RAM stands for Remote Area Medical. This effort is coming together with community volunteers, medical professionals, Dentists, Doctors, Optometrists, and Nurses to provide free basic medical, dental, and vision services to the under-served population in Pensacola.
The event locally will be held at my Alma Matter, Pensacola High School, on December 2nd and 3rd.
These events draw thousands of people to communities around the nation; sometimes these folks wait for days to see a doctor, dentist, or optometrist because they are uninsured, underinsured and/or cannot pay for necessary procedures.
I strongly support this effort, and I have asked County Administration to prepare an agenda item for this Thursday's regular board meeting to fund $2500.00 to this effort from my District 1 Discretionary funds. This money, I'm told, will fund additional security from the Escambia County Sheriff's Department for "dedicated police coverage for this event."
This event is an excellent example of the good that can be done with BCC discretionary funds--because we have them available-- when combined with a worthwhile community effort.
You can learn more about this effort and sign up to volunteer here.
You can watch an ABC Nightline segment about R.A.M. below.
You can watch a short clip from the CBS 60 Minutes segment on R.A.M. below
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