The PASD Corner

Thanks to our generous physician specialist volunteers, Project Access San Diego (PASD) has provided almost $2.5 million in specialty care for the working and other uninsured adults of San Diego County. As we review completed services, we marvel at the volume of successful care, and on many occasions we celebrate unique patient successes. Periodically we plan to share these stories in San Diego Physician as a tribute to the charity and devotion of the entire physician population of San Diego.

Last fall “Maria” presented with the need for a tracheostomy closure. Ten years ago, following stroke-induced difficulty in swallowing, a tracheostomy was performed, which was ready for closure in 2007. She could not obtain medical care for financial reasons so remained unable to speak until last fall when, through her community healthcare clinic, she was presented to PASD. With persistence and dedication by PASD staff, this outpatient operation was performed as our first case at Tri-City Hospital by our volunteers, otolaryngologist Dr. Julie Berry and anesthesiologist Dr. Margaret Burzynski of Anesthesia Service Medical Group. Maria was then able to speak to her family and to return to work for the first time since her stroke.

This is one of the many stories of charity care by our volunteer specialists but should make all physicians proud — it is replicated daily. We present this to share the advantages and successes of PASD. Although many physicians willingly provide charity care, PASD removes the hassle of donating care for our volunteer specialists and their office staff so they may treat a large segment of uninsured adults with increased satisfaction and efficiency.