The annual Pahrump Remote Area Medical (RAM) Clinic, a highly anticipated event, is gearing up for its ninth year, offering essential medical, dental, and vision services to underserved populations in the area. This free, community-driven clinic, part of the international RAM network, brings together hundreds of volunteers and medical professionals to serve those in need without asking for identification, income verification, or insurance information.
Ryan Muccio, a member of the Community Host Group (CHG), is a key figure in organizing the event. As Ryan explains, “RAM stands for Remote Area Medical, and they are an international nonprofit providing pop-up clinics. While they’ve expanded their focus to the United States due to the growing need, they still conduct missions globally.” The Pahrump clinic will be held at Pahrump Valley High School’s Pathways building, as it has for many years.
The event, which is scheduled for the first weekend of October each year, has become a fixture in the community. “This will be our ninth year hosting in Pahrump, and we’ve also done one in Tonopah,” said Ryan, highlighting the long-standing commitment to providing these critical services. He acknowledges the extensive support required to make it happen, as the Community Host Group includes local leaders and healthcare providers who collaborate to ensure the clinic’s success.
One of the driving forces behind bringing RAM to Pahrump was the vision of Stacy Smith, CEO of NyE Communities Coalition, who volunteered at a RAM clinic in Las Vegas years ago. Her experience inspired her to bring the clinic to Nye County. Ryan credits her for sparking the idea, and the local community has rallied behind the cause ever since. “Stacy was so amazed by what she saw and what she was able to do, she called me and said we should do this here, and from there, it all took off,” Ryan said.
Ryan emphasized the importance of these clinics for Nye County, which is classified as a Health Professional Shortage Area (HRSA) in all three areas of medical, dental, and vision care. “The need is huge. Many people here are uninsured or underinsured, and some immigrants may not have access to healthcare. We don’t ask any questions – no ID, no income verification. People can just show up and get the help they need,” Ryan said.
The clinic’s success relies heavily on volunteers, and Ryan explained the ongoing challenges they face in recruiting enough help. “We typically need around 300 volunteers, and we’re currently about 100 short for this year,” he said.
For those interested in volunteering, Ryan explained that registration is simple and open to everyone, regardless of medical background. “You don’t have to be a doctor or dentist to help. We need volunteers for a wide range of tasks, including food service, patient check-in, paperwork, parking management, and general support,” he said. Volunteers can register online at the RAM website by visiting ramusa.org and selecting the Nevada event. The website will guide volunteers through the registration process, which includes providing contact information and selecting available shifts. Volunteers aged 18 and older can work inside the clinic, while those as young as 14 can help with tasks outside, such as parking and food service, as long as they are supervised by a responsible adult.
Despite the significant volunteer need, Ryan remains optimistic. “Each year is different – sometimes we’re overwhelmed with volunteers, and other years we struggle. But the community always comes through. We just make it work,” he said. For those unable to volunteer full days, Ryan suggests group volunteering, where members can rotate shifts and train each other upon shift change.
The event also coincides with PVHS’s Homecoming festivities, but Ryan assures there won’t be any logistical issues, as the clinic uses a separate parking lot and spaces for patients to line up.
One of the most impactful aspects of the clinic is its ability to change lives. Ryan shared a touching story of a woman who needed a liver transplant but couldn’t get it due to infected teeth needing to be extracted, which Medicaid wouldn’t cover. “She came to RAM, got her teeth pulled, and eventually received her liver transplant. It’s moments like that which remind us why we do this,” Ryan said. Dr. Sean Yim, from Affordable Family Dental, has been an unwavering supporter of the clinic. “He’s been there every year, even on his daughter’s birthday, and last year alone, he did over $50,000 worth of denture work for free,” Ryan added.
In addition to dental care, which includes extractions, fillings, cleanings, and X-rays, the clinic offers an array of medical services aimed at addressing the diverse healthcare needs of the community. These services include women’s health exams, such as pap smears, and free mammogram certificates that can be redeemed at the local hospital. General medical checks are also available, allowing patients to have their vital signs monitored, and receive guidance on managing chronic conditions. For those in need of medications, the clinic provides prescription refills, with the exception of controlled substances like narcotics.
Vision care is another essential service in high demand, featuring comprehensive eye exams and the on-site production of eyeglasses. “In most cases, people can choose their frames and come back later in the day or the next day to pick up their new glasses,” Ryan said. However, those with particularly strong prescriptions may need to wait longer for their glasses, as some lenses require special orders from the RAM lab.
