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Remote Area Medical (RAM) began offering Telehealth services in 2020 as a way to reach more people in need of free and accessible healthcare. Since then our Telehealth operations have grown significantly, serving more than 2,000 patients in 2024.
Telehealth Coordinator and Advanced Emergency Medical Technician Holly Smith joined RAM in June 2024. Holly is an integral part of the team, assisting at stationary clinics, deploying telehealth vehicles, setting up and breaking down events, delegating tasks to volunteers, and providing medical assistance when needed.
“What I enjoy the most is being out in the community and gaining trust and relationships with the patients we see,” Holly says. “I have a strong need to help and care for people, especially the ones that have not been given such compassion in the past.”
Bringing Telehealth & Healthcare to the Homeless Community
To reach these underserved populations, the Telehealth team currently holds clinics three days a week at Knoxville Area Rescue Ministries, the area’s largest homeless shelter, and sets up at CareCuts multiple times a month. Care Cuts began in 2016 when salon owner Marti LaRue Baker started giving free haircuts to Knoxville, Tennessee’s homeless community. The non-profit has grown to provide multiple services and resources “for the homeless and less fortunate” several times a week.
“I see people who are in pain and people that have suffered a great deal,” Holly says. “I make it a goal for every clinic to provide compassion, kindness, and the best medical care that I (and we) can provide to people at every clinic who are injured, sick, and have had traumatic experiences.”
One of those patients is Daniel, a man in recovery from substance use. “Daniel stayed outside, slept outside, had little access to food and water. I started checking in on him and eventually he started letting me provide wound care for him. Terrible infections started to heal; scabbing was replaced by healed skin,” Holly shares. “He looks well, always has a fresh haircut. His color is back in his skin, and he has no open wounds!”
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Despite continued challenges for Daniel, Holly says he comes to clinics often and is on the road to recovery. “We hug and chat about how he is doing in all his programs and with every ‘see you later’ there is ‘I love you, Holly’ and ‘I love you, Daniel.’”
The Need for Healthcare Remains Great
“The need is so great,” Holly says. “Basic needs are not met daily for our populations experiencing hard times, homelessness, drug addiction, job loss, and mental health crises. … I have seen Daniel at his worst and fortunately now at his better. I say ‘better’ because remission from drugs is a long road, a scary, and lonely road to recovery.”
Daniel is one of the many patients RAM sees on multiple occasions whose healing is apparent. He reminds us why Telehealth remains a powerful way to provide care. “It has become incredibly clear to me that our healthcare systems have failed us,” Holly says. “Even with insurance the patients we see cannot afford co-pays, make calls, or even get to and from an appointment.”
As is commonplace among RAM Volunteers and staff, helping others is part of Holly’s DNA. In addition to her work as an A-EMT, Holly also has served others as a hospital CNA, volunteered on the frontline of the COVID-19 pandemic, and assisted with hurricane response.
“I care so deeply for all of the patients I see,” Holly says. “I will hold a special place in my heart for each and every one of them.”
Watch Remote Area Medical Telehealth – Driving Care, Delivering Hope to check out our D1 mobile access unit and to meet Clinic Coordinator Kim Worley and Telehealth Manager Stephen Blackstock. Visit our YouTube channel to see more RAM Clinics in action.
More About Remote Area Medical (RAM)
To donate to RAM to help us continue providing free telehealth and pop-up clinics around the country, please click here. Make an even larger impact by becoming a monthly donor.
If you would like to volunteer at one of RAM’s telehealth or pop-up clinics, please click here. Healthcare professionals and general support volunteers are always welcome!
Have you read our other blog posts? Check out our blog to learn more about who RAM is, and what we do.
Follow RAM on social media for the most up-to-date information on the progress we are making towards bridging the gap in healthcare access in the U.S.
RAM’s free clinics make a difference in every community we visit. To find a RAM free clinic near you, check our schedule.
Tennessee residents can also find our telehealth schedule here.
