Project Access Northwest announced today that its long-time executive director, Gary Renville, has been named President and Chief Executive Officer of the social service provider, which is dedicated to ensuring that everyone in our community has access to appropriate health care services.
“Mr. Renville’s new title reflects the organization’s tremendous growth under his tenure as executive director since 2017,” explains Robin Larmer, chair of the Project Access Northwest board of directors. “It will also allow him to build a new management structure to support continued growth and expanded services going forward.”
Renville is a tireless advocate for uninsured and underinsured clients receiving life-changing and often life-saving specialty care as well as access to health insurance assistance. His professional expertise has guided Project Access Northwest to the highest standards of nonprofit governance and implementation of new and evolving programs.
"Mr. Renville’s new title reflects the organization’s tremendous growth under his tenure as executive director since 2017"
—Robin Larmer, chair of the Project Access Northwest board of directors
Since joining the organization, Renville has expanded the scope, reach and impact of its services in Washington state. Under his direction, Project Access Northwest has formed many new partnerships. In the past two years alone, Project Access Northwest has received significant outside recognition for its services, including $1.3 million approved by the Washington State Legislature, to increase access to behavioral health services and to address the shortage of behavioral health care workers.
That funding has been augmented by other organizations, including but not limited to the M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust, Virginia Mason Franciscan Health, and the Verdant Health Commission. Project Access Northwest has also seen steady growth in providing care coordination for dental care and for 50+ medical specialties — from oncology to gynecology, physical therapy and more.
“For more than 18 years, Project Access Northwest has delivered critical services to those on the brink of or experiencing poverty, and those who often struggle with choices between health care or providing food and shelter for themselves and their loved ones,” adds Larmer.
Renville will continue to work closely with the Project Access Northwest leadership team and the board of directors to steer the organization to improve health care access.
Renville earned a bachelor’s degree from Oregon State University and a master’s degree from Columbia University. He serves as board chair and national conference chair of Communities Joined in Action (CJA) and as chair of the Community Advisory Board of Pacific Medical Centers (PacMed).
About Project Access Northwest
Project Access Northwest, a trusted nonprofit 501(c)3 formed in 2006, improves access to specialty health care for vulnerable and uninsured patients in Washington state. Through its innovative Care Coordination program, the organization connects patients to care in more than 50 specialties through a network of more than 1750 volunteer health care providers and regional hospital systems. Project Access Northwest care coordinators match pre-screened patients with volunteer specialists who will provide the care they need, resulting in more than 62,000 patient appointments since its founding. Through their efforts, patients show up to their appointments an astounding 97% of the time with all they need for an efficient visit.
Even with the implementation of the Affordable Care Act, the need for better access to health care services — especially behavioral health and specialty dental care — remains. Project Access Northwest remains committed to matching clients in need with caring volunteer providers and to developing innovative programs that improve health care access.