Plans to bring a free mobile clinic to Gadsden early next year have reached a new phase, according to local community members who have been working to bring the event to Etowah County. At a press conference on Monday, they shared an update on the plans to bring Rural Area Medical to Alabama for the first time.

RAM is a nonprofit organization that operates mobile clinics to provide high-quality dental, vision and medical services to underserved and uninsured individuals who cannot access or afford a doctor. The clinic is set to be held at Gadsden City High School March 27-29, 2020.

The first phase of the plan — securing necessary funding — is about 90% complete. The committee is a little less than $6,000 short of its goal of $54,500 through pledges from local businesses, governments and organizations. According to Mark Condra, promotions chair for the local clinic, that means the committee overseeing the planning can begin the next step.

The clinic will require about 400 volunteers to help the projected 1,000 patients it will see. Of course medical doctors, dentists and optometrists are needed among those volunteers, but those in school studying for a career in the medical field and those without any medical experience at all are welcome to register to help.

“We are looking for organizations, churches, individuals. You do not have to be a clinical person, you do not have to be a clinical student,” said Angela Anderson, executive director of East Alabama Area Health Education Center. “There are going to be so many jobs that there will be something for everyone to do.”

Dr. Lew Mitchell, director and chief officer of the local clinic, said that the benefits it will provide to the community are fourfold.

First and foremost, the event will help a large number of patients who do not have access to health care, he said. It also will be a community building event.

“I think it’s good for our city and I think it’s good for our county. I think it’s good for our state, too, because this is the first (RAM clinic) that’s ever happened in Alabama,” he said.

It also will inspire and motivate students who volunteer for the clinic during their medical studies and hopefully lead them to pursue a practice in rural areas where patients do not have as much access to medical treatment.

Lastly, Mitchell hopes it brings attention to issues with rural health care in Alabama, where a number of rural hospitals have closed in recent years, further restricting access to health care.

During the press conference, Anderson said registration for volunteers was now open online and reiterated that any group or individual is welcome to volunteer.

“The bulk of the work will be done by people just like you and me: people who come in and put on a T-shirt, bring in our patients and serve them to the best of our abilities,” she said.

Volunteers also will be needed to set up and take down the clinic on Friday and Sunday during the weekend of the event.

At the RAM clinic, patients will be able to have dental cleanings, fillings and extractions; eye exams with glasses made on site; general medicine, breast exams, women’s health, diabetes screenings, physicals and more. Services will be available with no ID required and no payment whatsoever.

More information will be provided about the clinic as the event approaches, but Condra thanked the community and supporters who helped fund it. Those mentioned include the City of Gadsden, Etowah County Commission, Life Insurance Company of Alabama, Exchange Bank, Alabama Dental Association and the 5th District of the Alabama Dental Society, Gadsden Regional Medical Center, Gadsden Eye Associates, Better Tomorrow Outfitters, Gadsden City Schools, Gadsden State Community College, the Etowah County Sheriff’s Office and the ECSO Reserve Units.

There’s still a long way to go, and the size and capability of the clinic depends on how many volunteers register, but Anderson said organizers are thrilled to see the plan coming to fruition.

“This is so exciting that we in Etowah County and our area ... can come together and show what we can do for our citizens,” she said.

To register to volunteer with the RAM clinic or for more information, visit volunteer.ramusa.org