The free healthcare services will be available on May 30 and May 31 at the university’s Ewigleben Sports Complex.
Ferris State University is partnering with Remote Area Medical to provide the community with free healthcare services on May 30 and May 31. The services will be available free of charge to anyone in the community in need of physical exams, dental exams, or eye exams. No insurance is necessary to receive service. The event serves to assist the community in receiving accessible healthcare services and also serves as a hands-on training opportunity for students in the university’s nursing, dental, optometry, and pharmacy students.
According to an article on Ferris State University’s website, Stephanie Gustman, a nursing professor, was quoted as saying of the event, “Ferris State has always prided itself [on] providing hands-on experiences as they prepare for impactful careers. The RAM clinic provides opportunities to work side-by-side with professionals who are volunteering their time and expertise. Together, they will be making a real difference in the lives of people they care for.”
Remote Area Medical is a nationwide nonprofit organization that works with local organizations and volunteers to bring free and accessible healthcare to community members in need. This is the second year Ferris State University and RAM are partnering to provide these services to the Big Rapids, Michigan community.
In 2025, the university and RAM came together to provide healthcare services to 265 people, with the total value of care provided coming in around $250,000. The university expects this year’s event will draw even more individuals in need.
The event will take place on May 30 and 31 at the university’s Ewigleben Sports Complex. Any and all adults and children are welcome to receive healthcare services for free, with no insurance needed and no ID required. Those who are seeking to receive care during the event are encouraged to arrive early, as doors will open at 6am on May 30. The parking lot opens at 11:59pm on May 29 and will remain open for 24 hours.
The types of services provided through the event include physical exams, lab work, dental services like cleanings, fillings, extractions, and x-rays, and vision care, including eye exams, eyeglass prescriptions, and eyeglasses made on-site. The exact types of care will be limited to what the volunteer providers can accomplish during the event. Volunteer providers can include primary and specialty physicians, registered nurses, nurse techs, nurse practitioners and physician assistants, phlebotomists, dentists, hygienists, dental assistants, oral surgeons, optometrists, ophthalmologists, opticians, and others, and will be assisted by nursing, dental, optometry, and pharmacy student volunteers.
Becky Johnson-Himes, an associate professor in Ferris State’s School of Nursing, is leading this year’s event alongside Gustman. Johnson-Himes said, “The event a year ago was inspiring because we saw our community come together to support people who need that assistance. At the same time, we saw just how many people in our communities are going without healthcare, and how difficult that can be for them and their families.”
Mecosta, Clare, Isabella, Lake, Montcalm, Newaygo, and Osceola counties are areas with limited access to healthcare and dental care. This event will take place in Mecosta County, providing much-needed access to community members.
For more information about Ferris State University, visit the school’s website.