By donating specialty consultations or surgical procedures, or volunteering to provide electronic consultations to primary care physicians, medical professionals can make a difference in the lives of individuals in their own community who are otherwise unable to access specialty healthcare. Consider donating your time and expertise through PASD so that you can help those in need!

More than 610 specialty care physicians volunteer with Project Access San Diego. PASD makes volunteerism both easy and efficient, providing care management to assure that patients are fully prepared for a specialty care visit, saving practice staff time and resources.

Why Become Involved with SDCMSF?

We are a professional, physician-founded and directed organization dedicated to measurable outcomes. Our professional staff will track your contributions and offer assistance to ensure a smooth, rewarding experience.

What Are the Outcomes You Can Affect?

  • Improve the health status of safety-net patients by providing timely access to free specialty healthcare services.
  • Save patients’ lives through program early intervention, diagnosis and treatment, and Surgery Days.
  • Prevention of identified conditions and diseases through patient education.
  • Better prepare the next generation of physicians through scholarships and participation in the legislative process.

Your Help is Needed

Our PASD volunteers provide care in wide range of specialties to meet the needs of our patients. We strive to have specialty care appointments scheduled within three months, and have a need for volunteers of virtually all specialties. We currently provide care for the specialties listed below:

  • Allergy & Immunology
  • Anesthesiology
  • Cardiology
  • Dermatology
  • Ear, Nose & Throat
  • Endocrinology
  • Gastrointestinal
  • General Surgery
  • Gynecology
  • Head & Neck Surgery
  • Hematology
  • Imaging
  • Internal Medicine
  • Nephrology
  • Neurology and Neurosurgery
  • Obstetrics & Gynocology
  • Ocular Plastic Surgery
  • Ophthalmology
  • Oncology
  • Oral Surgery
  • Orthopaedic Surgery
  • Pain Management
  • Plastic Surgery
  • Psychiatry
  • Pulmonology
  • Radiology
  • Rheumatology
  • Sleep Medicine
  • Urology
  • Vascular Surgery

How much paperwork is involved?

Our goal is to minimize any paperwork and make volunteering easy and rewarding for you and your office staff. Physicians complete a short, one-page volunteer form letting us know how you would like to participate. When a patient referral is made to you, you will receive all the necessary medical records. After your consult, your office staff faxes prescriptions and hospital and ancillary service request forms to Project Access so our case managers may proceed with the patient’s care. We will make sure these services are performed, and results are sent to you for follow-up if needed.

Tell me about volunteering for eConsultSD

eConsultSD allows specialty care physicians to provide HIPAA-compliant confidential patient consultations to primary care physicians seeking to care for their patients prior to the identification of a need for a specialist office visit. Consultations can be handled at night or during any free time through this web based technology. The PCP can attach notes, labs, radiology and other information helpful to assist in the diagnosis and care of the patient. See the flyer for more information.

Do I need special malpractice insurance to participate?

In most cases, physicians already have full practice coverage. Please contact your insurance provider for more details if necessary. If you are a retired physician with an active medical license, we may be able to cover your malpractice insurance. Contact Nicole Hmielewski for more information.

Do I need to be a member of the Medical Society to volunteer?

No. The Medical Society Foundation welcomes both member and non-member physicians to volunteer for Project Access San Diego or eConsultSD.

What happens if the patient presents new problems or needs additional services than what I agree to donate?

Project Access is designed for patients with a limited scope and duration of specialty need. Ideally, patients will be seen for 1-2 visits with a specialist and return to their medical home at the referring community clinic. If the patient needs additional services beyond what you agreed to donate, please contact Project Access so that we can explore other resources for the patient.

Is there recognition for my services?

The San Diego County Medical Society Foundation recognizes physicians throughout the duration of your volunteer commitment. However, we will never publicly recognize you as an individual volunteer without your explicit permission.

What hospitals work with the Foundation?

We are currently pursuing partnerships with all hospital systems in San Diego County. A listing of our current hospitals and outpatient surgical centers can be found here.

Your volunteer participation is greatly needed and appreciated! Click here for the Volunteer Forms or contact Nicole Hmielewski, Resource Development Director for more information and office staff orientation.