Dr. Jim O'Connell is the creator of a large medical organization called the Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program, which looks after about 11,000 homeless people a year. It now has roughly 400 employees and O’Connell is its president, and also captain of a team which serves the several hundred homeless people who shun the city’s many shelters and, even in Boston’s winters, live outside or in makeshift quarters — in A.T.M. vestibules, doorways, tents on the outskirts of cities. All his clinical work goes into doctoring such patients, Boston’s “rough sleepers,” as he calls them, borrowing a British term from the 19th century. In our cover story this week, the writer Tracy Kidder takes us inside Dr. Jim O’Connell’s long crusade to care for Boston’s homeless. Pictured here, in order of appearance: - Dr. Jim O’Connell examining Stephen, who has lived on the streets for many years. Stephen and his friend James encountered O’Connell on a subway platform as he conducted rounds. -Charmaire, newly homeless for the first time, checking in at a clinic at the Boston Medical Center that is run by the Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program. -At the Program’s foot clinic at St. Francis House. -Rickey having head wounds dressed at the Program’s clinic at Mass General. He has lived in the Boston area his entire life and has known O’Connell for over 30 years. He is an Army veteran and worked as a baker at the Omni Parker House hotel. -Lisa having her blood pressure checked by Dr. Alison May at the Boston Medical Center clinic. Lisa was born and raised in Boston and worked as a cook. Formerly homeless, she is now in housing. -Beds at Pine Street Inn, Boston’s largest homeless shelter. The plexiglass barriers were installed in response to the pandemic. All photographs by @cole_barash.