University of Virginia Health System

The 2007 Remote Area Medical (RAM) Clinic was held July 19th - 22nd, in Wise, Virginia. Patients at the annual RAM clinic are primarily from the Coal Counties of Virginia. This region of rural Appalachia in southwest Virginia is home to people among the most under served in the state for medical services. Volunteers are needed to provide care and support to thousands of people for medical, dental, and vision concerns.

For many, this is the only medical care they receive. Physicians, nurses, allied health professionals, and other health system staff volunteers are needed. In addition to the RAM event in Wise there are two additional smaller events: a smaller health fair in Grundy and a hearing aid distribution mission that delivers and fits patients identified during the Wise health fair. Visit the Community Relations, Outreach, and Service website for more information on these health outreach efforts.

There are many opportunities to help in the months leading up to this year's event as well as during and after.

In 2006, 138 UVa Health System employees volunteered. All together, volunteers at the health fair logged the following patient contacts.

• Over 5000 medical encounters
• Nearly 7000 dental encounters
• Approximately 1000 vision encounters
• More than 1000 prescriptions and vouchers issued

The total value of care provided was over $1.2 million. The Wise RAM is a cooperative action between many groups and organizations. The University of Virginia Health System is the largest provider of medical services for the event.

Each year the number of patients seen has increased. You are needed. Please join us. UVa Health System staff  interested interested in participating in this magnificent effort should visit our internal site for additional information and the required forms.