatric treatment.
(Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times)Dr. Susan Partovi, center, a skid row physician, has been exploring more aggressive ways to legally intervene to offer emergency treatment to homeless people who might otherwise die.
(Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times)
Connie stands next to her tent near the corner of East 5th and San Pedro streets in Los Angeles.
(Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times)Kevin Stewart opens a fire hydrant to retrieve water for drinking and washing near skid row.
(Francine Orr / Los Angeles TImes)Dr. Susan Partovi, left, and resident Dr. Lisa Altieri, center, treat a patient with a finger wound in her skid row clinic.
(Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times)A homeless woman shows off the scars from a stabbing at Homeless Health Care Los Angeles, where Dr. Susan Partovi treats her.
(Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times)