More than 700 served through RAM free health care clinic hosted by Tusculum

Through the Remote Area Medical health care clinic hosted by Tusculum College on the Greeneville campus this weekend, 761 people received professional medical care completely free of charge.

Remote Area Medical is a Knoxville-based organization providing free medical care for the uninsured and underinsured.

“What an experience to be part of this project and see a critical need in our region being met by hundreds of volunteers who worked tirelessly throughout the weekend,” said Dr. Nancy Moody, president of the college.

During the weekend clinic, volunteers provided medical services, dental work and optometry services and glasses on-site free of charge. Health care services provided included comprehensive screening for diabetes and hypertension, procedures such as retinal screening using telemedicine technology, chest x-rays, pulmonary function studies, chiropractic services and some gynecological procedures.

During the Tusculum clinic, $413,494 in medical services were provided free to anyone in need, including $338,102 in dental care, $71,737 in vision care and $3,655 in medical services. Additionally, 319 pairs of prescription eyeglasses were given out. More than 6,700 volunteer hours were dedicated to the event, from more than 500 volunteers, two-thirds of which were professionals in medical-related fields. Volunteers included staff, faculty, alumni and students from Tusculum College, medical students from other colleges and universities and hundreds of volunteers from the community.

Tusculum nursing students were among the volunteers taking vital signs and making notes about patient's medical histories in the "triage" area each visited prior to getting in line for either vision or dental services.

“It was a very humbling experience to see the critical nature of what the RAM organization has adopted as its mission,” said Mark Stokes, Tusculum chaplain and planning committee chairman. “This community responded with such incredible generosity, it is impossible to thank everyone who supported the event.”

Businesses, churches and community organizations responded by donating time and resources at a tremendous level. Food for volunteers, transportation resources and equipment were just a few of the needs met by the local community, according to Stokes.

Students came from Tusculum College, University of Buffalo Dental School, Virginia Southern University, Middle Tennessee State University, East Tennessee State University, the Southern College of Optometry, the University of Tennessee, Lincoln Memorial University and the University of Alabama at Birmingham. More than 40 Tusculum College nursing students worked throughout the weekend, alongside their faculty and dean, Dr. Lois Ewen.

Dental students from the University of Buffalo received valuable experience during the clinic performing tooth extractions and fillings.

“Many of these students talked about how the experience had changed their lives, as well as giving them a learning experience that was invaluable,” said Dr. Ewen.

Dr Moody added, “What a sense of real impact was felt by everyone involved in this project. We were aided by many community organizations, including the East Tennessee Foundation, which provided a grant of $12,000 through the Dr. J. G. Hawkins Memorial Fund. I am personally awed by the students, faculty, staff, alumni,  friends and local businesses who dedicated their time, talent and resources to make this happen for those in need.”

Planning Committee members included Stokes, Dr. Moody, Dr. Ewen, Steve Gehret, vice president and chief executive officer; Audrey Brackens, administrative assistant for the School of Nursing, Health Sciences and Psychology; Jennifer Hollowell, Arts Outreach coordinator; Ronda Gentry, director of the Center for Civic Advancement, Jon Gresham, campus safety director; David Martin, director of facilities; Suzanne Richey, director of college communications; Mike Hollowell, executive director of the Greene County YMCA, and Vickie Andrew, vice president for chamber operations at the Greene County Partnership.

Patients seeking vision care were given a thorough exam and those needing new prescription glasses were able to get them at the clinic as well.