Tennessee Technological University again hosting free Remote Area Medical Clinic

Tennessee Technological University students are busy preparing for the annual Remote Area Medical Clinic that will take place the weekend of March 16 at Cookeville High School. Partnering with the Cookeville Regional Medical Center Foundation, Tennessee Tech students and their advisor Janet Coonce, chemistry instructor, put on the free clinic that will serve hundreds of people who come from up to hundreds of miles away to receive medical care.

According to an article on Tennessee Technological University's website, John Bell, who is the executive director of the Cookeville Regional Medical Center Foundation, explained how much work goes into planning and executing the event: “CRMC Foundation partners with the student Community Host Group helping plan local support for the clinic. Volunteers work tirelessly for the two days of the clinic, and it takes a year-round commitment to coordinate meals, lodging and facility use.” The organization and planning is taken on totally by Tennessee Tech students who volunteer their time. 

Patients who come to the clinic will be seen first-come, first-serve. Patients can be seen by doctors, dentists, and optometrists. All services are provided completely free of charge. The volunteers needed on each day of the clinic will total between 200 to 300 due to the sheer number of people who come to seek services from the clinic. 

At last year’s clinic, almost 600 unique patients were seen by the medical care providers. Some patients were seen by several care providers. Dentists performed more than 900 extractions, almost 200 fillings, and 68 cleanings. Glasses were provided to 446 patients. More than 100 patients came solely to seek medical examinations. The cost of providing these services exceeded $350,000, but each patient received the services completely free of charge.

The event benefits anyone in need of medical, dental, or vision exams, and not only those without insurance. While a significant portion of those who come to the clinic every year are people who cannot otherwise afford medical services, anyone can come to the clinic and is welcome to utilize the services.

Also benefiting from the clinic are the Tennessee Tech students involved in the process, whether it be the student volunteers who help prepare for the event or the students in healthcare-related majors who have the opportunity to shadow the volunteer physicians and get hands-on experience, like nursing students who triage patients or the nutrition students who provide breakfasts.

Tennessee Tech student Alexander Coker explained how money is raised to be able to provide these services at no cost to patients, saying, “The Golden Helix 5K race each October raises money for our Cookeville RAM Clinic, chemistry student organizations and Tech Foundation Scholarships, and the CRMC Charitable Foundation matches the amount raised for the clinic.”

Anyone who wishes to donate money to the RAM Clinic may do so via the CRMC Foundation.

Anyone who wishes to visit the RAM Clinic on March 16 or 17 may do so, but must be prepared to wait in their cars overnight to be seen. Identification is not required to be seen by a physician.

For more information about Tennessee Technological University, visit the school’s website.