This has been a tumultuous time, full of challenges. We started 2020 providing services at a record pace. Widespread cancellations followed, however, and many elective procedures were postponed due to the pandemic. Through it all, we’ve seen the best of humanity shine as overworked and exhausted medical professionals worldwide provided care for people suffering from COVID-19. Here at home, our volunteers ramped up once again and continued to support our community by donating care for people in need, including a patient named Angela.

Angela works as a hairstylist in Napa. Her job requires that her hands stay strong and nimble. Several years ago, however, she began experiencing severe pain in her hands, which made her job difficult.

Desperate to find the cause of her pain, Angela visited an ER and was diagnosed with carpal tunnel syndrome. She was told to seek treatment elsewhere because her condition was not considered an emergency. Uninsured, she spent over a year searching without success for affordable care. Feeling depressed and experiencing pain, Angela returned to the ER, where she was advised to visit OLE Health, a community clinic that would offer more affordable options for exams and overall care. OLE Health referred Angela to our program, and we matched her with Dr. James Johnson, who examined her hands and shoulders, confirmed the diagnosis, and performed open carpal tunnel release surgery on both hands.

Angela recounted, “I remember when I first met Dr. Johnson, he was so noble and made me feel cared for. He took me by the hands and told me not to worry; he would help me. He is my angel.”

Recovered and back at work, Angela shared, “I am very grateful that Operation Access helps uninsured people like me. I do not know how it all works exactly, but I am so thankful, especially to Dr. Johnson and his team. They treated me so well.”

Patients like Angela motivate us to continue serving health needs throughout Northern California. We are introducing our model of care coordination in counties beyond our original service area to advance access to specialty care for those in need.

Throughout the year, we worked to serve patients safely, build our capacity, and strengthen our team. We served people from six additional counties beyond our traditional Bay Area region that are part of California’s County Medical Services Program. We anticipate serving patients from many more counties by the end of 2021. We launched a new case-management database that allows us to work remotely and communicate effectively with patients and partners. Aspen Surgery Center and Healdsburg District Hospital also partnered with us and began serving patients.

As community clinic referrals rebound strongly, we are recruiting more specialists and partners to serve a growing demand for care. Gastroenterology is our highest-need specialty, and we are seeking volunteers in all specialties, especially GI, throughout Northern California.

If you or someone you know can help by providing services or connecting us with providers across Northern California, please reach out.