ABOUT THURSTON COUNTY PROJECT ACCESS
Thurston County Project Access (TCPA) is a community-based, physician-led program that coordinates donated medical care and services provided by physicians, hospitals, pharmacies and others for uninsured, low-income people living in Thurston County.
Our goal is to coordinate patient enrollment and referrals to make a broader range of donated services available for those who qualify. This also frees physicians and other health care providers and their office staffs from tracking down additional donated services, allowing them more time for patient care.
OUR MISSION
Project Access is a program of the Thurston-Mason County Medical Society to:
- Organize medical care for individuals who are low income and uninsured;
- Acknowledge physicians’ and community partners’ charitable contributions;
- Enhance patient well-being and expand access; and,
- Decrease the number of low-income patients accessing the emergency department (ED) for non-emergent care.
OUR HISTORY
A local family practice physician named Dr. Stephen Albrecht decided to “do something” about a growing community concern – the collapsing health care safety net in Thurston County. A dedicated group of community leaders, hospital representatives, public health officials, physicians and other health care providers, and others met to specifically define the problem, and seek community support, funding and participation.
ADMINISTRATION AND GOVERNANCE
Thurston County Project Access is located within the Thurston-Mason County Medical Society, and is administered through it's foundation, the Volunteer Care Institute (VCI), a not-for-profit 501 (c) (3) organization. Project Access currently employs a Project Director, and a Referral Coordinator.
The Board of Trustees of the TMCMS VCI oversees Project Access. A Steering committee representing various partners meets on a regular basis.
It is our intent to keep Project Access based in the local community and allow it to operate with the support and involvement of many interested individuals and organizations.
CONTACT PROJECT ACCESS
Thurston County Project Access
4305 Lacey Blvd., Suite 22
Lacey, WA 98503
(360) 402-2371
www.thurstonprojectaccess.org
