From Volunteer to Patient  

Erika arrived at the RAM Clinic in Big Rapids, Michigan, bright and early. 

She was there with members of the Northwestern RAM Campus Chapter, ready to serve as a Spanish interpreter for patients moving through the clinic. Her goal was to help Spanish-speaking patients feel comfortable, informed, and understood as they received care. 

She expected to spend the day helping others. What Erika didn’t expect was to become a patient herself. 

After her volunteer shift ended, Erika realized she was overdue for her annual eye exam. Since vision services were still available, she went through the clinic process herself and received an updated prescription and a new pair of glasses. 

In one weekend, Erika experienced a RAM Clinic from both sides — first as a volunteer, then as a patient. 

The Role of Interpreters at RAM Clinics 

Erika was one of several interpreters serving at the Big Rapids clinic. 

Interpreters play an important role in helping patients access care. During the planning stages of a RAM Clinic, RAM staff and Community Host Groups consider which language interpreters may be helpful based on the needs of the community. 

At the clinic, interpreters assist patients in many areas, including registration, triage, and conversations with healthcare providers. They help patients understand what is happening, ask questions, and feel more comfortable throughout the process. 

For Erika, interpreting gave her a clear view of how every volunteer role contributes to the patient experience. 

“I think for me, it has really shown me that everyone plays a role in making sure that everyone has access to healthcare,” Erika said. “Everyone is important in RAM Clinics, and I’ve realized how important every role is here.”  

Helping Patients Feel Comfortable and Understood 

As Erika interpreted for patients, she heard a concern that many people carry quietly. 

Some Spanish-speaking patients wondered whether they would receive different treatment because they did not speak English. But as they moved through the clinic with an interpreter by their side, they saw that they were receiving the same care and attention as every other patient. 

For patients who have struggled to communicate in healthcare settings before, that support matters. 

Erika said many patients expressed gratitude for having interpreters available. Some shared that in previous healthcare experiences, they had not been provided with an interpreter. That affected the care they received and how they felt afterward. 

Those stories helped Erika see why interpretation is so important, especially in healthcare.  

“I think that [the Spanish speaking patients] really valued experiences they had here and also really appreciate that there are interpreters. And that RAM does care that every individual is provided those services in Spanish, if necessary,” Erika said.  

Learning Through Service 

Erika is a pre-med student who hopes to become an ophthalmologist. Her interest in health equity helped draw her to medicine, and volunteering at RAM Clinics has given her early experience interacting with patients in a healthcare setting.  

“Volunteering at these clinics has also really shown me just how diverse the backgrounds are of all patients but yet how common the conditions they’re facing are,” Erika said. 

For Erika, healthcare is about patient interaction. Volunteering with RAM gives her the opportunity to serve patients, listen to their concerns, and better understand the barriers many people face when trying to access care. 

As a volunteer, she focused on helping patients have the best experience possible. That included making sure patients felt supported and helping them move through the clinic as efficiently as possible. 

RAM Clinics are free for patients. But patients still give something valuable when they attend: their time. Erika saw how RAM volunteers work to honor that time while providing free, quality dental, vision, and medical care. 

From Volunteer to Patient  

After Erika’s volunteer shift ended, she realized she had not gotten an updated vision prescription that year. Since all scheduled vision patients had already been seen, she had the opportunity to receive care herself. 

She completed the clinic process, received an eye exam, and got a new pair of glasses. 

When asked about the best part of the clinic, Erika couldn’t name just one thing. She mentioned the kindness of the volunteers, how efficiently she moved through the clinic, and the quality of care she received from the optician, optometrist, and refractionist.  

“[As a patient,] I really got to see the care that every person puts in here, to make sure that everyone’s concerns are met,” Erika said. 

And the experience was fun, too. 

Erika tried on several different frames while fellow volunteers, a friend from her campus chapter, and optician Tom Hicks helped her choose the right pair. The group laughed together as Erika compared frames and looked for a pair that felt like her. 

Eventually, she found a pair that closely resembled her old glasses.  

For Erika, it became one of the highlights of the day. 

With another full day of clinic ahead, Erika looked forward to volunteering again on Sunday. This time, she returned with a deeper understanding of what patients experience when they come to a RAM Clinic. 

She had served patients. Then she became one. 

And through both experiences, she saw the same thing: every role at a RAM Clinic matters. 

More About RAM  

If you would like to interpret for patients at RAM Clinic and help ensure they get the care they need, please visit our website.  

Make a donation to RAM today! 

Want to volunteer at a RAM Clinic to make a difference? Register to volunteer today.    

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Read more patient stories, volunteer stories, and updates on our blog.   

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