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Hundreds get free health care at RAM Clinic

Posted: Sat 5:04 PM, Mar 09, 2013

PIEGEON FORGE, Tenn. (WVLT) -- Hundreds of people showed up at Pigeon Forge High School to get free medical, dental and vision care from Remote Area Medical Clinic volunteers.

Alma Gonzalez arrived at 2 a.m. and received new glasses, along with a mammogram and dental work.

"Our family income has come down very considerably. So we don't have medical right now and a program like this definitely has helped - helps a lot," said Gonzalez.

Army veteran Bill Wardlow has been looking for work since December. He doesn't have insurance and needs to see a doctor frequently because he was type 2 diabetes.

"The doctor recommends I go about once every three to six months. Also to get my eyes checked once every six months because your prescription can change," said Wardlow.

Thanks to Remote Area Medical, he's able to see the doctors he needs to. So is Greg Miller, who was waiting to get dental fillings.

"It's been several years since I've been to a dentist. I'm self-employed. The whole economy has been slow, work has been slow. It's just not an option," said Miller.

RAM is staffed entirely by volunteers. They say helping people is more than enough payment.

The clinic will reopen on Sunday at 6 a.m. Volunteers suggest arriving by 3:30 a.m. to get a spot.


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