Hundreds get free care at RAM Clinic here last weekend
Hundreds were provided services during last week's Remote Area Medical clinic which included free medical, dental and vision at the Pickett County K-8 school.
There were people who started standing in line, bundled in blankets, braving the low temperatures Friday evening waiting until the doors opened at 6 a.m. Approximately 563 patients were seen Saturday and Sunday.
The Remote Area Medical Volunteer Corps has been a non-profit volunteer based service dedicated to providing free health, dental, vision, veterinary care to remote areas since 1985. The volunteers that participate which include doctors, nurses and support workers, donate their time and travel to many places at their own expense.
With this RAM clinic, volunteers came from as far as California and Maine. The medical supplies and medicines are provided from donations the organization receives.
The total value of care provided was $217,729. There were 130 who were seen for general medicine and 183 pairs of glasses were issued. The biggest treatment was dental with 1,002 tooth extractions, 216 filings and 49 cleanings. Special thank you to the many local volunteers who helped provide food and anything else the RAM volunteers needed. If you would like to donate to the RAM Volunteer Corps, visit www.ramusa.org