CLINTON, Tennessee — For the first time since 2018, Remote Area Medical is holding a clinic at First Baptist Church in Clinton.
The clinic is aimed at helping those who may not have access to healthcare to give them an opportunity to get medical, dental and vision care free of charge.
Local doctors, dentists and ophthalmologists are volunteering their services to the event. Volunteer Coordinator Shelley Phillips said that local tie helps people in the area.
"They're local, and so it's a way to build a relationship even if you don't get to go to the doctor on a regular basis with someone who is in your community that you already know," Phillip said.
Members of First Baptist Clinton are excited to be involved.
"I know so many people in our community and just around East Tennessee in general, especially after the hurricane that came through," Kris Hicks, a youth pastor at First Baptist, said. "A lot of people are without dentist offices, without their eye care without medical care in general. So this is a great opportunity to serve those that are struggling right now."
The event also supplies people with resources, including access to insurance providers, mental health resource agencies and employment opportunities.
"Another great thing about the event is that we have a resource center available to people," Phillips said. "So they're not only coming for these three services. They're also getting access to other members of our community that can help them moving forward."
The event starts at 6:30 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 2, and runs while resources are available into Sunday, according to Johanna Whitley, a media spokesperson for First Baptist Clinton. Patients are seen on a first-come, first-served basis.
"We don't really put an ending time, it's as long as we can go and have doctors and hygienists to support the crowd so to speak," Whitley said.
The event is available for all ages and is completely free to the public. No IDs are required. You can find more information on RAM's website at this link.