Successful RAM Clinic Serves 419 Patients, Providing Over $220,000 Worth of Care
By Sarah Brezenski and Dallin Hunt
At 3 a.m. in the morning of March 10th, people from Buena Vista and the surrounding region began lining up in the cold outside the Stoddard Center for the Remote Area Medical (RAM) of Virginia Clinic, where they received free dental, vision, and general medical care. The clinic operated on Saturday the 10th and Sunday the 11th. This was the fifth time RAM has been hosted by Southern Virginia University.
According to RAM of Virginia, 126 recruited dental and medical professionals saw 419 patients at the clinic this year, and provided a total of $226,138 worth of care, without a single penny in return. In addition, 269 general support volunteers, including community members and students, made these services possible by assisting the professionals, providing food services, making glasses, registering patients, and more. In total, 917 procedures took place.
RAM’s official mission is to prevent pain and alleviate suffering by providing quality healthcare to those in need. Their vision is to be the best at operating clinics which enhance quality of life through the delivery of competent and compassionate health care to those who are impoverished, isolated, and underserved. This can be life-changing for patients.
Pictured above, Brianna Watts from Buena Vista excitedly shows off her own new pair of glasses beside her mom, Ellen Wheeler.
Chris from Waynesboro, above, had four teeth pulled and one root removed.
“I am very thankful to have this opportunity, and that people are willing to help. It’s a blessing to people with teeth issues. My problem was I ate too many cookies at night,” he said. Noting the convenience of the clinic, he added, “ It’s way easier to get them pulled (here) than to try to get them fixed.
The RAM clinic is not only beneficial to patients, but provides important service opportunities for volunteers.
John Parry, who flew in from Connecticut, has volunteered at RAM eight times across Tennessee and Virginia. He said, “It’s been a wonderful experience… There are a lot of people with needs, and I think often we don’t see those people… this is the reason I like to register [patients], to learn a little bit more about the people and what their needs are… there’s a huge need for dental.”
According to Clayton Trover, co-coordinator of this year’s clinic, the dentists often work up to 10 hours straight, standing much of the time.
Nurses Jerry Liddle, Pamela Liddle and Shannon Rhodes volunteered as as part of a service practicum for their RN to BSN program (Registered Nurse to Bachelors of Science in nursing), running a triage station.
“It’s great for the people in the area to be able to come to a place where they can get different services… they’re even doing hearing and women’s health. I’ve enjoyed meeting the people here, they’re all doing hard, good work,” said Rhodes.
“Times are tough,” Pamela Liddle said, “some of [the patients] actually have insurance but still can’t afford the copays.”
Jerry Liddle echoed her sentiment, adding, “These are really great people and they’re just not as fortunate as others. It’s great to have the opportunity to take what we’ve been blessed with and give it to others.”
Deborah Clayton , from Lynchburg, assisted in registering patients, her second time volunteering for RAM. She said, “I really hope that people will think of volunteering… it helps you understand the lack of health care services in our country and what people need.”
Many students from Southern Virginia and surrounding universities showed up at 5 a.m. to participate.
Above, Vance Christensen (left) with other members of the blood born pathogen team, also known as the “bucket brigade”, were in charge of disposing of biohazardous waste.
This event was largely possible thanks to Barbara Van Kuiken, Southern Virginia chemistry professor and secretary of the RAM of Virginia Board of Directors. She has been involved with RAM for 14 years and has been helping students get involved by organizing trips to other RAM clinics. Five to seven trips take place each school year and all students are invited regardless of field of study.
Professor Van Kuiken said, “It’s been a wonderful experience. That’s why we’ve been doing it so long. Anybody can participate… Service, I think, is one of the most important things you can do with your life and I would encourage [students] to go out and serve and just see how much meaning it brings.”
Southern Virginia graduate Aimee Thompson and Clayton Trover, ‘18, coordinated this year’s clinic and oversaw the work of seven committees, each headed by a pair of Southern Virginia students. The committees arranged accommodations, food, facilities and finances, recruited professional and general volunteers and publicized the event.
Trover said,“You don’t see this anywhere else where students are so closely involved and allowed to lead. It fits well with the school mission of becoming leader servants.”
Thompson expressed the joy she felt in being able to make glasses for patients, as she has worn glasses since she was two years old and recognized the difference they made for her.
Other people and organizations helped fund and support the event, including the community Ministerial Alliance, who provided lunches and snacks, Lowes, which provided floor tarps and bottled water, and an anonymous donor who gave $5000 this year, and donated the funds they had saved for their wedding to Southern Virginia’s clinic two years ago.
Special thanks to Aimee Thompson and Clayton Trover, Tristram Kenworthy, and all the volunteers who made this event possible!
