Remote Area Medical Clinics

Wise County

As the sun rises over the mountains in Wise, Virginia, hundreds of people line up at the Virginia/Kentucky Fairgrounds. However, it is not the county fair that is drawing such large crowds so early in the morning. Instead, these people wait patiently to receive health care, and for most, this is the only time they will receive such services all year.

Community members wait early in line to enter RAM health fair

The 2007 Remote Area Medical (RAM) Clinic in Wise was held July 19 - 22. RAM is a collaborative effort between several groups and organizations. While people travel from all over to receive care, patients at the RAM Clinic are primarily from the coal counties of Virginia. This region is home to some of the most medically underserved population in the state.

 UVa Physcian and Student Volunteering at RAM Clinic  UVa Medical Staff Confers at RAM Clinic

 

This year, we saw and treated over 1,600 patients in three days. Our 20-bed clinic saw more patients than a busy Emergency Room sees on average in a 24 hour period. The Thursday before clinic opens, UVA volunteers convert a building at the fairgrounds into clinic by cleaning and creating "walls" with ropes and sheets. Common health concerns of this population include: hypertension, arthritis, poor dentition, depression, heart disease, diabetes, and pulmonary disease. Some patients will travel for three to five hours and sleep in their car overnight just to receive medical and dental care for no charge. For most of them, it is the only time they see a physician the whole year.

UVa Medical Staff helping Wise County Residents

UVA provides several additional services including a limited on-site pharmacy, lab, mammography, social services, and telemedicine. This year, we were able to register every patient seen at RAM with a UVA HS medical record number. This has enabled us to track RAM patients and provide better follow-up care.

160 University of Virginia Health System volunteers participated in this year's event. Their dedication enabled over 1,600 patients to be seen, totaling over 7,000 patient encounters!

The 2008 RAM Clinic is scheduled for July 24-27. Please check this website for information about volunteering.

UVa Health System CEO volunteering at RAM

RAM 2008 Team Members

If you are already part of a RAM team please visit the following link to obtain the forms you need to submit.
Forms for selected Team Members