A recent report on 60 Minutes highlighted the work of the Remote Area Medical (RAM), a Tennessee-based organization that provides free medical care to people across the country. The RAM Clinic has already made two visits to Erie and is set to return for a third this fall.
Like many people, Erie resident, Fred Pope initially didn’t believe the care was truly free. But through RAM, he received a tooth extraction, a full checkup, and new glasses, services that made a lasting impact and encouraged him to give back.
“Because of how I was treated, the very next day, even with the gauze still in my mouth, I came back and I said ‘what can I do to help, because, you are helping the community, you are helping me and allow me to help others’ and so I came in and I volunteered and whatever they needed me to do, that happened and then the second year they came I also volunteered and it was wonderful because you are meeting people, they have a lot of questions, you are pointing them in the right direction and they were helped and that’s what it’s about,’” Pope said.
The RAM Clinic was invited to Erie in 2024 after community leaders recognized a growing need for accessible healthcare services. Sarah Prylinski, the head of the Erie RAM Community Host Group said the location was intentionally chosen…