Tarrant County Physicians Care Celebrating Year Five
Farhan Ali, MD, is one of the many doctors at Heart Center of North Texas who volunteers for PATC. Dr. Ali and his partners have seen 15 PATC patients with issues ranging from murmurs to cardiomyopathy and other heart-related issues. Dr. Ali also shares that one PATC patient’s life was saved due to her treatment. “Without PATC, her condition would have gone undiagnosed, and her life would have been cut short by 15-20 years,” he says. We are grateful for Heart Center of North Texas and their 100% physician participation and commitment to PATC.
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medical director
A Word from Dr. Cox Kathryn assures me that we only do one of these a year. Time does fly‌ Project Access continues on. We continue to care for the people in Tarrant County who need specialty services. We continue to find an ever-present need. We continue to have fantastic volunteers who make it all possible. We do thank you.
Jim Cox, MD
Thank you
Jim Cox, MD Medical Director, Project Access Tarrant County
$9.6 Million
in donated services
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c o mm u n i t y 1
PATC continues to fundraise and be involved in the community. North Texas Giving Day 2015 was a great success and raised over $22,000 for PATC. The evening before North Texas Giving Day, Dr. Jim and Judy Cox opened their home for a kickoff evening promoting “Get up and Give.� In June, we hosted the second annual Jags and Jazz Ophthalmological fundraiser with Community Eye Clinic and Cornerstone Assistance Network Cataract Clinic. W continue to post our monthly YouTube videos with PATC patients telling about their experiences in their own words. And for the third year, we were honored to be part of the Community Hole at the PMR Charity Golf Tournament.
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1. Jim Cox, MD, PATC Medical Director; and Ann Ranelle, DO, PATC Volunteer 2. Sean Maloney and Kathryn Narumiya, PATC staff 3. Lorene McCoy, Cornerstone Assistance Network Cataract Clinic; Kathryn Narumiya; Jennifer Deakins, OD, Community Eye Clinic
Recognition
Texas Medical Associates Foundation generously awarded PATC with a grant of $7,500. TMAF funded initiatives enable physicians and their families to give back to their community and take a visible leadership role toward improving the health of all Texans. G. Sealy Massingill, MD, TMAF Past President, presented the check to Greg Phillips, MD, TCMS President; Brian Swift, TCMS Vice President/CEO; and Kathryn Narumiya, PATC Program Manager.
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Service Tarrant County Physicians: Giving a hand up to those in need $600,000.00 $500,000.00 $400,000.00 $300,000.00 $200,000.00 $100,000.00 $-
2011-12 Donated Value
2012-13 Donated Value
2013-2014 Donated Value
2014-2015 Donated Value
2015-2016 Donated Value
Total Value of Donated Service: $9,601,302.58
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v o l u n t e e r i sm Joe Todd, MD
Peter Rutledge, MD
From an early age, Joe Todd, MD, knew he wanted to help people. Growing up in a small town, Dr. Todd originally planned to be a primary care practitioner. “Where I lived, they did everything.” Becoming a physician became an interest of his while he was still in high school, but it wasn’t until he was actually in medical school that he realized he wanted to practice as an orthopedic surgeon.
When asked at what point he realized he wanted to be a physician, Peter Rutledge, MD, sat back and smiled. “I knew I wanted to do it all along,” he shared. Growing up as the son of a physician, Dr. Rutledge had the opportunity to see the benefits of practicing medicine and the value of helping others first hand. “My father, Robb, was an excellent role model for me growing up.”
“It takes so much office staff just to do the insurance paperwork,” he shared. “It’s a lot to keep running with the changes that have been made.” Then he smiles. “In fact, that’s one of the things that actually makes Project Access patients easier—no insurance!”
Though Dr. Rutledge enjoys performing surgeries, it’s actually the interactions with his patients that he appreciates the most. “I like having that relationship. Sometimes the more difficult cases with post-op complications are the best because you really get to know that patient and their family, as you work together to solve the problem. This can forge a stronger bond with the patient and their family.”
