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Sylvia Hoffman knows what it takes to perform at the highest level.
At the 2022 Olympic Winter Games in Beijing, she helped Team USA win bronze in the two-woman bobsled. Yet while recovering from ACL surgery and continuing to pursue her athletic goals, Sylvia faced a challenge shared by millions of people across the United States: She needed healthcare that could not wait.
Without active coverage through Team USA’s Elite Athlete Health Insurance, Sylvia still needed routine medical, dental, and vision care. Then she saw a flyer at the DMV for the free Remote Area Medical Clinic in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
That flyer led her to a clinic where nearly 300 patients received care over the course of the weekend, including the Olympic medalist herself.
Sylvia’s story is an extraordinary reminder of the simple truth that anyone can experience a gap in access to healthcare.
From the Olympic Podium to a New Goal
Sylvia earned her Olympic bronze medal alongside pilot Elana Meyers Taylor in Beijing. But bobsled is only one part of her remarkable athletic career.
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Over the years, she has competed in weightlifting, basketball, track and field, and other sports. At the time of the Colorado Springs RAM Clinic, she was recovering from ACL surgery and training in wrestling with hopes of pursuing another Olympic dream.
For Sylvia, wrestling offered more than a new athletic challenge. It also offered the opportunity to build lasting relationships and a greater sense of community.
“I want to be able to build a family, meet people, make connections,” Sylvia said. “I’m able to actually build connections, keep connections, and, you know, just try to enjoy life just a little bit.”
Training also became an important part of her recovery. It helped Sylvia rebuild her mobility, improve her lung capacity, and continue caring for her body as she healed.
But training at an elite level does not remove the need for accessible healthcare. Or guarantee access to it.
Taking Care of Herself and Her Health
Sylvia was fortunate to undergo ACL surgery before losing her insurance coverage. But several other healthcare needs remained.
She needed an annual physical required for members of Team USA’s Olympic bobsled program. She also needed women’s health services, dental care, and a long-overdue eye exam.
The RAM Clinic gave her an opportunity to address those needs in one weekend at no cost.
On Saturday, volunteer medical professionals completed Sylvia’s annual physical. She also received a women’s health exam and chiropractic care—important services as she continued recovering and training.
“You guys keep me healthy so I can keep doing what I want to do,” Sylvia told the volunteers.
That one sentence captures why access to care matters. It helps people keep working, caring for their families, pursuing their goals, and participating in the lives they have worked hard to build.
Free Dental Care in Colorado Springs
Sylvia returned to the clinic Sunday morning for dental and vision care. This time, she brought her Olympic bronze medal with her.
After moving through dental triage, she received a cleaning and had a cavity filled before it could begin causing pain or more serious problems.
As the volunteers cared for her teeth, Sylvia talked and laughed with them. She brought out her medal, shared stories from the Olympics, and gave the people serving their community a chance to hold a piece of Team USA history.
The medal represented an extraordinary achievement. But in the dental chair, Sylvia was also like every other RAM patient: a person taking care of a health need with the support of compassionate volunteers.
Vision Care That Will Allow Her to Continue Training
Sylvia’s final stop was vision care.
It had been several years since her last eye exam, when she learned she had astigmatism. Clear vision had been especially important when she was training as a bobsled pilot.
“I was driving the bobsled at the time, and I figured, the better my vision, the better I’m gonna drive,” she said.
Even after shifting her athletic focus to wrestling, Sylvia knew she should not neglect her eye health. She wanted to understand whether she was at risk for glaucoma or another condition, and she needed glasses that could work with her training routine.
Contacts can be difficult to manage during a wrestling match. With glasses from the RAM Clinic, Sylvia could train without worrying about losing a contact lens and could put her glasses on again as soon as she stepped off the mat.
Getting Involved and Helping Others
Before attending the Colorado Springs clinic, Sylvia had never heard of RAM. After experiencing the quality and compassion of the care firsthand, she wanted more people to know that help is available.
“[RAM Clinics are] for everyone that needs help,” Sylvia said.
She is an Olympian, a bronze medalist, and an elite athlete who has represented the United States on one of the world’s biggest stages.
She also experienced a gap in health coverage and needed care.
People from every background can face job changes, insurance gaps, rising costs, family obligations, injuries, or circumstances that make routine healthcare difficult to access.
At RAM Clinics, patients do not need to prove that they are struggling enough to deserve help. Services are free and open to everyone. No identification, insurance, or income documentation is required.
“I’m glad I was able to get exposed to this group of people, to Remote Area Medical,” Sylvia said. “I’m glad I was able to get exposed to them because they’re doing something for other people, that they don’t have to do. And I like that because it’s coming from the heart — and you’re helping people in need.”
More About RAM
If you or someone you know needs access to free healthcare, visit www.ramusa.org/schedule to find a free RAM Clinic near you.
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