MILTON — Santa Rosa County residents may have received at least a quarter-million dollars’ worth of health care last weekend, but it didn’t cost them a cent if they attended Remote Area Medical’s free health clinic at Milton High School.
The traveling non-profit organization provides free health care to those in need. With RAM providing equipment, the event relied on volunteers and sponsors from local businesses, health care providers, churches and community organizations and government entities.
Four-hundred volunteers helped provide various health screenings, dental services and vision exams during Santa Rosa’s event.
“It’s majorly helpful for our family because unfortunately I am unemployed and our mom is the only one working in our family,” said John Engberg, 22. “So this makes it a lot easier on her.”
After receiving a medical check-up, Engberg waited for his mother to complete a dental screening in the gymnasium. Engberg said his two younger siblings also participated in health and dental screenings. In addition to one sibling receiving a new pair of glasses, Engberg said he received a prescription for blood pressure medication.
“It’s exciting to be part of this,” said Chrys Elrod, a Pensacola optician. “People are really grateful for this and it is worth working through the aches and pains.”
Elrod was one of several to work on RAM’s vision bus, where volunteers made new prescription eyewear for attendees.
Ron Brewer, RAM’s clinic manager, said RAM provided 127 pairs of glasses on Saturday and provided $197,000 worth of medical services.
“We should go over a million dollars worth of care,” he said of the two-day event, which organizers said almost 500 residents attended on Saturday and 250 attended on Sunday.
Katrina Snider, who headed the host team that provided volunteers, sponsors, food and lodging, said she appreciates those who helped bring RAM to the county.
“(RAM) comes into an area that wants to bring them,” Snider said. “We just put all of the efforts together and we tell them when we are ready and they came to us.”
RAM may return to the Florida Panhandle next year with a stop in Pensacola, Brewer said. Snider and Brewer anticipate a return visit to Santa Rosa County.
This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: 'It's majorly helpful'