Providing Healthcare to the Underserved / Uninsured Population Natalie Foo Brianna Biederman
Health Obstacles in Rural Areas (Specifically Wise, VA) ● Diabetes ● Obesity COPD ● Emphysema ● ● Black Lung ● Dental ● Mental Health ● Drug Abuse ● Alcoholism
Our Partners RAM and The Health Wagon
Remote Area Medical Clinic The Wise Expedition RAM is the largest and longest in the nation. On average over 2,000 patients are seen throughout the weekend.
Remote Area Medical Clinic This RAM saw over 1,100 patients in areas such as Mental Health, Cardiology, Urology, Women's Health, Dermatology, Pediatrics, ENT, Orthopedics, Pulmonology, Radiology, Neurology, Dental, Vision, and Physical Therapy.
What Happens to Patients After RAM? The Health Wagon receives all the results from RAM and provides follow-up care for all patients including vouchers for medication and free / low cost appointments at the stationary clinic, mobile clinic, or a clinic near the patient.
The Health Wagon ● The Health Wagon focuses on providing the residents of the Appalachian region with quality care without a payment. ● 98% of the patients seen are uninsured. Most of these patients make too much ● money annually to qualify for Medicaid, but do not make enough to pay for medical expenses.
What We Learned ● Organization ● Compassion ● Patience ● Terminology ● Patient Interaction Networking ● ● Rural Health Complications ● Nonprofit Complications
Our Advice to Future Interns ● Be open-minded: not everything is going to be fun, but it is desperately needed Bring clothes you do not care about, ● you never know what you will be doing that day. ● Be prepared to have days where you will feel like you do nothing and days where you are exhausted. Everyone in the office is great, make ● friends. It will make the not so fun tasks more fun.
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