Remote Area Medical is actively recruiting volunteers for a free healthcare clinic scheduled to take place at Cookeville High School in March.
Clinic Coordinator Brad Sands said the event offers dental, vision, and medical services to the community without requiring insurance or identification. While the University of Buffalo is traveling to the region to assist, the organization requires additional local support to meet patient demand.
“We could not do this without our volunteer core coming out and sacrificing their time to help the community,” Sands said, “And you don’t have to be a professional provider to come and volunteer.”
The clinic will operate on a first-come, first-served basis at 1 Cavalier Drive, with the parking lot opening no later than midnight the day before. Sands said the team needs general support roles as well as professional dental, medical, and vision providers.
“It’s really hard to get vision providers to come out, so if anybody is willing to come out and volunteer, I promise you’re going to have a great time and really going to help the community,” Sands said.
Sands said the clinic is designed to assist individuals who face gaps in healthcare coverage or cannot afford necessary procedures. He noted that patients can receive care regardless of their financial situation or documentation status.
“We’re there to fill that gap, we’re there to help these folks get access to the healthcare maybe they don’t have access to, maybe they can’t afford the access they have, and we’re there to help them, make them healthier, make the community healthier, and in doing so, make the nation healthier,” Sands said.
Sands said the organization performs significant work in Tennessee because the state has volunteer laws that allow medical professionals to practice more easily than in other parts of the country. He emphasized that the need for these services exists nationwide.
“There’s a lot of helpful things on our website to introduce you to RAM and get you more familiar with it, and if you want to take part in it, highly encourage you go to that website,” Sands said.
Interested individuals can find volunteer registration forms and donation options at ramusa.org.