my family was in medicine, but I went medical school to be a
pediatric oncologist. During my third year rotations, it became
clear that I had a surgical mindset, so I became an orthopedic
surgeon.” Dr. Bremner had a calling to help others and put his
skills to the best use. Alicia shares, “Dr. Bremner was a godsend.
I have been lucky to have been treated so wonderfully. I thank
him for everything he did for me.”
“Our patients show us what resilience really looks like,” says
Rebecca. “It is a pleasure to help patients who live in my
community.” During the past 10 years, each patient at Project
Access has given her a learning opportunity. Rebecca remembers
a moment when her grandma was on her deathbed. “I was doing
little things to keep her comfortable. My Aunt asked me if I was
a nurse. And I responded: ‘Not yet!’ Rebecca will be starting
the Nurse Practitioner program at Azusa Pacific University in
May 2020. The decade of love between patient, care manager
and many volunteer physicians, creates a full circle of gratitude,
transforming more than one life in the process.
Come join us at our 2nd annual Champions Soirée – Waves
of Wellness event at the Birch Aquarium on March 28th to
raise money for Project Access San Diego. For tickets of more
information about Champions for Health, please visit
www.championsforhealth.org.
Alicia LG and Rebecca Valenzuela,
Project Access Manager
Alicia and her many specialists, helping to shape Rebecca’s
case management strategy. Alicia spoke warmly, “Project
Access is something wonderful, they give their time and
treat you well. They don’t charge anything and have a lot of
patience with you.”
Ten years after her thyroid cancer, Alicia was again referred to
Project Access for severe right shoulder pain, and Rebecca
was by her side again. “When my shoulder first started to
hurt, I was unable to work or do chores. I did not know that
my bones had degenerated and I would need surgery.” Alicia
had a massive full rotator cuff tear that required a reverse total
shoulder arthroplasty.
Dr. Luke Bremner, from Core Orthopaedic, provided the
pro bono surgery. “Volunteer work is always gratifying - it
is the reason we go into medicine - to help people.” When
Dr. Bremner was in high school, his best friend had Ewing’s
sarcoma. He accompanied him to his surgeries and
chemotherapy visits. He wanted to do more. “No one in
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