Remote Area Medical celebrated a milestone last week by helping more than a thousand people in need from across the country.
During its 900th free clinic at Chilhowee Park, complete with a red carpet at the patient entrance, Remote Area Medical (RAM) provided care to 1,865 unique patients who traveled to the clinic from 17 states. Of these, 1,175 received dental care, 865 received medical care, and 840 received vision care.
During the clinic, RAM provided 846 pairs of brand-new prescription eyeglasses, extracted 2,135 teeth, completed 615 fillings, 202 cleanings, among other services. The total value of free care provided during the clinic was $1,061,726.
RAM said 1,243 volunteers assisted during the clinic.
The 900th free clinic went from Wednesday, Jan. 31 through Sunday, Feb. 4.
The group offers free dental, vision and medical care with the help of volunteer doctors, nurses, dentists, and other health care professionals.
Brock founded RAM in 1985 to serve as a safety net provider of free medical care in remote areas of developing countries, such as Guyana, Mexico and Haiti. He quickly realized there was also a huge need right here at home. The first local RAM clinic was held on May 9, 1992, in Sneedville to help a community that had just lost its only hospital and dentist.