Mission Hospital joins with non-profit Access OC to extend healing to underinsured patients in need of surgery.
October 6, 2016, Mission Viejo, CA – Mission Hospital will host the Saturday, October 8 event during which doctors will perform procedures on nine Orange County residents – free of charge – underscoring Mission Hospital’s dedication to continually improve the health and quality of life of people in the communities it serves, through providing access to advanced diagnostic and preventive care for all in the community.
Mission Hospital will donate their services and staff, who offered to work an additional day.
“This will be the fifth Access OC event that Mission Hospital has participated in during the last three years,” said Christy Cornwall, director community benefit. AccessOC is a medical non-profit organization in Orange County that connects the medically uninsured/underinsured who are in need of surgery with volunteer specialists.
While the Affordable Care Act has successfully resulted in more residents having access to health care coverage in Orange County, there are still a large number of individuals and families who are unable to afford deductibles for any type of specialty care. For many patients, a simple procedure can prevent the need for emergency care later on. This kind of preventative care is a core part of Mission Hospital’s mission of helping to create healthier communities.
Surgeries taking place during Saturday’s event will include hernia repairs, cyst removals and a cholecystectomy. Many of these patients have suffered with conditions for many years with no hope for improvement, and concern that their conditions will worsen. One such patient is Ana Maria who for the past three years has had a ganglion cyst on her left wrist that has made lifting heavy objects like bags, her purse, and her niece difficult. While working at a hotel as a housekeeper, she has pain while doing her daily tasks such as making beds, vacuuming, and mopping. AccessOC recognized her struggles, and the need for surgery, and brought her to the attention of Mission Hospital as a candidate for Surgery Saturday. Dr. Herbert Eidt, MD, orthopedic surgeon, will perform her ganglion cyst excision in hopes of alleviating three years of Ana Maria’s suffering. “Heaven has a special place for everyone here at Mission Hospital helping me to get my surgery. Thank you,” declared Ana Maria.
