Free Mammogram Clinics- October 24, 25, 28- Sponsored by Providence Health System- MoreTexas Hold-em Party - Benefit for Project Access NOW
- Hosted by: Mark Rosenberg, MD, at his residence
- 7:00 p.m., Tuesday, November 8, 2011There's still time to join this opportunity for some FUN-draising. $50 buy in includes poker lessons if needed. Beer, wine, food and FUN are all included. Proceeds benefit Project Access NOW and other non-profit organizations.
Benefit Concert
Performance
by Ilene Safyan
- Sunday, November 13th - 7:00 p.m.
Award winning singer-songwriter, Ilene Safyan, has graciously invited us into her home where she will perform in a special concert just for guests of Project Access NOW.
Join us for wine and dessert at an informal evening of jazz, folk and contemporary music.
All of the proceeds from the $30 ticket price go to benefit Project Access NOW.
SAVE THE DATE:
2012 Bridges to Healthcare
- Portland Hilton & Executive Tower
- 5:30 p.m., Tuesday, March 20, 2012
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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 October:
- De-humidifier
- Auto-feeding scanners (we REALLY need these!)
- 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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We are pleased and honored to announce that Portland Monthly magazine has awarded Project Access NOW the 2011 Light a Fire Award in the "Keeping Us Healthy" category. Each year, these esteemed awards honor outstanding efforts to make the Portland metropolitan area more prosperous, beautiful, healthful, and sustainable. We extend our sincere thanks to Portland Monthly and all of our supporters.
Although it is truly an honor to be recognized for our efforts, we are not going to sit back now and rest on our laurels. We simply cannot.
For years now, we have been asked the question, "What will you do if health care reform is implemented?" We have stated that we will happily go out of business when there are no more uninsured to serve. So, here we are on the cusp of health care transformation in Oregon, yet still not even close to the point of closing our doors due to lack of work.
Here are the facts:
- It will take years to implement reform and the promise of better access in the future rings hollow to those in need of services TODAY.
- Even after reform is completely implemented there will still be uninsured in our community and they will have even fewer resources than they do today, making wise stewardship of resources more important than ever.
- As a community we can create an organized system that meaningfully connects people to the resources available to them.
Our response is to continue to serve people right NOW, and to be a part of creating a health care system that ensures access to healthcare for everyone who lives in our community in the future.
We simply could not do this without you. We need your ongoing support. Here are some ways you can help:
- Tell your friends, family and colleagues about the work of Project Access NOW - have them Like us on Facebook and sign up for our e-newsletter (Follow us on Twitter as a part of ORHealthWire)
- Participate in our Community Connections program - more information is provided in this newsletter.
- Join us for the Texas Hold-em party on November 8th and/or come and hear Ilene Safyen's concert on November 13th
- Talk to your own healthcare providers and, if they are not already, encourage them to become Project Access NOW volunteers.
- SAVE the DATE! March 20th, 2012 will be our Third Annual Bridges to Health Care Dinner, Recognition and Fundraiser (We are looking for event sponsors now - help us secure support!)
Thanks for all that you do to support vulnerable individuals and families in our community and the system that provides them with needed health care.
Sincerely,
Linda Nilsen-SolaresExecutive Director |
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 Luis was having pain in his chest and abdomen, characterized by severe heartburn symptoms that he describes as feeling "like fire". Coughing was extremely painful and, at times, he even found it difficult to breathe. He sought help at Virginia Garcia Memorial Clinic and, after several attempts at treatment, it was evident that Luis needed to see a specialist. Luis had recently lost one of the two jobs he had been working and had no insurance to pay for additional medical care or testing that would be necessary to diagnose his condition. He was having trouble just making ends meet.
So, Luis was referred to Project Access NOW, where care coordinator, Anna Sease, arranged an appointment for him at Gastroenterology Specialists of Oregon.
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Thanking Dr. Shao and NW Cancer Specialists
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 Dr. Spencer Shao became involved with Project Access NOW about three years ago through his practice with Northwest Cancer Specialists. A medical oncologist, Dr. Shao is interested in cancers of the gastrointestinal tract, lungs, head and neck, genitourinary trace and hematologic malignancies.
He believes Project Access NOW is a great idea because it provides access to healthcare for those who would not otherwise have any. Cancer is a particularly daunting and life threatening diagnosis. Many patients have a curable disease if the cancer is caught soon enough. He is glad that he and his partners are able to help patients at a critical time in their lives.
"These patients deserve a chance," he says.
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Health Net's Corporate Social Responbility Program
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 As part of Health Net's Corporate Social Responsibility program, Health Net Healthy Communities, Healthy Net of Oregon donated $22,000 to Project Access NOW to support its care coordination program.
Since March of 2008, more than 6,400 uninsured and low-income people have been connected to primary and specialty care through a network of healthcare providers convened by Project Access NOW in the Portland Metropolitan Area. Nearly 3,000 providers comprise this volunteer network that allows these individuals to get needed care in a way that is dignified and convenient for both the patient and the provider.
The Portland Metropolitan Area is fortunate to have several safety net clinics that serve low-income, uninsured patients. The need for care is greater than the clinics can meet alone and Project Access NOW supports the safety net by connecting to broader resources in a way that is equitable and easy to do. Volunteer healthcare providers agree to accept a specific number of referrals per year into their practice and then are supported by Project Access NOW Care Coordinators.
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Community volunteer spotlight: Ryan Kartheiser
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 Ryan Kartheiser's volunteer spirit and interest in health care surfaced several years ago when, as a student at Grinnell College, he volunteered at a free clinic, helping patients apply for medication assistance. After graduation, Ryan, who is fluent in Chinese, and his girlfriend spent a year teaching English in Nanjing, China. Back in the states, they settled in Portland and Ryan found a job as a research assistant in the neurology department at OHSU.
It was there that Ryan first learned of Project Access NOW. Executive Director Linda Nilsen-Solares had been invited to speak on health issues during one of OHSU's lunch programs. Ryan was impressed and intrigued by what he heard and decided to apply to volunteer with Project Access NOW. Since March of this year, Ryan has consistently dedicated an entire afternoon each week to help out. He has become intimately familiar with the Clara database, initiating new client records, arranging appointments, and various other care coordination activities.
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Introducing Community Connections
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When we started connecting people to healthcare in March of 2008, little did we know that those first four clients would be the start of something so big. We were a small staff sharing a very small space, with a small budget, serving as the facilitator for several county Project Access programs. We started with four clients.
Now we are a regional, collaborative effort enrolling more than 3,000 clients a year.
As we have evolved, we have made many new connections along the way. After all, that is what we do, right? Even the name of our signature annual celebration, Bridges to Healthcare, recognizes the connections we have made.
You can help us make more connections!
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