North Texas universities unite to provide free health care to underserved and uninsured population
Four prestigious North Texas universities are joining an initiative this year to provide free health care at a clinic offered by The University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth and RAM®, a national nonprofit provider of free health clinics.
HSC and RAM have partnered on the clinic for the past two years, and the Texas Christian University’s Harris College of Nursing, Texas Woman’s University, Texas A&M University School of Dentistry and The College of Health Care Professions all will send faculty and student volunteers to this year’s clinic Nov. 4 and 5 in Fort Worth.
“It is a tremendous act of caring for our community when so many colleges and universities unify as one to serve,” said Jessica Rangel, HSC executive vice president of health systems. “We are entering the season of giving, and what better way to kick it off than this incredible collaboration?”
When recruiting medical volunteers, HSC pulls from its six colleges. But since the university doesn’t have a dental program, finding dental volunteers has always been a challenge — until this year. TWU, Texas A&M and The College of Health Care Professions are sending their dental students and faculty to serve in the dental bays at RAM. TCU Nursing also will be providing services where needed.
“Learning that numerous programs were eager to send dental and medical student volunteers in support of our clinic was moving,” Rangel said. “It’s a powerful testament to our commitment to our mission: to create solutions for a healthier community.”
This is not Texas A&M’s first RAM experience. This year will be the second time it has sent students and faculty.
“We love that our students are able to volunteer at RAM again this year,” said Angela Wilson, program coordinator at Texas A&M’s School of Dentistry. “There is such a need beyond their community, and it’s so important to us that they get to see it firsthand. We hope this collaboration with HSC and RAM will continue for years to come.”
This year’s clinic will take place at the Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary Ray I. Riley Center, 1701 W. Boyce Ave. in Fort Worth.
RAM will offer free dental cleanings, fillings and extractions; eye exams, glaucoma testing and eyeglass prescriptions with glasses made on-site; women’s health exams; and general medical exams. RAM services are first-come, first-served, and no ID is required.
For more information about RAM’s pop-up clinics or to volunteer at future clinics, visit www.ramusa.org, or call 865-579-1530. To donate, visit www.unthsc.edu/ram, or call 817-456-3143.
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