In a world where access to healthcare is not always guaranteed, the act of giving back can be transformative. At Sutter, some of our affiliated physicians were recently recognized for their remarkable volunteer efforts at the Operation Access Harvest & Health Volunteer Celebration in St. Helena on November 16.

Drs. Stephanie Huang, Frank Fazzolari, and Ario Barzin were honored for dedicating their time and expertise to provide no-cost surgeries and medical procedures to uninsured patients—offering not only critical care but also hope to those who need it most.

Through Operation Access, more than 100 Sutter doctors volunteer their time and expertise to perform outpatient surgeries and procedures, including hernia repairs, colonoscopies, cataract surgeries, knee alignment repair, gall bladder removal and more for patients who are uninsured and cannot afford care.

Stephanie Huang, M.D., Sutter Pacific Medical Foundation, and Frank Fazzolari, M.D., Sutter’s Palo Alto Medical Foundation, were presented with the Spirit Award, given to Operation Access volunteers who work collaboratively and rise to any occasion.

Ario Barzin, M.D., Sutter’s Palo Alto Medical Foundation, was presented with the Champion Award, given to volunteers who have effectively encouraged their peers to participate with Operation Access or who have played key roles in implementing the program at their medical center.

Drs. Huang, Fazzolari and Barzin join dozens of Sutter-affiliated physicians and Sutter clinical teams who have been honored by Operation Access in previous years.

Dr. Huang has volunteered with Operation Access for more than 10 years.

“I’ve always wanted to offer my service to those in need,” she said. “Years ago, when I was asked if I wanted to provide free surgeries and donate time to uninsured patients, I thought, ‘Absolutely!’ I have skills that can change someone’s life. It is a gift. No patient should be denied care or a better quality of life. I feel privileged that I could make a difference.”

Dr. Fazzolari, who has volunteered with Operation Access for about seven years, says the Gift of Surgery program has grown quite a bit in Palo Alto.

Dr. Fazzolari holding Spirit Award from Operation Access.

“It’s been a real boon for everyone involved at our clinic — from the nurses to the techs to the translators,” he said. “It’s satisfying for everyone involved.”

He was honored to be recognized by Operation Access for his time spent.

“I see this as a collaborative team effort,” said Dr. Fazzolari. “It’s very rewarding to be able to provide care for those members of our community who do not typically have access to it. The patients are so grateful and so appreciative of the opportunity.”

Hundreds of patients have accessed care through Sutter’s “Gift of Surgery” program, which collaborates with Operation Access to identify patients in need. Since 2009, Sutter physicians and clinicians and care teams have participated in more than 8,100 surgical procedures and diagnostics services for patients.

In the first half of 2024, Sutter and its affiliated physicians performed 224 surgical no-cost procedures and diagnostic services. The not-for-profit health system expects to complete nearly 500 surgeries in total by the end of the year.

Congratulations to Drs. Huang, Fazzolari and Barzin and thank you for your generous contributions to your communities!

Other Sutter-affiliated physicians who have been recognized by Operation Access since 2017:

Spirit Award

2022 – Michael Pezold, M.D., Sutter Pacific Medical Foundation Marin

2019 – John Paro, M.D., Sutter’s Palo Alto Medical Foundation

Legacy Award

2022 – Bryan Lee, M.D., Sutter Surgery Center Division

2019 – Kevin Hiler, M.D., Sutter’s California Pacific Medical Center, Amanda Hiler Kohlbrenner, M.D., Sutter’s California Pacific Medical Center

2019 – Daniel Goodman, M.D., Sutter’s California Pacific Medical Center

2017 – Ernest Ribera, M.D., Sutter’s Mills-Peninsula Medical Group

Champion Award

2021 – Andrew Leung, M.D., Sutter’s Palo Alto Medical Foundation

2020 – Beeman Khalil, M.D., Sutter’s Palo Alto Medical Foundation

2018 – Leonardo Dacanay, M.D., Sutter’s Alta Bates Summit Medical Center

2017 – Fung-Yee Chan, M.D., Sutter’s California Pacific Medical Center

2017 – Secily Bason-Mitchell, M.D., Sutter’s California Pacific Medical Center

2017 – Jeannie Pflum, D.O., Sutter Medical Group of the Redwoods

Above and Beyond Award

2022 – John Paro, M.D., Sutter’s Palo Alto Medical Foundation

Unsung Hero Award

2022 – Jacob Johnson, M.D., Sutter Pacific Medical Foundation San Francisco

2021 – Eric Kubat, M.D., Palo Alto Medical Foundation

2020 – Robert Haimson, M.D., Sutter Medical Group of the Redwoods

2019 – Michael Magnotti, M.D., Sutter Medical Group of the Redwoods

2017 – Andrew Pienkny, M.D., Sutter Surgery Center Division

All Hands On Deck Award

2021 – Mid Peninsula Endoscopy Center, San Mateo

2021 – Sutter Medical Group of the Redwoods – Gyn Department, Sonoma

2020 – Sutter East Bay Medical Foundation, Alameda/Contra Costa

2020 – San Francisco Surgical Medical Group, San Francisco

2019 – Sutter’s Peninsula Eye Surgery Center, Santa Clara

2018 – Sutter Medical Group of the Redwoods – GI Department, Sonoma

2017 – First Surgical Consultants, Alameda