Michael T. Baldwin Reports, 7/23/21
Genesee Valley Central School (GVCS) has raised over $20,000 from area businesses and organizations to provide a Remote Area Medical (RAM) pop-up clinic in the fall. The RAM clinic will deliver free quality services to underserved and uninsured individuals who do not have access to or cannot afford a doctor.
The Health Foundation for Western & Central NY provided the lead donation of $10,000 toward the clinic. Other major gifts supporting the clinic include $5,000 from Jones Memorial Hospital, $2,500 from Mobile Primary Care, and $1,500 from the Allegany County Area Foundation. Other organizations providing support include Alfred State College, Allegany Insurance Group, Angelica Lions Club, Angelica Spring Company, L.C. Whitford, Medical Transport Service, Otis Eastern, and the Hornell Wegmans.
Anne Campbell, GVCS Wellness Director and site coordinator for the clinic, took the lead on securing donations. “This past year has been exceedingly difficult for many of our local businesses, which weighed on our minds when we asked for their financial support,” Campbell shared. “The community has graciously embraced the need for this clinic by sponsoring and giving what they can. In addition to monetary donations, community members are giving of their time by signing up as volunteers. We could not host this clinic without our community’s support.”
The funds raised will be used to feed 225 daily volunteers, provide housing for RAM staff, fund clinic security, lab processing, table and chair rentals, provider malpractice insurance, biohazard waste removal, and more.
At the RAM clinic, patients can receive dental cleanings, fillings, extractions, and X-rays. Patients can also receive vision services such as eye exams, glaucoma testing, and eyeglass prescriptions; they can also pick out frames to have their eyeglasses made on-site in a mobile vision lab. Patients will have access to a variety of medical services, including women’s health and mental health counseling.
The clinic will be first-come first-served and is projected to deliver care to 400-500 patients over the course of the weekend on Saturday, October 9 and Sunday, October 10. No insurance or financial information is required. Licensed medical professionals will be providing care and services for area residents who attend the clinic. Volunteers are still needed, especially dentists, dental hygienists, ophthalmologists, optometrists, and general volunteers. Those interested in volunteering can visit http://volunteer.ramusa.org to register.
Local organizations are needed to help provide food for staff and patients. All inquiries about the clinic can be directed to GVCS Wellness Director Anne Campbell at 585-268-7933 or acampbell@genvalley.org.
