Ten surgeons on staff at Marin General Hospital helped 59 patients last year through the Operation Access program – a non-profit organization that helps connect uninsured patients with free surgical care through a network of Bay Area medical volunteers, hospitals and community clinics. Fifteen physicians practicing with Anesthesia Consultants of Marin also provided free services to these patients.

Ninety percent of the patients received specialized procedures. Ten percent received general surgical services, like hernia repair or cyst removal.

Most patients were employed Latinos who did not speak English, according to an Operation Access report. Patients are referred through five Marin clinics.

Surgeons participating last year were: Drs. Romeo Agbayani (otolaryngology), Malini Anand (obstetrics/ gynecology), Patrick Bennett (urology), Charles Bookoff (obstetrics/ gynecology), David Galland (obstetrics/gynecology), David Goltz (orthopedic), Jonathan Levin (general surgery), Pringl Miller (general surgery), Jahangir Sadeghi (ophthalmology) and Lydia Schrader (general surgery.

Bennett, Levin, Sadeghi are also on staff at Novato Community Hospital.

April 18, 2007