Volunteers
Operation Access is a volunteer-driven organization. The surgery teams, interpreters, administrators, and other key participants all donate their time and resources to help change the lives of OA patients in their local communities. This page includes information on volunteer opportunities and recognition. Become a Volunteer.
As a practicing surgeon or specialist, you can donate your time and expertise directly to OA patients at participating medical centers. As a retired doctor, you can get involved as an OA Ambassador to help raise awareness of Operation Access among your peers and encourage others to participate.
Anesthesia Providers, Nurses, & Technicians
Volunteer opportunites vary by hospital system, and there are a number of ways to volunteer, either directly or as an OA Ambassador. Volunteers are generally needed in the following departments: Anesthesia, Operating Room, Gastroenterology, PACU, ASU, Environmental Services, and Sterile Processing.
Interpreter & Translators
Opportunities to provide language assistance await you both in the OA office and on-site at medical appointments. Desired languages are Spanish, Portuguese, Mandarin, and Cantonese.
Administrative
A number of miscellaneous volunteer opportunities exist from time to time, in arease like fundraising, event planning, photography and videography, communications, website, and OA Board of Directors. If you have other skills not listed here and would like to volunteer with Operation Access, please contact us!
Volunteer of the Quarter
Thuc Hua-Frank is an OR Technician at Kaiser Santa Rosa, and has attended each of the last five surgery sessions. Everyone knows they can count on her to be there, and help generate enthusiasm. Thuc immigrated to the United States from Vietnam in her early 20s, having first stayed at a refugee camp in Indonesia for 6 months. Thuc eventually found her way to California, working as a computer programmer and electronic technician, but found her true calling in 2005 when she went to school to become a Certified Operating Room Technician and took a job at Kaiser Santa Rosa. "Doing Operation Access is the first time in my life that I've volunteered," says Thuc. "It was a totally new concept for me. When I noticed other groups doing Operation Access, I said, 'hey what's that all about.' Then I tried it, and it felt so amazing in my heart, knowing that I was giving back to the community. I feel lucky that I have the ability to help people in this way, and look forward to doing it every time."