The Remote Area Medical (RAM) clinic returned to Pahrump on October 5 and 6, 2024, providing critical medical, dental, and vision care to those in need. In its ninth year, the event served 373 individuals, marking another successful year for the community-focused event.
“Feedback’s been great, as it is every year,” shared Ryan Muccio, a member of the RAM Community Host Group. “A lot of people got the help they needed, especially in dental. Medical was really busy this year, so we got a lot of great feedback there.”
One of the most inspiring stories to emerge this year was from Cassandra, a former inmate who received services at the clinic last year. “Cassandra was able to get on the straight and narrow path and successfully graduated from drug court. This year, she came back as a volunteer, saying the clinic changed her life,” Muccio said, reflecting on the impact the event has on so many.
The event did face challenges, including last-minute scheduling issues and malfunctioning swamp coolers in the gym. However, the community pulled together to ensure the event ran smoothly. “The school district was incredible. They didn’t give up, and they got the coolers working for us,” Muccio noted. That weekend saw temperatures in excess of 100 degrees, so the fix to the swamp coolers was much appreciated by everyone at the clinic.
One of the event’s ongoing success factors is the involvement of dedicated local health professionals. Dr. Yim, a dentist from Affordable Family Dental, has volunteered every year since the clinic’s inception. “Even though the event falls on his daughter’s birthday weekend, he always makes it. This year, he brought his two daughters to volunteer as well,” Muccio said. Dr. Yim’s commitment extends beyond the event. “He not only helps during RAM, but he also has donated 10 sets of dentures the last two years from his own pocket, about a $$50,000 value, and provides follow-up care at his office free of charge.”
Volunteers are critical to the event’s success, and the Community Host Group emphasizes the importance of treating them well. “We make sure our volunteers feel appreciated. They get candy, soda, and great food. Us showing our gratitude to them is a big part of why they keep coming back,” Muccio said.
“Congressman Steven Horsford also visited the clinic, touring the facilities and meeting with volunteers and patients,” Muccio said. Having the support of so many, including elected officials is just one reason the event is so successful each year. It emphasizes the need for more resources in rural communities.
The event also draws participants from beyond Pahrump. “This year, we had people from as far as Phoenix,” Muccio confirmed.
Looking ahead to the clinic’s tenth year, RAM has exciting plans. “We hope to add hearing services and offer dentures on-site through a partnership with a mobile 3D lab,” Muccio shared. The team is also exploring the possibility of conducting blood work on-site if they can work out the logistics of purchasing a machine that will have results in three minutes. “The machine costs about $16,000 and we would need a lab and a lab manager to own that part of the clinic,” Muccio said. “It’s a significant investment, but having those results in minutes could be truly beneficial for the patients by giving the doctors helping them a more defined picture of what they are dealing with.”
To support future events, Muccio emphasized the need for community involvement. “Volunteers are the backbone of this clinic. You don’t need medical experience to help. There are also subcommittees to get involved with throughout the year,” he said. Interested individuals can contact Mike Quattrocchi at the NyE Communities Coalition for more information. “Just ask for Q,” Muccio said.
As the RAM clinic approaches its milestone tenth year, the team is grateful for the continued community support. “It’s an honor that RAM keeps returning. It shows we’re doing something right,” Muccio said. RAM typically will only bring the clinic to communities once, with the exception of Knoxville, Tennessee where they are headquartered. “It is a true measure of success that they continue to bring the clinic to Pahrump each year.”
The RAM clinic continues to demonstrate the power of community and compassion, making a lasting impact on the lives of both volunteers and patients alike.
