Rural Area Medical, or RAM, was founded by Stan Brock in Tennessee. Brock was one of the creators of the show, “Wild Kingdom,” and was badly injured while filming in South America. Being isolated from medical care, which was about 26 days away from where he was, Brock witnessed tribes being devastated by what would have been minor things in the United States and on returning home decided to work to deliver basic medical aid to people in the world’s inaccessible regions.

Remote Area Medical has pop-up medical clinics that travel internationally and in the rural areas of the United States. While based in Tennessee, it operates all across the United States and is open and free to everyone in need of medical, dental, or vision services, including having prescription glasses made on-site. No ID or insurance is required.

JCC is the local community host, and the Remote Area Medical clinic is co-chaired by Paula Snyder, executive director of the Cattaraugus County Campus, and Christine Schuyler, Program Director, Healthcare Initiatives, Workforce Development for the Jamestown campus.

The clinic is set for Sept. 14 and 15. On Sept. 14, the clinic is scheduled from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., and on Sept. 15, the clinic is scheduled from 6 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The clinic will provide free medical, dental, and vision services to those who cannot afford them or may not know where to go for the services.

Snyder said while the clinic is free and open to everyone, patients may be referred to other places to continue their care.

“We may refer patients to another place that connects with the affordable care act to continue their care for certain things,” Snyder said. “We ask no questions, and there may be a wait time.”

Doctors will be coming from all over the country to volunteer their time, and Snyder and Schuyler are responsible for getting donations, and feeding volunteers for those two days. There will be over 20 dental, vision and medical stations at the clinic. Snyder said they have already received “incredible assistance” from local community organizations and churches such as the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation, St. Luke’s Church, UPMC, JCC faculty and staff, and more.

Snyder has worked with Dr. Jim Mahar from St. Bonaventure University during previous clinics in 2021 and 2023, but said this year will be the first time it is held in Chautauqua County. She added that the clinic has had a lot of help from hotels as well, as most doctors come from out of state. Every person that helps at the clinic is a volunteer, and Snyder said the clinic is in need of 20 or 30 more at this time.

“It’s a heartwarming and uplifting event to be able to give to people who cannot afford medical care,” Snyder said. “It’s a wonderful event to help the local community, and there is still time to donate through the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation.”

The clinic is volunteer run, and looking for more volunteers to help. Volunteers must register on the Rural Area Medical website.

Anyone interested in volunteering must register through RAMs website, ramusa.org, by clicking on volunteer and selecting the correct clinic. Snyder said registration is required because of the need to feed everyone, and that those wanting to volunteer cannot just show up.

“It’s one of the ways people with no medical training can help give to the community,” Snyder said. “I have been a nurse for 48 years and I’ve never worked somewhere that’s so uplifting to help people in need.”

Other area churches are also helping, and there will be tables with community resources.

“RAM provides on the spot care and we want to give people the opportunity to connect with primary care, dental and vision providers in the area, along with community agencies” Schuyler said.

Community agencies that will be involved include the Chautauqua Center, the Resource Center, a group from Highmark Blue Cross, Blue Shield to help people enroll in Medicare, the Chautauqua Substance Abuse Response Partnership, and the Chautauqua County Health Department will have its mobile unit to provide information and vaccinations. All organizations will be providing information, education and referrals.

Snyder said the clinic does not happen every year, because another goal of the clinic is to help patients get established with health care and to provide resources to help them get seen for continuous care.

“We open a gateway for those who may not know where to go,” Snyder said. “It’s totally free and all you have to do is come to the parking lot by the physical education complex.”

The clinic will be held in the physical education complex, 525 Falconer St., and Snyder said the parking lot opens up at midnight both days. Patients for the clinic are able to come, starting at midnight to be seen by the people there to get a ticket and wait for the 6 a.m. opening, to be able to get in line early, especially since the clinic ends at 1 p.m. on Sept. 15.

Snyder thanked JCC President Daniel DeMarte for helping to promote and encourage the clinic. She said everyone is welcome to come.

“Come one, come all,” Snyder said. “There are no gimmicks, we don’t want your money. We just want to give medical assistance to those whose needs are not being met. Please come. It is open to everyone.”

Schuyler added to that, thanking everyone who has been involved or donated so far.

“I just want to highlight how generous everyone has been,” Schuyler said. “It’s amazing to see people come together to support this clinic in Chautauqua County, not just through donations but the volunteers and support staff have been amazing.”