JELLICO, Tenn. — In a community without a hospital, Remote Area Medical transformed a high school into a temporary clinic.
"All we ask is that people show up," Brad Hutchins, clinic coordinator for RAM, said. "Around approximately 10 o'clock last night, we've already had, you know, just about 20 cars here waiting just to receive care this morning. So that speaks a lot I feel to the need."
According to RAM, they served over 100 patients on their first day.
"They don't only need just medical, they need dental and vision and everything they can. It's kind of like a one-stop shop," Christina Brookman, a member of the community host group, said.
Many can go months or years without care due to a lack of access to a doctor. This can often be because of financial and insurance barriers.
"Whether you ask them, you know, how long has it been since you've been to a doctor? You know, you're going to hear anything from weeks to even years," Hutchins said.
The clinic's annual stop in Jellico means more this year after the local hospital shut its doors just two weeks ago with a very short notice.
"It shows that the importance of having a hospital is a need in a community," Brookman said. "Just it's a good thing for Jellico to have this."