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Bridges to Healthcare
- Thursday, April 7th
- 5-8 pm
- Hilton Portland Grand Ballroom, 921 SW 6th Ave.
- FREE
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As any organization, in addition to funds we have in-kind needs for items to help us better serve the low-income uninsured. Here's our list for February 2011:
- Auto-feeding scanners (we REALLY need these!)
- Printer/copier - for medium to heavy use
- Headsets (Avaya compatible)
- Copy paper
- Cleaning service
- 4-post server rack or cabinet
If you or someone you know would like to donate these items, call us at 503.413.5541.
Thank you for your support!
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Databases aren't the first thing that comes to mind in watercooler conversations or when compiling compelling newsletter content. Clara, however, has the entire office abuzz!
 As you may know, one of our organizational values is " efficiency in referral and care management in order to do the most good for the greatest number". To that end, we've been working with the local sofware development company Vistalogic to customize the Clara database for us. Because a growing number of safety net clinics have direct access to it, the database will empower them to have better information about patients and increase their efficiency in referring and coordinating care. Initial feedback indicates satisfaction with the new tool. Additional development is in process and we look forward to even more efficiencies within our own efforts and hopefully including other organizations that serve the same population.
As I say often, this is a time of challenge and opportunity for all health-related organizations. The health reform and still-sluggish economy both continue bringing uncertainty and anxiety. In such circumstances, it's important to center ourselves around our core purpose. Since we also " value collaborative action which puts the common good above individual stakeholder benefits", which is not something that happens normally in the highly competitive world of healthcare. Recognizing and celebrating the success we have had with our partners is critical to sustain and expand our efforts. In that spirit we invite you to attend our Second Annual Bridges to Healthcare - From Aspiration to Impact on Thursday, April 7th, for a complimentary dinner, accompanied by a provider recognition ceremony, silent auction, and paddle raise. Emily and Joey Harrington will be our hosts again this year and we welcome David Rabiner as our emcee for the evening. We expect upwards of 600 guests this year and hope that you will be among them! Sincerely, Linda Nilsen-SolaresExecutive Director |
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Join us at Bridges to Healthcare!
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Join us at the 2nd annual Bridges to Healthcare on April 7th! As our valued email subscriber, you will soon receive a separate invitation to register for this free event.
In the meantime, please mark your calendar:
 - What: 2nd Annual Bridges to Healthcare Celebration and Fundraiser
- When: Thursday, April 7th, 2011
- Where: Hilton Portland Grand Ballroom, 921, SW 6th Ave.
- Program: Provider Recognition, silent auction, dinner, paddle raise
- Cost: FREE. Online registration coming to your inbox soon.
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 Jenny C. experienced a year of pain and difficulty walking after she hurt her leg in an accident playing with her kids. She thought it was a minor issue at first, and with no health insurance she continued suffering through it.
"It was hard for me and my family," Jenny said. "I also couldn't do my job as a salsa dancing instructor. I couldn't dance."
When the pain became almost unbearable, Jenny finally went to the Essential Health Clinic. When doctors there saw her leg, they decided Jenny needed surgery.
"It turned out I was walking for a year with only twenty-five percent of my Achilles tendon there," Jenny said. Parts of her foot were severed because of walking around for so long without care.
What happened next "was very fast", according to Jenny. |
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Cover the Uninsured Week is March 6-12
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Every spring communities around the country celebrate Cover the Uninsured Week. For several years, OHSU students have organized events around this occasion and for the last three years, Project Access NOW has been a part of this very important observance. This year, we'll join OHSU in commemorating Cover the Uninsured Week the week of March 6th.
The week will kick off on Sunday March 6th with the annual Health Screening Fair organized by the OHSU students and community supporters. The Fair is a coordination of community outreach efforts by students from all different programs including OHSU medical students, dental students, physician's assistant program students, nursing students, pharmacy students, PSU pre-health students and many community providers, clinics and resources. At last year's event, over 100 volunteer students and professionals helped around 250 uninsured and underinsured Oregonians.
The event will provide resources for physician consultation and first-aid, small health and hygiene kits, eye sight exams and free reading glasses, hearing tests, foot exams, medicine list consultations, dental care, and much more. On-site physicians will also be able to provide a few free medications, such as aspirin, antibiotics, or anti-fungals. Representatives from many community resources will be there to help provide coordination for health care provider follow-up visitations, as well as schedule appointments for services related to addiction and mental health, domestic violence, and resources for homeless youth.
The event will take place from 12pm to 4pm on March 6, 2011, in coordination with the Pot Luck in the Park on SW Stark between SW Park and 9th Avenues.
There will also be a series of activities on OHSU Campus starting on March 7th. A complete listing of these activities will be available on our website in the next few days.
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Partner highlight: Oregon Society of Physician Assistants
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 Oregon Society of Physician Assistants ("OSPA") promotes quality, cost effective, and accessible health care; supports the professional and personal development of physician assistants; and advances the physician assistant profession as well as the physician assistant/medical doctor team approach to health care.
According to current president Barbara Martin, PA-C, OSPA pursues its mission by, among other things, offering two continuing medical education conferences per year; collaborating with medical professional organizations including, but not limited to the Oregon Medical Association, Oregon Primary Care Association, and the Oregon Rural Health Association: and lobbying on behalf of physician assistants in Oregon.
"Currently we're working to streamline the process of physician assistant licensing and supervision in Oregon," Barbara said.
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Community volunteer highlight: Janet Williams
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 Janet Williams became Project Access NOW community volunteer thanks to Lorraine Williams. They both worked at Tuality Healthcare, and they both left at about the same time. When Janet searched for volunteer opportunities in the health care field, she came across Lorraine's name, and a few knocks on the door later, she was on board.
"Project Access NOW didn't have any volunteers the first time I talked to Lorraine about the possibility of volunteering," Janet said. "Several months later the program developed enough to have a place for volunteers. I was right there, ready to go!"
Janet worked with the Pharmacy Bridge program for about a year. "I was struck by how much effort goes into filling a single prescription for a patient, the hoops one has to jump through to get medications for patients." |
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Staff profile: Katie Ulin
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Program Manager Katie Ulin took an international route to Project Access NOW. During a break in her biology studies at Brown University, she volunteered and worked in Guatemala at a community development organization that helped people build permanent stoves in their homes. Because she "really liked international relations and public health", Katie completed her studies at Brown with an international relations major. She also liked Guatemala: after graduation she spent another two years working there. Finally, in late 2007, Katie returned to her Portland roots, in time to see Project Access get off the ground at the Essential Health Clinic.
Katie's charge at the Essential Health Clinic was to set the Project Access program up and running in Washington County, Oregon. She formed relationships with healthcare providers and clinics, established administrative procedures, and helped integrate the program into the regional system.
"I have been lucky to be a part of Project Access since the beginning," Katie said.
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To date:
- Total enrollments: 6,200
- Average monthly enrollment: 250
- Prescriptions filled: 9,579
- Reduction in emergency room visits: 36%
- Volunteer healthcare providers: 2,800 and counting; 99% retention
- Patient satisfaction: 8.9 /10
- Cost per enrollment: $292
- Charges for donated services: More than $30 million
- Return on community investment: For every $1 spent, $16.78 of value facilitated
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