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Anesthesia Providers, Nurses, & Technicians

Consider donating your time and expertise through Operation Access so that you can help those in need in your own community. Here you will find a list of volunteer opportunities for medical professionals who are not surgeons or surgeon specialists. Please read through the descriptions carefully, as opportunites vary by hospital system.
 
Volunteer Opportunities:
 
Professional Medical Volunteer: Make a difference in the lives of individuals in your own community who are otherwise unable to access specialty surgical care. You can volunteer with OA through our Integrated or Saturday models -- Please contact OA to inquire about which model your hospital uses. There is a need for Anesthesiologists, Nurse Anesthetists, OR Nurses and Technicians, PACU Nurses, ASU Nurses, Nurse Practitioners, Physician Assistants, LVNs, Environmental Services Personnel, Sterile Processors, and more!
                                   
Nurse Champion: This volunteer leadership position entails assisting OA staff with the recruitment of other volunteers who work at your medical center.
 
Ambassador: Medical professionals who work with OA’s Program Managers by placing phone calls or writing letters to prospective surgeons, specialists, or medical centers, encouraging them to volunteer with OA.
 
For further information on these opportunities click here.
 

Anesthesia Provider Profile: John Freedman, MD, Chief of Anesthesiology

Volunteer since: 2001
Medical Center: Kaiser Permanente Medical Center, Santa Rosa
Department: Anesthesia
 
Dr. John Freedman, of Kaiser Permanente Santa Rosa, has been a dedicated volunteer since 2001 and has collaborated in the treatment of many OA patients by donating anesthesia services. In addition to volunteering with Operation Access, Dr. Freedman also participates in international volunteer medical activities and is founder and President of Medical Exchange International, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting international health care collaboration for the benefit of developing nations. This work has taken him all over the world, including Brazil, Cuba, Guatemala, Mexico, Zambia, Tanzania, and Vietnam.
 

Anesthesia Provider Profile: Vinod Chopra, MD

Volunteer since: 1997
Medical Center: Kaiser Permanente Medical Center, Redwood City
Department: Anesthesia
 
In the words of his volunteer colleagues, “Dr. Chopra is a very dedicated physician who cares about his patients. He has been helping the less fortunate members of the community ever since this program started here at Redwood City Kaiser. He is a very good resource in most aspects of life.” Dr. Chopra’s good humor and dedication are valuable assets to the success of the Operation Access program in Redwood City. He has rarely missed a Saturday surgery session in the past twelve years.
 

Anesthesia Provider Profile: Ramona Chandler, CRNA

Volunteer since: 2008
Medical Center: Kaiser Permanente Medical Center, Santa Rosa
Department: Anesthesia
 
Ramona Chandler, of Kaiser Permanente Santa Rosa, has been a volunteer since 2008. Patients have found her to be a source of great comfort when undergoing their procedures. Back in March of 2009 Ramona came to the rescue so that an OA surgery session would not be cancelled. She stepped in to help when no others volunteers were available, despite having just worked a full night shift the day before.
 

Nurse Profile: Vera Ginotti, RN

Volunteer since: 2007
Medical Center: Kaiser Permanente Medical Center, San Francisco
Department: Gastroenterology
 
Vera began volunteering with Operation Access when gastroenterology (GI) procedures were first introduced as a new specialty at Kaiser Permanente. She is a leader in the GI department and goes above and beyond at every surgery session to ensure that enough volunteers are signed up to help. Vera has assisted with dozens of colorectal cancer screening colonoscopies for OA patients, some of which have been life-saving.
 

Technician Profile: Luis Ulloa, ORT

Volunteer since: 2003
Medical Center: Kaiser Permanente Medical Center, Redwood City
Department: Operating Room
 
Luis’s personality attracts others to volunteer: he is always willing to help at surgery sessions. “He loves to volunteer and has a great attitude during our surgeries,” commented an OR Nurse who regularly volunteers with Luis. As a surgical technician, he brings many skills to the table as he has assisted with surgeries ranging from orthopedic arthroscopies to hernia repairs.
 

Sterile Processor Profile: Musharraf Syed, CBSPD

Volunteer since: 2007
Medical Center: Kaiser Permanente Medical Center, San Francisco
Department: Sterile Processing
 

Musharraf – better known as “Mushii” – is one of the behind the scenes volunteers whose participation is critical on Operation Access surgery days. While he may not always be seen at the surgery sessions, his volunteer efforts to clean and prepare the day’s surgical supplies do not go unnoticed. Mushii is grateful to be able to volunteer his expertise. We recognize that his assistance is indispensable to our success.