Dr. Todd always had a desire to do charity cases, but his resources were limited. Getting everyone necessary to making a surgery happen on the same page, from the hospital to the anesthesia, was nearly impossible. “It was very frustrating.” When the idea of a charity that coordinates all of the different groups together was introduced to the members of the Tarrant County Medical Society, Dr. Todd jumped on board—literally. Dr. Todd is one of the founding board members of Project Access, which began in 2010, and has been an active member ever since. For Dr. Todd and so many others, Project Access makes giving back possible. For the patients they help, it’s life changing. One of Dr Todd’s patients shared her story with us, as well as her gratitude. “I had surgery in my right shoulder because I tore a ligament; I was in so much pain. I wasn’t able to move my arm or do any type of small things with it. I am very thankful for them because they helped me get my surgery for my arm. Now, day by day I get better and can go back to do my regular movements with my shoulder. God bless everyone who works at Project Access Tarrant County.”
“At Project Access, you know they’re charity. This removes the difficulty of trying to collect payment as seen with uninsured ER patients,” he points out. All patients are preapproved before they are sent to physicians to remove many of the complications of charity care. Dr. Rutledge has now seen eleven patients through Project Access, and he’s pleased with the process. “I think it’s extremely helpful, and my staff has never had a problem scheduling Project Access patient surgeries.” Dr. Rutledge’s patients could not be more grateful for the gift he has given them. One patient said, “The first time I saw Dr. Rutledge, I knew he was the one sent to help me. I pray for him every day, and I will never forget him.”
500 physicians
and counting
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pat i e n t s t o r i e s “I had urinary stress incontinence and cystocele for about five years. At first, I was too embarrassed to ask for help, but it got to the point where it was too frustrating to hide. I had to be careful and hold back when doing things like heavy lifting, exercising, sneezing, and laughing. Things like that made me pass urine without being able to control it and I felt embarrassed and uncomfortable. Still hesitant to get that issue checked, I started going to the Northside Community Health Clinic to get my blood pressure under control. A couple of visits later I decided to tell my doctor what I was going through. He referred me to a specialist, but after I couldn’t keep the appointment for financial reasons, I was referred to PATC. I felt happy and relieved that I was able to get the help I needed. I am grateful to my primary care doctor that helped me figure out what was wrong with me and that referred me to Project Access. I am also thankful to the specialist that donated his time to help me and also his staff; they were very nice. I am happy to say that I am working again, feel more confident in myself, and glad to be restoring normalcy back into my life.” Syed Shah, MD, and PATC patient Ezequielher children.
“For the first time in many years, I feel that I wanted to dance again, to walk, to play with my daughter, to laugh aloud, to even get up in the morning. I don’t feel that I have a load I am carrying inside me anymore. I feel that I am a new person, I feel alive again. Project Access gave me hope respect and compassion, but
447 surgeries
and counting
above all they gave me my life back; through the network of doctors, hospitals, and all the medical facilities that donate their time, services and above all; care for the community in need like myself. I know that there are a lot more people with needs even greater than mine, but thanks to PATC and Dr. McCullough, I can start to live a brand new life.”
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For more patient stories, please visit our YouTube page
pat i e n t s t o r i e s “I had a hernia for over 13 years. The hernia started small and gradually grew to the size of a cantaloupe. I went to the emergency room at least six times. I would have a CT scan and get pain medication and be referred to general surgeons, but I could never follow through with surgery since I didn’t have insurance. During my first consultation with Dr. Rutledge, I found out I also had gallstones. The first time I saw Dr. Rutledge, I knew he was the one sent by God to help me. I felt really comfortable with him and compared to other doctors he was really different. He has a lot of patience and a calm manner and is really friendly. I had surgery and was hospitalized afterwards. Dr. Rutledge was there to check on me every day and would cheer me up. I remember hearing his voice in the halls before coming to my room and I knew he was there to check on me. Now, I feel better and have started to exercise. I used to be out of breath after walking one block and now I can walk two laps around the park. I have lost 70 pounds and have even gotten off some medication. For years, my hernia was so bad I could only wear dresses, but now I am happy that I can wear jeans again!”
Diana, PATC Caseworker, with PATC patient Eden and her children.
