RAM Expedition

Students Adam Lassiter and Ryan Williamson assisting dentists at RAM. Union County, TN. November 14 & 15, 2009


Vanessa Fitsanakis and I took 8 students to Maynardville for two days of volunteering at the RAM clinics. RAM stands for Remote Area Medical. On our way up to Tazewell, where we stayed in a rather decrepit mom-&-pop motel, we, students and faculty alike, admitted that we were apprehensive about what we were about to undertake.

The clinic served 469 clients on Saturday and 239 on Sunday. Most of the patients received dental care or got vision exams and new glasses. Our students all participated hands-on in all areas.

Several assisted dentists who were performing extractions, fillings, and cleanings. Others did crowd control making sure that the waiting lines were orderly. Two different student teams ground lenses in a lab on site and assembled glasses.

All had opportunities to talk with the people who came for services, and they were impacted by what they experienced as you can see by their comments. "I saw a large group of people that really needed our help and it was awesome to be able to give it to them!" Katie Greatti

"I realized that I do not need to travel to other countries or states to find others in need. There are people all around us that go without necessities that we all take for granted." Adam Lassiter

I was incredibly proud of our students! They were polite, enthusiastic, and dependable. Several of them determined to change jobs for the second day so they would have the richest experience possible, and they negotiated those changes themselves. They did not complain about having to get up at 4:15 AM in order to be on site to sign in at 5:30 AM. Many RAM staffers and professional volunteers (doctors, dentists, and nurses) went out of their way to let me know they were impressed with King College students.

The images of the people we met are indelibly etched on my memory. In particular I want to tell you about one young woman, 26 years old. She came to the clinic both days. On Saturday she had 5 teeth extracted. On Sunday, 11 more. "This is the happiest day of my life!" she told Dr. Fitsanakis. "My teeth have hurt since I was 12 years old; I'm glad to have them out." I will remember her for a long time,...not just when I go to the dentist.

You can check the RAM website for more information.
http://www.ramusa.org/