Community volunteer highlight: Vicki Cameron
When Vicki Cameron retired in 2008 from Legacy Emanuel Medical Center following a 40-year career as a registered nurse, she “still wanted to do something.” Her friend Kathi Misner, told Vicki about Project Access NOW, which was just starting up at the time.
“It sounded interesting because it was healthcare but not as physically demanding as nursing,” Vicki said.
Vicki first worked with our Pharmacy Bridge program, helping patients get much-needed medications.
“I liked the medical assistance program,” Vicki said. “It was amazing to see how many steps there were for patients to get free medications.”
Later Vicki joined the Bridges to Healthcare event-planning team. Both last year’s inaugural and this year’s upcoming Bridges to Healthcare event bear Vicki’s stamp. She said, “It’s always fun to work on events and bring people together. You get to know other people who are involved. I look forward to the next Bridges to Healthcare on April 7th!”
When not working on Bridges to Healthcare, Vicki helps with patient medical reviews. “It’s right up my alley. I can use my knowledge and help people.”
In her work, Vicki’s continuously “struck by the patients’ stories. These are people like you and I, people who for some reason lost insurance and need health care and are now struggling. I don’t see the need for Project Access NOW going away in the near future, no matter what happens with healthcare reform.”
Vicki finds volunteering fulfilling and would like to continue doing it. “I always feel like I have done some good when I leave [the Project Access NOW office]. Everyone is so helpful and committed to what they do, you just can’t help but be involved.”
In fact, Vicki supports us even when she isn’t on the job. Through her other volunteer position with Schoolhouse Supplies, a Portland nonprofit which accepts donations for teachers and non profits to use in their classrooms and offices, Vicki’s been able to get free office supplies for us. She said, “It has been very gratifying to know that these free office supplies mean more funds are available to help the patients of Project Access NOW.”
(March 2011)