For more patient stories, please visit our YouTube page
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GET INVOLVEd Remember the hassle of charity care? We do it all for you! PATC is a doctor-run program; we respect and value your time. We understand how busy you can be.
“Today, the practice of medicine can lose some of the pleasure we enjoyed in prior years. PATC recaptures much of the joy of really helping others.” ~FH “Trey” Moore, III, MD, Urology
It does not require extra time on the physician’s part. Physicians do not have to see any more than one patient a year. S/he can see as few or as many patients as s/he desires. Every patient sent to you has been prescreened to ensure they are in need of your specialty; therefore, his/ her specialty skills will be utilized to full potential. The patient is scheduled into the doctor’s regular day. So we will not interfere with “patient flow” and you do not lose time! Our goal is to make it easy, efficient, and manageable for the doctor and the office staff. Without you, Project Access could not exist.
“Project Access is our way of telling Tarrant County, ‘We’re here for you.” ~Joseph Shelton, MD, Gastroenterology
“To a certain extent, physicians are put into this box where they are stressed out, fighting to offer care for their patients. There is a lot of negativity displayed out there but also a lot of kindness being done by good people. It’s good to get outside of the box to do something that is very good and kind. It is refreshing to be in contact with positivity.” ~Todd Samuelson, MD, Otolaryngology
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pa r t n e r s Founding Partners Tarrant County Medical Society Catholic Charities, Diocese of Fort Worth, Inc. Sid W. Richardson Foundation Amon G. Carter Foundation Care Coordination/Pharmacy Support Catholic Charities, Diocese of Fort Worth, Inc. Community Friends The Richard K. and Lois B. Craig Family Fund of the Community Foundation of North Texas Winstead PC Community Partners Hall’s Pharmacy JPS Health Network PMR Charity TCMS Alliance Foundation, Inc. Texas Medical Association Foundation Charitable Clinics Partners Baylor Community Care at Fort Worth Caring Place Christian Community Health Clinic Community Eye Clinic Cornerstone Assistance Network Crowley House of Hope GRACE Community Clinic Healing Shepherd Clinic Mercy Clinic of Fort Worth Mission Arlington Mission Fort Worth Muslim Community Center for Human Services North TX Area Community Health Centers, Inc. Open Arms Health Clinic The Alexander Vision Center
Physician Groups Gastroenterology Associates of North Texas Heart Center of North Texas PMR Fort Worth Radiology Associates of North Texas Tarrant Nephrology Associates The Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders Urology Associates of North Texas Ancillary/Hospital Support Baylor All Saints Medical Center at Fort Worth Baylor Orthopedic and Spine Hospital at Arlington Baylor Regional Medical Center at Grapevine Baylor Surgicare at Fort Worth Fort Worth Endoscopy Center Fort Worth Surgery Center Medical Center Arlington Methodist Mansfield Medical Center North Hills Hospital Texas Health Arlington Memorial Hospital Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Alliance Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Azle Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Fort Worth Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital HEB Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Southwest Fort Worth Texas Health Huguley Hospital Fort Worth South Anesthesia Services Anesthesia Associates, PA NorthStar Anesthesia Cowtown Anesthesia Association US Anesthesia Partners Ancillary Support AmeriPath Clinical Pathology Laboratories Envision Huguley Pathology Consultants, P.A. Laboratory Corporation of America (LabCorp) ProPath Services, LLP Miracalife Service Tarrant Pathology Associates
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History
In 2010, the Tarrant County Medical Society founded Project Access Tarrant County, a non-profit organization dedicated to expanding health care access and improving health outcomes for low-income, uninsured residents of Tarrant County, utilizing the charitable gifts of a network of existing voluntary providers and collaborative partnerships.
want to get involved?
knarumiya@tcms.org | (817) 632-7531 Tarrant County Academy of Medicine Project Access Tarrant County Tarrant County Medical Society 555 Hemphill St., Suite 201 Fort Worth, TX 76104
Mission
Our vision is for all Tarrant County residents to have access to a continuum of care, which includes specialty, pharmacy, laboratory, ancillary, and hospital care.
www.tcms.org/PATC.aspx Non-Profit org
US POSTAGE
PAID
Fort Worth, TX Permit No. 4341