LOYAL. LOCAL. COMPLETE.
Residents of Edgar County and surrounding areas will have access to free medical, dental and vision services later this month, thanks to a partnership between Remote Area Medical (RAM), Longview Bank and the support of several local organizations.
A RAM pop-up clinic event will be held June 28 and 29 at Paris Cooperative High School. It will offer a range of services including general medical care, women’s health, podiatry, dental cleanings and extractions, as well as eye exams and prescription eyeglasses made on-site for anyone in need.
“There is no cost, no insurance, no identification and no money required from anyone,” Aaron Damler, Executive Vice President and Branch Manager of Longview Bank’s Paris location, said. “Everyone that comes in, does so as a volunteer.”
RAM is a nonprofit medical organization based in Tennessee. It has provided free healthcare through mobile clinics since 1985. For the past several months, Longview Bank has been working hand-in-hand with the nonprofit to set up a clinic in Edgar County, bringing a “much-needed service to the community.”
The decision to reach out to RAM came shortly after Longview CEO David Albin watched the documentary Medicine Man. Albin asked a local IT staff member Sean Mixson, a California transplant with a background in pastoral and missions work, to help make a clinic happen.
“He came back to the office and just said, ‘I want you to kind of spearhead this. I want it done. This is right up your alley,’” Mixon recalled.
Mixon traveled to Kentucky to observe a RAM clinic firsthand and was impressed.
“I was astounded by the organization of this group,” Mixon said. “They had everything down to a T.”
Mixon quickly went to work, partnering with RAM and looking into spaces in Edgar County for the free clinic to set up shop.
“Really, the reason why we want to do this clinic is because we love people. Longview Capital Corporation now has 20 locations, and we service the financial needs of people. But Dave’s heart, and the bank’s mission, is to do more than just provide financial guidance and provide a bank; he wants to be able to reach out to help people,” Mixson said.
Organizing the event has been a collaborative effort, with support from Horizon Health, the Edgar County Public Health Department, the City of Paris and other local partners, including Asher & Smith, who recently agreed to fund transportation to the event.
All of the medical professionals working at the clinic, and the support roles, are filled by volunteers from both local and neighboring communities.
“This is not to take away from the health department or Horizon Health,” Damler emphasized. “It’s simply an add-on and a benefit for those residents of Paris, Edgar County and surrounding communities that need help.”
The clinic will run from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday, and from 6 a.m. to approximately 2 p.m. on Sunday. According to Damler, the Paris High School gymnasium will be transformed into a full-scale clinic, with approximately 40 treatment bays, most dedicated to dental care.
“If someone needs dental, they get a checkup and then they get treated. If they need glasses, they’ll walk out wearing them. There’s no waiting or follow-up,” Damler said.
In addition to coordinating volunteer efforts—including outreach to local doctors, dentists, and eye care professionals—Longview Bank is also establishing a fund to assist with any necessary follow-up care.
“We don’t anticipate there being much, but we don’t want someone to be stuck with a bill because they couldn’t get everything done,” Damler said.
To learn more about the offerings of RAM clinics, the mission of the bank or how to volunteer for the event, reach out to the bank at 217-465-6360 or visit the RAM website at www.ramusa.org.