|
RAM EXPERIENCES |
|
Three years ago, one of our Exec members, Laura Grabarczyk, attended her first clinic with RAM in Puerto Rico. Here, she shares all about this valuable and humbling experience: "My first clinic with RAM was in Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria in 2017. We participated in multiple clinics on the island with a very small group of volunteers over the course of a week. These were much smaller clinics compared to other RAM clinics, due to fewer resources available and that the clinic was planned quickly in response to the hurricane. I was mostly able to register patients and help patients select new eyeglasses after seeing the optometrist. These jobs afforded me a lot of patient interaction, and there were many inspiring and heartbreaking stories about how the hurricane had affected them. The host communities were all extremely welcoming, and would surprise us with music or food after our clinics. Overall, there were more challenges with these clinics due to the state of the island with lack of electricity, no dental services from not being able to find a dentist to come, and fewer patients that spoke English. However, RAM was still able to provide over $283,000 dollars of medical care to 1100 people that really needed it. Between hearing stories from the patients and getting close to the inspiring RAM volunteers, it affirmed my decision to want to go into medicine to help others."
0 Comments
This past weekend, Remote Area Medical hosted a clinic in Knoxville, TN and provided free medical, dental, and vision care to hundreds of patients. Here are some words from RAM@UVA President Natalie Goggins about her time at the clinic! “The Mini – Jacob clinic on August 1st and 2nd marked the first time since the beginning of the pandemic that RAM hosted a clinic with all services (medical, dental, and vision). It was great to see a full clinic set-up, as well as all of the RAM staff and volunteers together again! Over the weekend, RAM was able to finalize new procedures, including in patient registration, where we tested several methods for patient check-in and screening. It was wonderful to see all of the patients, and it was incredibly rewarding to know that RAM was back to meeting the need for affordable healthcare in the Knoxville community and beyond. Overall, it was the perfect end to the Volunternship program, and I can’t wait to see the new procedures enacted at more clinics this year!”
This month, Natalie Goggins and other interns with Remote Area Medical volunteered at a COVID-19
testing site in Louisville, Kentucky. Here are some words about her experience! “In Louisville, we helped staff a drive-thru COVID-19 testing site that was made possible through RAM’s collaboration with Walmart stores across the country. After recruiting for the site since the start of my internship, it was great to be there in person! As General Support volunteers, we staffed three stations: patient registration, patient check-in, and runners (running test kits to and from cars). Each day we administered more than 200 tests, and as of this week, RAM has administered nearly 36,000 tests across the country! RAM’s dedication to providing quality healthcare, even in the midst of a pandemic, is a mission I am grateful to contribute to. I am excited to continue making an impact with the RAM team this summer, as well as helping to stop the spread of COVID-19.” We love to hear stories from our members as they attend clinics! Another member of our chapter, Sydney Williams, attended the RAM Clinic hosted by Emporia, this past summer. Here are some words about her experience in Emporia: “Nothing is like your first RAM Clinic. The rush of running patients to and fro, learning how to set up dental chairs, all the while meeting countless new people- its exhilarating! On my first day, my mom and I worked together to set up the dental chair she and supplies (it’s definitely something we had never done before!). During the clinic days, I primarily guided patients from one station to the next as a runner and heard countless stories about the hardships that people underwent to come to the clinic. They were willing to do anything to get the care they so desperately needed. I never realized how fortunate I am, and I’ve never felt more determined to help those in these underserved areas! I highly recommend attending a RAM clinic as its a truly miraculous and humbling experience!”
Over fall break, Natalie volunteered at the RAM clinic hosted in Grundy, VA! Here are some words about her experience: “At the Grundy clinic, I primarily worked in Dental; assisting dental students with routine cleanings, and I was also able to learn sterilization techniques. Each time I volunteer, I leave feeling even more inspired: both by the patients we serve, and the dedication of the RAM staff and volunteers. Their commitment and contributions allowed us to see 581 patients and provide $276,076 in services. Thank you very much for joining us in raising awareness for RAM and all that they do!”
|
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. Archives
February 2024
Categories |
RSS Feed
