Free Medical, Dental and Vision Care
Free Medical, Dental and Vision Care Clinic Comes to Inglewood
Remote Area Medical will provide free medical, dental and vision care to thousands of needy
individuals in the Los Angeles area. The free clinic will be held at the Forum in Inglewood,
and will treat an estimated 1,200 people a day – possibly more depending on the final number
of volunteers and participating organizations. The clinic days will be held August 11th
through August 18, 2009. The event will be operated by Remote Area Medical, an all volunteer
501(c)(3) charity providing free care to uninsured, underinsured and indigent individuals
throughout the United States. RAM has organized and conducted 572 events to date. The local
planning of the event has included elected officials such as Congresswoman Maxine Waters,
Senator Rod Wright, Inglewood Mayor Roosevelt Dorn, Councilman Ralph Morales, Councilman
Ralph Franklin and others. The recent planning session also included community physicians,
legal representatives and residents.
Free care will be provided to anyone who needs it, without cost of any kind to the patient,
the
taxpayer or the government. There is no income test, no insurance requirement, no restriction
of any kind. Medical and non-medical personnel will all be volunteers; supplies and equipment
will be donated or provided by RAM. The Forum is being made available through the generosity
of the Faithful Central Bible Church, owners of the facility. Visit www.ramusa.org to learn
more about this organization, and click on the “60 Minutes” link to see that program’s
revealing story on RAM and its work.
The clinic is expected to include 100 dental stations, 45 medical exam rooms, 25 eye exam
stations. Dentistry will include cleanings, extractions, fillings, restorative procedures
and root canals. Prescription eye glasses will be ground and fitted on-site. Minor
dermatological and other medical procedures will be performed. Pediatricians and pediatric
dentists will be present.
Follow-up care will be arranged for those who need it, with most referrals to private sector
practices and facilities.
There will be a strong emphasis on education, prevention and self-care. Mammography, pap
smears, chest x-rays, diabetes screening, blood pressure screening, and other services will
be
provided. Healthcare foundations and agencies will be invited to distribute patient education
materials.
RAM/LA is a large undertaking, on a scale to make a significant difference in this time of
great
and urgent need. Success will depend on the medical and non-medical volunteers, local
healthcare organizations, equipment and supply donors, and others who contribute their time,
talents and resources. Church groups, equipment makers and suppliers, and hard working
volunteers are being solicited to assist. Food suppliers are also needed. Remote Area Medical
will also bring its own mobile units, resources and personnel.
The RAM Los Angeles event will be the first in a major population center and possibly the
largest healthcare event of its kind ever. The time is right, the need is great, and RAM/LA
can
be an island of help and hope for the many thousands who so desperately need our assistance.
We are contacting other organizations in the area, are receiving help from church groups,
equipment makers and suppliers, and, of course, from a group of hard working volunteers.
The RAM Los Angeles event will be the first in a major population center and possibly the
largest healthcare event of its kind ever. The time is right, the need is great, and RAM/LA
can be an island of help and hope for the many thousands who so desperately need assistance.
Visit www.ramusa.org for volunteer forms and additional information.
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