The Duke RAM free mobile clinic is coming to Henderson this weekend, and organizers say they are planning to provide free medical, dental and vision care for hundreds in the community.

Anvi Charvu has been involved with the Remote Area Medical clinic for several years. And now, Charvu said this year’s clinic will include more staff for pediatric patients as well as more interpreters to better assist Spanish speakers.

The clinic has grown since it first came to Henderson a few years ago. That first year, the clinic saw 120 patients. The next year, 230, and last year, there were 330 patients that received care at the clinic, which will again be set up at Vance Charter School, 2090 Ross Mill Rd.

Those increasing numbers “means we’re getting the word out to people who need it,” Charvu said.

Lara Kendall and Charvu , both Duke University students, were guests on Tuesday’s TownTalk. Kendall said patients can arrive as early as midnight before the 6 a.m. Saturday start time.

Patients can choose medical care both days, but are asked to select either dental OR vision care for one day’s visit. Patients are free to return on Day 2, however, in order to get both dental and vision care.

The clinic doors open at 6 a.m. each day and providers will see patients through the afternoon on Saturday, with hopes to wrap up by mid-afternoon on Sunday.

Since the beginning, the RAM clinic has been well-received and well supported by the Henderson community. First Baptist Church is a new partner this year and Triangle North Healthcare Foundation has been a key partner for the RAM clinic each year, Charvu said.

“We couldn’t do it without them,” she noted.

Kendall said patients will be asked to wait in their cars before the clinic opens each morning, so be prepared with snacks, water, entertainment and blankets to stay warm until the clinic doors open.

There will be a variety of community resource partners on hand to provide information to clients, and there will be fresh produce available for distribution as well.

The clinic works on a first-come, first-served basis, so Kendall and Charvu said it’s important to come early.

The army of volunteers and health care providers give selflessly of their time during these RAM clinics. Charvu called the doctors, dentists, nurses and others  “extremely kindhearted” as they donate their time to provide much-needed health care to underserved populations.

This year, health care professionals from Duke University Hospital are helping with the vision and medical clinics; dentists from UNC-Chapel Hill are pitching in on the dental side.

“We love to collaborate with schools,” Charvu said. The RAM clinic will have plenty of volunteers to assist patients, and Charvu encourages folks to come take advantage of the free medical care. You will not be asked to show ID or proof of insurance at the clinic, she said.

Visit https://www.ramusa.org/ to learn more about the organization.

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