It Matters Why We Do This

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 January:

- Wine! We will be having a wall of wine at our event and are looking for donations of wine with a retail value of $20 or more.

- Medium size refrigerator

- Headsets (Avaya compatible)

- Copy paper

If you or someone you know would like to donate these items, call us at 503.413.5541.

Thank you for your support!

Greetings!

I recently re-listened to a TED Talk by Simon Sinek about how great leaders inspire action. One phrase he repeated was essentially it is not what you do but why you do it that matters when engaging people. This has been very thought provoking for me.

It is the beginning of the new year. We are facing tremendous uncertainty on many levels of our society. We don't know what will be happening with health care transformation. We have hopes coupled with fears. It is a challenging time, and a perfect time to remind ourselves WHY we do what we do.

There are many reasons why I get up every morning and face the stimulating challenges that wait for me. However, as I reflect, there are really two fundamental reasons WHY I do what I do:

I believe that everyone deserves to receive health care and live in a community that supports their personal journey to health.
I believe in the power of collective impact - individuals and organizations can work together to make significant change in their communities - we can choose and create positive impact right here and now.

Why do you support Project Access NOW? Please visit us on Facebook and tell us!

Regardless of your reason why, we thank you for your support of our work to connect people to health care. We need your support now more than ever - please plan to join us at McMenamin's Ram's Head on February 21st and save the date for Bridges to Health Care on March 20th. Invite people you know to join us - tell them WHY you support Project Access NOW.

Sincerely,

Linda Nilsen-Solares
Executive Director

Thanking Brenda Abraham, MSN, FNP-C, and Gastroenterology Specialists of Oregon

After moving to the Portland area about five years ago, nurse practitioner Brenda Abraham joined Gastroenterology Specialists of Oregon. When the practice began seeing patients referred by Project Access NOW, she was happy to participate from the very beginning. She and her colleagues see several Project Access NOW patients each week.

After patients undergo a procedure, they meet with Ms. Abraham to discuss the findings and come up with a plan for treatment. This often involves education, medications, and a plan for lifestyle changes.

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Denise's story

Denise suffered a constant, dull burning sensation in her stomach for more than two weeks. She was weak, unable to eat, drink or sleep comfortably. She lost 10 pounds and even felt a tingling in her limbs and face. The symptoms were causing her such anxiety, she was unable to concentrate or do much of anything. Denise finally gave up and went to the emergency room.

She was seen in the emergency room and given a prescription for medication with the instructions to follow up with a gastroenterologist. Unemployed and uninsured, Denise did not go to a doctor and was only able to afford to fill the prescription for about a month. Her symptoms returned and, after she could no longer stand it, she sought help through the Clackamas County Health Department. Nurse Practitioner Elisa Engebretson arranged to refer Denise to Project Access NOW.

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Thank You LifeWise Health Plan of Oregon, Our Newest Stakeholder!

We are thrilled to introduce you all to our most recent Health Care Stakeholder - LifeWise Health Plan of Oregon. Like all of our Stakeholders, LifeWise is financially supporting Project Access NOW because it recognizes the importance of connecting people to health care right now.

LifeWise shares the value of collaboration with Project Access NOW and realizes that we need many sectors, organizations and individuals to work together to address the daunting challenges we face as a community.

"We are pleased to partner with Project Access NOW and join their efforts to improve the overall health of our communities," said Shannon Armani, LifeWise Director of Health Care Delivery Systems.

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Project Access NOW partners with Komen for the Cure

If you missed our Texas Hold-em Tournament fundraiser in November, you missed a great time. The tournament was generously hosted by Dr. Mark Rosenberg, the immediate past chair of our board of directors. Fifty percent of the donated "buy-in" proceeds went to Project Access NOW and we invited the top three players at the end of the night to each select a charitable beneficiary of the remaining "winnings." After all, collaboration is what Project Access NOW is all about.

We were pleasantly surprised when the tournament winner, Nik Kresse, selected Susan G. Komen for the Cure for his share.

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Staff profile: Perla Quiroz

Perla worked in various roles at the Multnomah County Health Department off and on for many years. When her position was eliminated due to a funding shortfall, she became a self-employed interpreter.

Because of her work with the county, she had many clients in need of her services, but Perla felt the pull to be part of a community-focused organization. She answered a help-wanted ad from Project Access NOW. And we're so glad she did.

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Join us at Bridges to Healthcare

Project Access NOW is in strategic partnership with United Way of the Columbia-Willamette.