“Dr. Bennett is very kind and attentive, and everyone… was very hospitable and caring.”

Selena has called Marin County home for 25 years and lives there with her son, her greatest source of support. As a babysitter and an artist, Selena’s days are filled with caring for others and creating art. Through life’s challenges, she’s always found ways to persevere and has refused to let obstacles hold her back - not even medical challenges.

For five years, Selena silently endured urinary stress incontinence, a condition that impacted her daily life in big and small ways. Coughing, sneezing, or even laughing often led to leakage, leaving her feeling embarrassed and self-conscious, especially while at work or away from home. Though she had tried medication in the past, it didn’t resolve the issue.

Uninsured, Selena knew she couldn’t afford the cost of the care she needed to address her condition. Determined to regain control, she turned to her primary care provider at Marin Community Clinics for help. They scheduled her with an appointment with Dr. Patrick Bennett, a urologist at MarinHealth Urology, a volunteer at Marin Community Clinics, and a volunteer with our program. Dr. Bennett referred Selena to us and she qualified.

Soon after Dr. Bennett performed a sling surgery, a procedure designed to provide support to her bladder and resolve the stress incontinence. The surgery was a success and follow-up appointments ensured she healed properly. Today, Selena no longer worries about leakage when she laughs, coughs, or sneezes. She describes the relief as a return to normalcy—a freedom she hadn’t felt in years.

Selena is grateful for the care she received, “Dr. Bennett is very kind and attentive, and everyone from the receptionists to the nurses was very hospitable and caring.” She appreciates Dr. Bennett’s willingness to answer all her questions, adding that the care she received made her feel better and more confident.

Thanks to the generosity of Dr. Bennett and his team, Selena is ready to fully embrace her life and art again.

Story and photo shared with patient’s permission. Patient’s name has been changed.