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Many students hoping to enter the medical field start volunteering with Remote Area Medical (RAM) for the opportunity to start helping patients in any way they can. By volunteering at our clinics, students gain invaluable hands-on experience in a clinical setting. Sydney was one of many students volunteering at the RAM Clinic in Clinton, Tennessee in early November.
Volunteering with Remote Area Medical
As a student on the pre-physician assistant track. Sydney sees RAM Clinics as an opportunity to make a direct impact in patients’ lives. Volunteering at RAM Clinics has allowed Sydney to talk to many patients, hear their stories, and see the impact these services make in their lives.
“I really enjoy getting to interact with patients one-on-one. And they’re always very kind and very appreciative, which I think is amazing,” said Sydney.
The clinic in Clinton was the fourth RAM Clinic Sydney has volunteered her time. She and her friends try to volunteer at clinics that are within two hours of the University of Tennessee. Sydney first heard of RAM through Future Medical Leaders, a club at her university. She has since aimed to volunteer at least one clinic per semester.
Volunteers Make a Difference
Though she may not be practicing medicine yet, Sydney is still able to connect with patients and make a difference through being a general support volunteer. General support volunteers are trained in many different areas of the clinic — no matter what skills volunteers have, there is a role for them with RAM.
Working as a volunteer has changed the way Sydney views the healthcare system in the United States. Volunteering with Remote Area Medical has let her see first-hand the need for RAM’s free healthcare services for many in the local area and throughout the country.
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“I think it has given me a better perspective on healthcare and the privilege of having access to healthcare myself,” Sydney said.
The need for Free Healthcare
The need for free healthcare is prevalent in the United States —
- 7.4% of Americans do not have health insurance (United States Department of Health and Human Services)
- 27% of Americans do not have dental insurance (CareQuest Institute for Oral Health)
- 63% of Americans do not have vision insurance (NVISION)
As an aspiring medical professional, Sydney commended the medical, dental, and vision professionals who were volunteering their time and services to help patients in need of their care. She described her experiences volunteering at RAM Clinics as transformative and expressed her gratitude for everyone making the clinic possible.
“This is a very generous thing that these people are doing. And just seeing these people come together for hours and hours. Like getting up at 3 in the morning to come here and set up,” Sydney said. “It has given me a lot of hope – I guess – for humanity. It has just given me a new perspective on things.”
Want to Volunteer?
If you would like to volunteer with Remote Area Medical, click here, email [email protected], or call 865-579-2555.
Support the Mission
Looking for other ways to support RAM’s mission? There are lots of ways to support RAM! Making financial donations and following RAM on social media are great ways to support our mission.
