ROCKFORD, TN – Remote Area Medical- RAM® — a major nonprofit provider of pop-up clinics delivering free, quality, dental, vision and medical care to underserved and uninsured individuals — will return to Cookeville, TN, this week March 20-21, 2021 to provide free care.
The free clinic, in collaboration with Upper Cumberland Community Host Group, which is made up of members of the local community and students from Tennessee Tech University, will be held at the Cookeville High School, 1 Cavalier Dr. Cookeville, TN 38501.
All RAM services are free, and no ID is required. Free dental, vision, and medical services will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis.
“Remote Area Medical is glad to be able to help bring free services to those in need in the Cookeville community. 2020 was a challenging year for most, and there is more need for access to healthcare than ever before,” said RAM CEO Jeff Eastman. “Thank you to all the volunteers who are coming to help their neighbors in need.
Services available at the RAM free clinic will include dental cleanings, dental fillings, dental extractions, dental x-rays, eye exams, glaucoma testing, eyeglass prescriptions, eyeglasses made on-site, women’s health exams, osteopathic manual treatments, and general medical exams.
The patient parking lot will open no later than 12:01 am, Saturday, March 20, and remain open. As patients arrive at the parking lot, they will be provided with additional information regarding clinic opening processes and next steps. Clinic doors open at 6 am on Saturday, March 20. This process will repeat on Sunday.
Patients should be prepared with their own food, water, medicines, and clothing, when arriving early. Bathrooms will be provided. Due to time constraints, patients should be prepared to choose between DENTAL and VISION services. Medical services are offered in addition to dental or vision services and free to every patient attending the clinic.
In some situations, such as inclement weather, volunteer cancellations, or other circumstances outside of RAM’s control, the parking lot may open earlier or a smaller number of patients served. RAM encourages everyone who would like services, especially dental services, to arrive as early as possible. *Clinic closing time may vary based on each service area’s daily capacity. Please check RAM’s clinic FAQ page for more information.
“The Upper Cumberland Community Host Group is excited to have Remote Area Medical back in Cookeville, TN,” said Eric Hall, member of the CHG. “Cookeville has little in terms of medical, dental and vision care for the rural areas of the Upper Cumberlands, and many in the community are in need of care.”
The last free RAM clinic in Putnam County was in 2019.
In response to COVID-19, RAM has incorporated and developed new disinfecting and safety processes. All patients will be required to wear a face covering and must undergo a COVID-19 screening before entering the clinic. Guests and family members of patients will not be allowed to enter the building. New air flow, disinfecting processes, and capacity limitations have also been put in place to ensure the safety of patients, staff and volunteers.
Since RAM’s founding in 1985, more than 863,000 individuals have received free services. For more information about volunteering at a RAM pop-up medical clinic, visit www.ramusa.org or call 865-579-1530. You can also email RAM’s Volunteer Manager Mary Brown at marybrown@ramusa.org.