Mental health services are a distinctive feature of the Pahrump RAM Clinic, which has offered them each year—something not typically provided at most RAM clinics. Licensed clinical social workers, therapists, and drug and alcohol counselors are on-site to assist patients, offering immediate support and connecting individuals to long-term mental health resources to ensure ongoing care beyond the event. “We don’t offer psychiatric medications on-site, but we can link people to the appropriate resources for further help,” Ryan explained. The inclusion of these mental health services sets the Pahrump clinic apart and underscores its commitment to addressing a wide range of healthcare needs in the community.
A key component of the Pahrump RAM Clinic’s success is the state-of-the-art equipment RAM brings to each event. The organization arrives with a large semi-truck carrying everything needed to set up a fully functioning medical, dental, and vision clinic. “The way they pack that truck is like a game of Tetris,” Ryan joked, highlighting RAM’s precision and efficiency down to what seems like inches. Once emptied, the semi-truck itself transforms into the vision lab, where eyeglasses are crafted on-site for patients. Inside, the truck carries all the necessary tools, from dental chairs and X-ray machines to sterilization equipment, allowing the clinic to operate at the same high standards as any established medical facility.
To further support patients, the clinic hosts a resource section where local organizations provide information about available welfare, housing assistance, and other social services. This area is designed to help patients access the broader support networks available in the community, offering a holistic approach to health and wellness.
Ryan emphasized the need for help, particularly with setting up and tearing down the clinic. “Tear down is where we really need the most help. By the end of the clinic, everyone is exhausted after running on just a few hours of sleep for days, so fresh hands for tear down would be super appreciated,” he said. Volunteers are welcome to show up on Sunday around noon to assist with the tear down process, even if they haven’t pre-registered. “It’s tough work, but many hands make light work, and we’re always grateful for anyone who can pitch in.”
The impact of the Pahrump RAM Clinic has been enormous. “Over the past eight years, we’ve served over 3,312 patients, with a total value of care exceeding $1.6 million,” Ryan shared proudly. The clinic relies heavily on donations to cover its annual budget of approximately $50,000, which is used to fund essential services and logistics for the event. Ryan is actively involved in fundraising efforts and highlighted the tremendous support from key donors. “We have several local businesses that consistently contribute to the clinic each year,” Ryan said. “Their ongoing support, whether through donations or providing meals for volunteers, plays a crucial role in helping us meet our goals and ensure the clinic runs smoothly.”
In addition to these larger donations, many local businesses and organizations provide in-kind services, such as Saddle West and Holiday Inn, which offer free rooms for out-of-town medical professionals volunteering at the clinic. “We need about 35 to 40 rooms for doctors and other providers who travel in, and the hotels have been amazing in providing those rooms at no cost,” Ryan added. He emphasized that every donation, large or small, makes a difference. “Even $5 helps. It could go toward snacks or drinks for volunteers, so no contribution is too little.”
In-kind donations, such as services or supplies, are equally valuable, helping the clinic run smoothly while reducing costs. For anyone looking to donate, you can visit NyECC’s campus at 1020 E Wilson Rd, across from the School District Office and let them know your donation is for RAM.
Looking ahead, there are no immediate plans to expand the clinic beyond its annual schedule, but Ryan is grateful that Pahrump is one of the few communities to host a yearly RAM event. “RAM usually doesn’t do annual clinics in the same location,” he said. “They are usually one and done, so we are very fortunate.”
Ryan’s passion for RAM is palpable. “I don’t know what life would be like without RAM,” he said. “We plan all year for this, and at the end of the weekend, when we’ve helped 400 plus people, it’s all worth it. These are our neighbors, and there’s no judgment. If you’re in pain, we’re here to help.”
The 2024 Pahrump RAM Clinic will be open on Saturday, October 5 from 6a.m. to 5p.m., and on Sunday, October 6 from 6a.m. to around 2p.m.. Volunteers will begin checking patients in as early as midnight on both days, and patients can line up in their cars along Mt. Charleston toward Pahrump Valley Blvd.
For those seeking dental and vision services, it’s important to arrive early. Ryan advises patients to line up as early as possible, as these services are offered on a first-come, first-served basis. “The clinic opens at 6 a.m. on both days, but many patients begin lining up as early as midnight or even the night before,” Ryan explained. Patients needing dental or vision care should plan to arrive no later than midnight to secure a place in line. However, medical services are more flexible, and Ryan suggests that those coming solely for medical care can arrive later in the day without waiting overnight. For mental health services, patients can also come during clinic hours without waiting in line. Tickets are distributed upon arrival, and it’s important to note that dental and vision services cannot be provided on the same day, but medical care can be combined with either service.
For those interested in volunteering or donating, more information can be found at RAM’s website or through the NyE Communities Coalition.
