George A. Wooming, MD, didn’t have to think twice about signing up for Project Access. When he saw an article in the Dallas Medical Journal, Dallas County Medical Society’s monthly magazine, explaining the project, he knew it was the right thing to do. He realized that because dermatologists comprise roughly one percent of physicians, people without insurance would find it nearly impossible to see one.

"I feel it is incumbent upon doctors to take part in this type of program," Dr. Wooming says. "It’s the honorable thing for doctors to do, especially because any physician is aware of the dilemma that people without insurance face."


He signed up as a volunteer physician and agreed to see a certain number of patients per year through Project Access. He also set aside what is traditionally a slow day at his office in order to accommodate them.

When Barbara Carter became his patient, Dr. Wooming says she had been suffering for quite awhile. "Her condition, hidradenitis suppurativa, is an inflammation of the sweat glands in the groin or armpit, or under the breasts," Dr. Wooming says. "The person who has it for a long time develops chronic abscesses or sinuses. This can cause multiple boils in the armpit that get large and drain pus and are painful. It’s difficult if you’re working, especially in a hot climate where you’re sweating." Dr. Wooming treated Ms. Carter with a long-term course of oral antibiotics and with intralesional cortisone injections. He provided her with enough samples of the antibiotic to see her from visit to visit. He also decided that surgery was not indicated in her case.

"She had had surgery in the past, and I felt that the surgery had caused more scars and discomfort," he explains. With the chosen course of treatment, Dr. Wooming believes Ms. Carter’s condition can be managed and possibly go into remission. "As she gets better, she’s able to use less medication and her injections taper down as well," he says. "She can manage her disease, and her life is more manageable."

Dr. Wooming, who is board certified in dermatology, has practiced medicine for a decade. He has been in private practice for five years and is on staff at Medical City Dallas and Hospital, which supports Project Access, as do Methodist, Baylor, and Children’s. He is also part of the clinical staff at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, where he teaches medical residents. Additionally, he serves on the board of the Texas Dermatology Society.

Despite his busy schedule, Dr. Wooming finds time for his Project Access patients and knows they benefit from his care. "The obvious return for the patients is that they get care and medicine," he says. Dr. Wooming believes community programs such as Project Access not only allow the uninsured to see specialists but also often provide samples of medicine that would otherwise be unaffordable.

"We give them samples, because sometimes the medicines cost more than an office visit," he says, noting that his practice also can donate services to treat minor problems, such as small skin cancers that can be surgically removed in the office.

He believes patients are grateful there are people willing to spend time to assist them and credits Project Access for helping the problem of the uninsured. Dr. Wooming has signed up to see 20 patients for the year a number he feels most doctors can handle. "If every doctor could see four or five extra people through programs like this," he says, "we could make a huge difference."

According to April Colegrove, Dr. Wooming’s administrative assistant, treating the Project Access patients is a snap. "It’s just like any other patient—no burden, no extra work," Ms. Colegrove says, adding that DCMS makes the whole process easy. "The medical society sent us a step-by-step guide, telling us what to do and where to call for help, where to send things for pathology, where to send prescriptions. It’s easy."

Dr. Wooming also notes the personal satisfaction that comes with volunteering his time and service. "You reach a point in life where you realize that not everyone is as fortunate as you," he says. "I feel better going home at night and feeling that I’ve done some small part to give back to people."