Dr. Sandra Wilborn and Northwest Gastroenterology Clinic
Dr. Sandy Wilborn became a Project Access provider the way most physicians have: through word of mouth and a personal relationship. When Project Access NOW started emerging, Dr. Malcolm McAninch, a primary care internist involved in the model’s beginnings, invited Dr. Wilborn to join him.
A gastroenterologist by specialty, Dr. Wilborn saw the birth of Project Access as one of its early adopters. She presented the plan to join to her group of 9 gastroenterologists, all of whom quickly agreed to participate.
Dr. Wilborn was going to retire this year, but decided to take an extra year to work, after which she plans to take an OHSU crash course for specialists wanting to re-enter general medicine. When she does retire, “I want to do volunteer medical work.”
Comparing her past volunteer work with Project Access, she said, “I’ve done some volunteer work here and there and been able to provide some un-reimbursed care for years. I like it that Project Access organizes and structures the care for the uninsured. It’s an easy process. They take care of everything.”
Not knowing what the need would be, her group agreed to see 50 patients a year. They’re now reviewing their experience so far. Dr. Wilborn said, “We’re considering doubling our commitment as a group. A patient a week now for the nine of us really isn’t much. Somebody needs to see the uninsured. Lots of people fall through healthcare system cracks; we want to provide service to everyone.”
Dr. Wilborn went to Project Access NOW’s first anniversary celebration. “When I heard the patient speak at that event,” she said, “it confirmed for me that this is worthwhile.”
(August 2009)
