For the 10th year in a row, the Remote Area Medical (RAM) clinic brought free medical, dental, and vision services to the Pahrump community, transforming the Pathways building at Pahrump Valley High School into a temporary healthcare hub on October 4 and 5. According to Community Host Group representative, Ryan Muccio, over the three-day span—including setup on Friday—454 volunteers donated their time and skills, representing an estimated value of $163,440 in service. In total, 400 patients received care, with the combined Value of Care exceeding $281,000.
Founded in 1985, RAM is a nonprofit organization that provides free healthcare to those in need across the United States, partnering with local groups that act as host committees. According to Chief Executive Officer Jeff Eastman, that community partnership model is what makes events like Pahrump’s possible. “We use a very unique model called the community host model, where great groups come together, same as here in Nye County, and reach out to us,” he explained. “They say, ‘We’d really like you to come help us with our healthcare needs.’ From there, they’re assigned a clinic coordinator, volunteer coordinator, and the journey starts—it usually takes about a year or more to organize.”
Eastman said he’s already nearly booked for 2026, but credits Pahrump’s dedicated local team for its continued success. “Most locations only get to hold one event, so the fact that we’ve been able to sustain this for 10 years speaks volumes,” he said. “For lack of a better word, Ryan’s team has flawless execution. Nye County really comes together, and they reach throughout—not just the county but beyond.”
He emphasized that the need for services like these extends well beyond rural communities. “People think our patients are just those with no home or income, but that’s not true,” Eastman said. “Almost 40 to 45 percent are employed full or part-time, 20 percent are retired, and about 5 percent are veterans. Even if you have healthcare, that high deductible and out-of-network problem can still keep people from getting the care they need.”
One of the most in-demand services each year is dental care, and one local provider continues to step up. Dr. Sean Yim, owner of Affordable Family Dental in Pahrump, has volunteered since he first learned there of RAM. “I just wanted to fill that need,” he said. “Last year we did about 15 full-mouth extraction and denture cases, and this year we’re trying to get them all done again. I’ve been practicing here for over a decade—it’s my community, too.”
Dr. Yim brings his own assistants, who also volunteer their time, noting that the effort is manageable and deeply rewarding. “It’s just a couple of days a year, but it means everything to the people we help,” he said. “I had a patient drive 150 miles just to get a couple of teeth pulled. The need keeps getting bigger every year.”
That sense of service was shared by volunteers from across the region, including Dr. Michael Sherman, a general dentist and part-time faculty member at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. “I’ve always loved giving back to the community,” he said. “It’s an underserved population, and I’m happy to offer my expertise. I’ve been a dentist for 33 years, and outreach like this is something I’ve done my whole career.”
On the medical side, local Nurse Practitioner Sherry Cipollini has been part of the RAM clinic since its inception, missing only last year’s event due to a scheduling conflict. This year, she led women’s health services, seeing 41 patients, performing 25 Pap smears, and writing 29 mammogram orders for exams that could be completed at Desert View Hospital. “It went very well,” Cipollini said. “The process was smooth and people were so grateful to be getting care, which is true every year. As long as the patients who need care get care, it’s a success in my mind.”
For Cipollini, RAM holds personal meaning. “I initially got involved because I wanted to give back to the community I’ve lived in for 30 years,” she said. “I was raised in the military and didn’t develop roots and relationships like this until moving to Pahrump. My children were raised here, my career as a nurse started here, and the support of my friends, family, and patients has allowed me to grow exponentially—both as a nurse and as a person.”
She reflected on how the experience continues to shape her perspective. “It fills my cup when we consider the barriers to healthcare—to be able to help people who would otherwise be left untreated. Everyone I come across teaches me something about myself and allows me to see new perspectives on issues I might not have been aware of,” she said.
Dr. Minh Nguyen, Medical Director of Encompass Healthcare, echoed that same spirit of compassion. “I’ve always had a passion for helping people and giving back,” he said. “Many of the people we see don’t have insurance or a primary care physician. Some are just trying to make it through the week. It’s a blessing to be able to help them.” Dr. Nguyen has volunteered at the Pahrump clinic for five or six years, often bringing his sons to participate as well.
Eastman said it’s the volunteers—both local and those who travel from across the country—that make the clinics work. “During a normal clinic, we only have two or three staff members from RAM. The rest are volunteers, including about two dozen core individuals who travel from places like Boston, Florida, and Minnesota to help lead teams,” he said. “Anyone can be part of this. You don’t have to be a medical provider. I started out as a hall monitor.”
For those interested in volunteering or donating, Eastman said it’s simple: “Go to ramusa.org. If you can’t make it to a clinic but still want to support, you can contact Nye Communities Coalition and specify that your contribution go directly to the Pahrump RAM Clinics. Every bit helps.”
After a decade of service, the Pahrump clinic continues to be a lifeline for uninsured and underinsured residents across Nye County and beyond. As Eastman put it, “We’ve been doing this for 40 years, and while we’re not the answer, we’re a band-aid that helps people get through. The beauty of this community is that they’ve built great follow-up care—so every person who leaves here has someone to call on Monday morning. That’s what makes this place special.”
