My Nonprofit Reviews

After celebrating its 25th anniversary last year, Operation Access is approaching $190 million in services provided without charge to low income, uninsured patients. More than 18,000 procedures have been performed by more than 1,000 dedicated clinical volunteers supported by their health systems, hospitals and ambulatory surgery centers. Funded entirely by donations from organizations and individuals, the organization has dramatically improved the quality of life for hard working people referred by community clinics in all nine Bay Area counties.

For over 25 years, Operation Access has provided essential outpatient diagnostic and surgical procedures without charge to low income, uninsured patients in all nine Bay Area counties. Dedicated clinical volunteers and participating facilities have donated services representing over $150 million of care to more than 16,000 patients. With the financial support of health systems and hospitals and with patient referrals from community clinics, Operation Access continues to improve the quality of life for people whose conditions would otherwise deteriorate and require emergency treatment.

I have had the privilege of being associated with Operation Access since 1993. Beginning with one hospital in San Francisco, dedicated clinical volunteers and their supporting institutions have now been responsible for providing, without charge, more than 16,000 diagnostic and therapeutic procedures valued at over $150 million to low income, uninsured patients in nine Bay Area counties. Compassionate staff members work seamlessly with community clinics to ensure timely referrals, and all of our work is made possible by organizational and individual contributions.

As a current Western Region Council member and former Board member of MedShare, I still feel so privileged to be part of this extraordinary organization. The passion of staff and volunteers for MedShare's mission and work in both the U.S. and around the world is limitless. Everyone takes such pride in helping those in need at local safety net clinics, at hospitals and clinics in developing countries, and particularly in times of crisis, including the devastating earthquake in Haiti, the horrendous typhoons in the Philippines or the continuing Ebola crisis in West Africa. All of these efforts depend on financial donations and the thousands of volunteers who help sort surplus medical supplies and equipment which would otherwise go into landfill. MedShare definitely deserves all the accolades it receives and more!