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When RAM was featured on 60 Minutes in April 2026, the segment helped share our mission with people across the country.
For Scott, it was the first time he had ever heard of Remote Area Medical. As soon as he heard about us, he knew he needed to attend a clinic.
Traveling for Free, Quality Healthcare
Scott drove eight hours from Indiana to the RAM Clinic in Big Rapids, Michigan. He knew it was his best chance to get the dental care he needed. He hadn’t been to the dentist in at least three years.
The past few years have been financially difficult for Scott and his family. Dental care was not in the budget.
A few weeks before the clinic, Scott developed a painful tooth abscess. He was able to get antibiotics from the clinic at his workplace, but antibiotics could not heal the tooth or stop the daily pain he was living with.
“[I] didn’t really have the extra funds for a tooth extraction,” Scott said.
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In addition to the abscessed tooth, Scott had several cracked teeth that also needed care.
Scott works full time as a trash collector in his hometown. He does not have dental or vision insurance through his job. For most of his medical needs, he can see a nurse practitioner through a clinic at work, but dental care was still out of reach.
Making Connections
Scott wanted to make sure he could be seen at the clinic, so he arrived early and slept in the parking lot for 36 hours. From 6 p.m. Thursday and waited until the clinic opened at 6 a.m. Saturday morning.
Even after arriving that early, Scott was the second patient in line. The first patient, Ed, had been there since Wednesday afternoon.
While they waited, Scott, Ed, and the other patients who arrived early began to form friendships in the parking lot. They talked, shared what they had, and looked out for one another.
By the time the clinic opened Saturday morning, they were chatting like old friends as they moved through the clinic process.
Scott also connected with volunteers throughout the morning. Between each step of his dental care, the group was chatting and laughing together.
No More Pain and a New Appreciation for RAM
“I love it,” Scott said, gesturing to the clinic around him.
Scott left the clinic with a smile on his face and two thumbs up. His first stop on the eight-hour drive home was to get a cheeseburger. After weeks of pain from an abscessed tooth, he was excited to enjoy food again, without worrying that every bite would hurt.
Before he left, Scott thanked many of the volunteers who helped him, telling them how much the clinic meant to him.
Why is 60 Minutes Important to RAM?
RAM being featured on 60 Minutes was important for many reasons, and Scott is a perfect example of why.
Scott learned about RAM just a few short weeks ago. Without the segment, he may not have known that free, quality care was available. Now, he is helping spread the word. He told his friends and family to visit the upcoming clinic in Terre Haute, Indiana. He knows access to free care could make a real difference for so many people in his community.
Scott also shared that he, his fiancé, and his mother became monthly donors after seeing RAM on 60 Minutes. After receiving care at the clinic, Scott said he was grateful to see firsthand what he was supporting.
Help More Patients Like Scott
Remote Area Medical provides free medical, dental, and vision care to people in need. Your support helps patients like Scott find relief from pain, receive care they could not otherwise afford, and return home knowing that help is out there.
Donate to RAM today and help us bring free healthcare to more patients in need.
Register to volunteer today, we can’t wait to see you at a RAM clinic!
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Read our blog posts to see even more patient and volunteer stories.
Download RAM’s free magazine.
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