Healthcare shouldn't be a luxury.
Since 1985, Remote Area Medical (RAM®) has delivered free, quality medical care through volunteer-powered clinics across the country. Join the mission today.
SINCE 1985
OUR SERVICES
Dental Care
RAM’s free pop-up clinics provide dental cleanings, fillings, extractions, and dental X-rays. For many patients, a RAM Clinic is their only opportunity to receive this essential care.
Vision Care
Patients receive eye exams, eye health evaluations, and eyeglass prescriptions. They can also select frames and have their glasses made on-site in RAM’s mobile vision lab.
Medical Care
RAM clinics offer a range of medical services based on volunteer specialties. Patients may receive care from family physicians, podiatrists, women’s health providers, and other licensed medical professionals.
Our Mission
To prevent pain and alleviate suffering by providing free, quality healthcare to those in need.
Our Vision
A future where no one has to go without care because of cost, distance, or limited access to providers.
Our Philosophy
Access to healthcare should not depend on geography, income, or circumstance. Remote Area Medical exists to remove barriers to care by bringing medical professionals, volunteers, and communities together to serve people directly.
We believe practical action changes lives. By organizing efficient, volunteer-powered clinics and partnering with local leaders, RAM helps communities respond to real healthcare needs while treating every patient with dignity and respect.
HOW RAM CLINICS WORK
Fueled by donors and driven by volunteers, Remote Area Medical (RAM®) Clinics bring healthcare directly to communities.
Local leaders work with Remote Area Medical to host a clinic in their community.
People seeking dental, vision, or medical care attend the free RAM Clinic.
Licensed medical professionals and support volunteers work together to treat as many patients as possible during the event.
“My vision for Remote Area Medical developed when I suffered a personal injury while living among the Wapishana Indians in Guyana, South America. I was isolated from medical care, which was about a 26-day journey away. I witnessed the near devastation of whole tribes by what would have been simple or minor illnesses to more advanced cultures. When I left Guyana, I vowed to find a way to deliver basic medical aid to people in the world’s inaccessible regions. So, in 1985 I established the non-profit, Remote Area Medical or as most people know us – RAM®. RAM is the way I have kept that promise, not only to the Wapishana Indians, but to thousands around the world in similar conditions. In other words, there are Wapishanas everywhere.”
– Stan Brock, Founder
OUR CORE VALUES
Compassion
Compassion drives our work. It shapes how we treat patients, support volunteers, and serve communities.
Respect
We value and respect every person we serve, empowering individuals to improve their health and strengthen their communities.
Integrity
We uphold high standards by engaging volunteers who deliver exceptional care and by stewarding every resource responsibly to prevent pain and alleviate suffering.
Frequently Asked Questions
The basic services can include:
DENTAL: Cleaning, fillings, extractions
VISION: Complete dilated eye exams, testing for glaucoma, testing for diabetic retinopathy, glasses made on site
MEDICAL: General medicine
PREVENTION: Breast exams, diabetes screening, physicals, women’s health
EDUCATION: Educational resources and information are provided throughout service areas
NOTE: Due to time constraints, be prepared to choose between DENTAL and VISION services. All patients will have the option of receiving DENTAL and MEDICAL care or VISION and MEDICAL care, but not DENTAL and VISION care on the same day.
We do not make appointments. Instead, we offer services on a first-come, first-serve basis.
To enter a RAM Clinic you will need a number, and to receive a number you will need to be present when we provide them in the parking lot.
We open the parking lot at clinic sites at 12 midnight. Often, folks begin arriving several hours before the parking lot even opens. We can’t tell you a specific time to come, but the earlier you come, the greater your chances of being seen by a doctor.
Once the parking lot opens, we hand out numbers as people enter.
It varies. Volunteer and patient populations determine how many numbers we distribute. For example, if 100 doctors sign up to volunteer, we give out more numbers than we would if only 50 doctors signed up.
Because our services are free and resources are limited, we only give numbers to those who are physically present at the time of number distribution.
Leaving after receiving your number will forfeit your place in line. If you return, you’ll need to get a new number.
You are not required to bring anything with you. But we recommend bringing all of the medications that you take every day, and take them just like you normally do. Because you will likely wait outside of the clinic site until the clinic begins, we suggest checking weather conditions and preparing accordingly. Since the wait can be a long one, it’s also a good idea to bring food, water, and entertainment like books or games.
Insurance is not required for any of the services we offer at RAM Clinics. All services are provided at no cost to patients.
We do not require identification.
Email [email protected] and a Remote Area Medical team member will reach out to help.
