Lions of Virginia / Remote Area Medical (RAM) Project

July 20-22, 2001 were the dates for the second annual health services expedition at the Lonesome Pine Airport in Wise County, Va. Thursday, July 19th and Monday, July 23rd were the primary set-up and breakdown dates for this massive undertaking designed to benefit the poverty stricken and medically indigent in this section of Appalachia, long dependent on the coal mining industry. The Lions of Virginia (MD-24) again joined with the core Ram group from Knoxville, Tenn. to coordinate the expedition, in which 2072 people were seen and/or treated.

There were 273 Lion volunteers present, 41 of which came from District 24-A. They assisted in many aspects of the Project, including registration, crowd control, escort to appropriate health services, sight and hearing screening on the four Vans present, triage, assisting the volunteer eye care professionals in the Vision Hanger and in the adjacent eye wear dispensing tents, assisting with various general medical services, and food service for both volunteers and those seeking care.

The Virginia Dental Assoc. brought in 175 volunteer dentists, dental students, dental assistants, nurses, and technicians. They utilized one hanger and performed 2203 extractions, 444 fillings, 242 cleanings, 26 exams only, and dispensed 28 complete sets of dentures. As for Vision Services, 789 people were screened and/or examined, and 680 pair of glasses, either recycled or made on site, were dispensed. In addition to many volunteer practicing or retired ophthalmologists, optometrists, opticians, and optical techs., a large number of students and residents also contributed their services. Tents were set up for general medical evaluations, at least 319 were seen here by volunteer physicians and nurses, and for otolaryngologists to further evaluate hearing deficits picked up in the screening Vans. Health counseling services were provided, as well as specialized evaluations in Public Health / Regional Hospital Vans or Trailers. These included gyn exams, mammograms, and colon studies. The total estimated value of services provided has been estimated by RAM officials as $294,000, and this may be an extremely conservative estimate.

I think I can safely say that, without exception, all who participated in RAM 2001 came away with a deep sense of satisfaction in a job well done, and a greatly heightened awareness of the real need that exists, Plans are already underway for RAM 2002; the site most likely will be back in Wise County, the facilities at the Airport and support services available in the area lending themselves well for such an endeavor, with the added possibility of arranging bus transportation to bring in those needing health services from more distant sites than those previously served. A definite date and a call for volunteers will be forthcoming in the not too distant future. Please keep this in mind!

The government just doesn't get it.

See Worlds Apart by Cynthia Duncan
Empty Platitudes on the Poverty Tour by Bill Bishop

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• Wise County residents jam RAM Health Expedition
• Flying with Pork-Barrel Airways
• RAM Project update 2003
• RAM Project update 2002
• RAM Project Exposes massive Poverty in Wise, Virginia, 2001
• RAM Project Page

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• Bulldozing Clear Creek Mobile Home Park

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• Exit 7 Fiasco
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• Sullivan County Exposed

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