Residents of Big Rapids and the surrounding Michigan counties are in for a weekend of free healthcare services, courtesy of Ferris State University's collaboration with Remote Area Medical (RAM). The event, taking place on May 31 and June 1, will offer medical, dental, and vision care at no cost for attendees at the university's Ewigleben Sports Complex, as reported by WZZM13. With doors opening at 6 a.m., individuals seeking care are advised to arrive early since services are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
The clinic aims to assist anyone in need, especially those residing in Mecosta, Clare, Isabella, Lake, Montcalm, Newaygo, and Osceola counties — areas known for limited healthcare access. In an effort to efficiently provide these essential services, no proof of ID or insurance will be required. “Mecosta County, where the clinic will be held, and neighboring Clare, Isabella, Lake, Montcalm, Newaygo and Osceola counties, are designated as areas with limited access to professional medical and dental healthcare,” Ferris State University stated. They also mentioned that "Lake, Isabella, Clare and Mecosta are also among the top eight poverty-stricken counties in Michigan."
Available health services include physicals, cholesterol and diabetic testing, along with various lab work. On the dental side, free cleanings, fillings, extractions, and X-rays will be provided. And for vision care, eye exams, prescriptions, and eyeglasses made on-site are offered to those in need. Volunteer translators will also be present to assist patients for whom English is not the primary language.
Instructors and students from Ferris State's College of Health Professions, Michigan College of Optometry, and College of Pharmacy, alongside other fields, are set to work in tandem with volunteers and professionals from the region to render the free care. This clinic stands out as a practicable learning experience and a chance for students to actively engage in their fields of study. "Attending these clinics had a profound impact on the students, leading them to advocate for a RAM clinic to be held at Ferris and serve the surrounding communities," Becky Johnson Himes, an associate professor at Ferris State’s School of Nursing, told Ferris State News.
